ApnaSolar Weekly Digest: First Competitive Power Auction, Rising Tariffs, and Industrial Solar Surge
Government Bids Out First 400 MW Competitive Power Auction
On September 20, 2026, Pakistan's Ministry of Energy issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the country’s first-ever competitive auction of 400 megawatts of electricity. Power Minister Sardar Awais Leghari stated that the initiative marks the government's transition away from a single-buyer model, allowing industrial and commercial consumers to purchase power competitively from independent suppliers and grid-connected wheeling generators rather than relying exclusively on state distribution companies (DISCOs).
Expiration of Summer Relief and New QTAs Drive Rooftop Solar Interest
A noticeable increase in September electricity bills has intensified consumer interest in rooftop solar systems. The end of the temporary Rs 1.99 per-unit summer discount combined with NEPRA clearing DISCOs to collect roughly Rs 34 billion in quarterly tariff adjustments (QTA) has pushed per-unit grid costs upward. Energy analysts emphasize that despite the recent policy shift toward net billing, generating solar power for direct daytime self-consumption remains the primary strategy for households and businesses to hedge against rising capacity charges.
Industrial Sector Accelerates Transition with Large-Scale Solar Deployments
Demonstrating the rapid adoption of renewable energy in heavy industry, Bestway Cement’s facility in Chakwal, Pakistan, announced it is now sourcing over a quarter of its operational power from an on-site 26 MW solar installation, with plans to add another 6.34 MW before the end of the year. Meanwhile, industry stakeholders are preparing for the 3rd International SolarPower Conclave on September 24 in Lahore, where discussions will focus on Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), solar equipment recycling, and evolving regulatory frameworks.
Sources: