With the evolution of Solar PV technology, old paradigm of consumers being passive recipients is changing fast. Distributed generation with the help of end-users can be instrumental in realizing goals of making the energy sector more decentralized, decarbonized and democratized. Against the backdrop, residential prosumers have occupied central role in the transition debate. If adequately empowered, they can prove the change agents for facilitating integration of renewables and building a more sustainable future. However, if policy instruments fail to correspond to the needs of the newly evolving role of consumers as proactive market actors, it would stifle their participation in market. In the case of Pakistan, flawed energy pricing, provision of net-metering facility by limited DISCOs along with cumbersome procedures of availing the facility, and barring of small-scale prosumers from net-metering facilities and financial schemes indicates few major barriers in the way of PV infrastructure dissemination. A strong need exists for addressing the weaknesses in the current policy tools for mainstreaming active engagement of residential prosumers in the energy sector. A prosumer is a person who consumes as well as produces a product. On the given lines, energy prosumer refers to those customers who self-generate energy for wholly or partially meeting their own energy needs. They are energy producers and consumers at the same time, resulting in a two way or bi-directional flow of energy.

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In recent decades, use of energy has greatly evolved to become a vital human security element. In developed countries energy security (ES) is regarded as one of the fundamental pillars of national energy frameworks and developmental goals. Pakistan is facing acute level of energy insecurity manifested by issues such as lack of access to grid, gap between demand and supply, import dependency and soaring energy prices. Climate change, a phenomenon closely related to human use of energy, is also posing serious threats to not only the environmental and ecological scenarios of the country but also wider socio-economics. Energy policies remain entrapped within the narrow spectrum of meeting energy requirements, lacking a balanced approach to the emerging needs of reliable and sustainable supply chain. The existing energy scenario emphasizes the need for featuring the human welfare parameters in the energy policy discourse. This study critically examines the human security aspects of the energy scenario. The paper underscores the need for including human security as an integral element in the energy policy for ensuring sustainable socio-economic progress.