FESCO Net Metering: How to Apply in Faisalabad and Central Punjab
Net metering allows you to send surplus solar electricity to the grid and receive bill credits for it. For the national overview of how it works, read our complete Pakistan net metering guide. This page covers the specific application process for FESCO, the Faisalabad Electric Supply Company.
FESCO Service Area
FESCO serves Faisalabad, Jhang, Sargodha, Toba Tek Singh, Mianwali, Khushab, Bhakkar, and Chiniot. Faisalabad is Pakistan’s third-largest city and a major industrial hub. Textile mills and manufacturing units here have some of the highest electricity consumption in Punjab. Residential demand is equally strong, driven by heavy AC usage from April through October.
Eligibility
• Connection type: Residential, commercial, industrial, and agricultural consumers with an active FESCO meter.
• System capacity: Minimum 1 kW. Maximum up to sanctioned load.
• Meter: Bidirectional net meter supplied and installed by FESCO at the applicant’s cost.
• Inverter: Grid-tied with anti-islanding protection. IEC 62109 certification required.
• Installer: PEC-registered solar contractor with a valid licence.
Step-by-Step Application Process
1. Submit Your Application
FESCO accepts applications at its divisional and sub-divisional offices. The head office is at Abdullahpur, Faisalabad. For Sargodha, Jhang, and Toba Tek Singh, submit at the respective divisional offices. In-person submission remains the most reliable method.
2. Required Documents
• Applicant’s CNIC copy
• Latest FESCO electricity bill
• Single-line diagram (SLD) prepared and signed by a PEC-registered engineer
• System design: panel specifications (model, wattage, quantity), inverter specifications (model, capacity)
• PEC licence copy of the installing contractor
• Inverter anti-islanding test report or datasheet
• Panel IEC compliance certificates
• Prescribed FESCO/NEPRA application form
• Indemnity bond on stamp paper
3. Application Fee
FESCO charges a processing fee. For residential systems up to 10 kW: approximately PKR 15,000-20,000. The bidirectional meter cost is separate, typically PKR 8,000-15,000 depending on phase configuration. Industrial consumers should confirm fee schedules with their FESCO division.
4. Technical Review and Site Inspection
After document review, FESCO schedules a site inspection. The team verifies the installed system matches the application, checks inverter settings, wiring, earthing, and protection devices. Scheduling takes 15-30 days in Faisalabad city. For outlying areas, allow 20-40 days.
5. Agreement and Meter Installation
After passing inspection, FESCO executes the net metering agreement and replaces your meter. Total timeline: 30-60 days in Faisalabad city. Outlying divisions may take 45-75 days.
Net Metering vs Net Billing Under NEPRA 2026 Rules
Under the NEPRA 2026 prosumer regulations, new FESCO net metering connections now operate under net billing. Surplus electricity exported to the grid earns approximately Rs. 11 per unit. Electricity consumed from the FESCO grid is charged at the standard tariff of Rs. 48-60 per unit for residential consumers, and higher for commercial and industrial categories.
For Faisalabad’s industrial consumers, the economics are strong. Textile mills and factories consume electricity during daytime hours, aligning with solar generation. Self-consumption ratios of 85-95% are achievable, meaning nearly every unit offsets a full-price grid unit. SOL AI tracks this ratio in real time.
How to Check Application Status
Contact your FESCO sub-divisional office with your application reference number. The FESCO helpline is 0800-66337. For Faisalabad city, the Abdullahpur head office handles escalations. In-person follow-up at the subdivision level yields the best results.
Common Issues and How to Avoid Them
• Industrial connection complexities: Many Faisalabad applicants are on industrial tariffs with complex billing. Ensure your sanctioned load and connection category are accurately reflected. Mismatches cause delays.
• Transformer loading: Factories in Faisalabad’s industrial estates often share distribution transformers. If the transformer is near capacity, FESCO may reject the application. Verify transformer capacity with your local FESCO office before investing.
• PEC licence validity: FESCO has become stricter about verifying PEC licence expiry dates. Ensure your installer’s licence is current at the time of application, not just at the time of installation.
• Earthing standards: FESCO inspectors in Faisalabad check earthing resistance values. The required threshold is below 2 ohms. Poor earthing in sandy or dry soil conditions, common in parts of Jhang and Bhakkar, may require additional earthing rods or chemical treatment of the earthing pit.
• Stamp paper for indemnity bond: FESCO requires the indemnity bond on judicial stamp paper of the correct value. Some applicants submit on plain paper and face rejection. Confirm the required stamp paper value with your subdivision office.
Solar Citizen Handles Everything
Every solar system we install in FESCO territory includes the full net metering application at no additional cost. We prepare all technical documentation, submit the application at the correct FESCO office, coordinate the inspection visit, and follow up until your bidirectional meter is installed and active. Our team is experienced with FESCO’s processes in Faisalabad, Sargodha, and Jhang.
For industrial clients in Faisalabad, we also provide detailed feasibility reports that project ROI under the new net billing framework, accounting for your specific tariff category and load profile.
Get a free solar quote for your home or factory in FESCO territory or learn more about solar installation in Faisalabad and surrounding areas.