NEPRA fines Rs 200 million on KE

Aftab Ahmed

Islamabad: The NEPRA on Monday imposed a heavy fine of Rs 200 million on K-Electric (KE). The KE involved in forced load-shedding in Karachi.

NEPRA spokesperson said that the authority had imposed a fine of Rs 200 million on K-Electric to carry out excessive load-shedding in Karachi during June and July 2020 and violate the NEPRA Act terms and conditions of its license(s) and directions given by the Authority in its multi-year tariff.

https://newztodays.com/nepra-questions-performance-of-ke/

On June 24 this year, the Nepra announced an investigation against K-Electric. The investigation will look into forced load-shedding in Karachi.

During a public hearing in June, Nepra Chairman Tauseef Farooqi said the authority would conduct an investigation. It will look into unannounced load-shedding in Karachi. However, the outcome of this investigation brought before the public, he said.

There have been protests by people over the prolonged power outages in the city. Protesters claimed that they are facing 12-hour load-shedding and demand action to stop power outages.

Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and KE accused each other at the time of load shedding. KE believes that PSO has not provided the required oil for power plants to produce electricity.

Recently, Sindh Energy Minister Imtiaz Ahmed Sheikh claimed that prolonged and unannounced power cuts timing increased in Karachi rather than decreasing even after show-cause notices to K-Electric under the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) Act.

He had sent separate letters to Federal Energy Minister Omar Ayub and NEPRA chairperson Tauseef H Farooqui, highlighting the prolonged load-shedding in Sindh’s cities despite the sweltering weather.

Stating that the K-Electric was carrying out load-shedding of eight to 12 hours in the city and power outages at night, he called for a high-level emergency meeting to figure out a permanent solution for the matter.

He further said that KE should stop load shedding immediately. At the same time, NEPRA officials should also review the matter after visiting the metropolis themselves.

Moreover, the provincial minister had pointed out that areas being provided electricity by Hyderabad Electricity Supply Company and Sukkur Electric Power Company were also facing power cuts lasting up to 12 to 16 hours in a day, while also drawing attention to the absence of transformers in other cities.