Lahore (September 10, 2025):
In a fresh blow to solar power users, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has announced that only Automated Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters will now be installed for solar connections at nearly double the previous cost.
According to LESCO’s notification, the new AMI meters are priced at Rs 70,000, a sharp increase from the earlier cost of around Rs 35,000. Sources confirmed that new solar connection requests have been halted following directives from the Ministry of Energy.
The move has raised concerns among consumers who were already struggling with rising electricity costs. Critics argue that instead of promoting renewable energy, such decisions are discouraging citizens from adopting solar solutions.
Meanwhile, the issue of solar panel theft has also come under the spotlight. It was recently revealed that during 2022–23, panels were stolen from dozens of government schools in Punjab, with 50 schools in Rajanpur alone affected.
The matter was taken up in a meeting of the Punjab Public Accounts Committee-3, chaired by Tanveer Aslam Malik. Expressing dissatisfaction, Malik criticized both the Education Department and the District Health Authority for shifting responsibility instead of addressing the issue.
The committee has directed the police to launch a thorough investigation into the thefts, questioning how many panels were stolen across the province and how many, if any, have been recovered. Malik added that strict letters would be sent to the DPOs of districts where negligence was found.
Observers say that while the government is highlighting solar as part of the future energy mix, rising costs and unchecked thefts are undermining public confidence in renewable energy initiatives.
