NEPRA directs K-Electric to avoid load-shedding

Writes letter to company CEO in wake of heat wave, public complaints

ISLAMABAD:

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has taken notice of load-shedding in Karachi and directed K-Electric (KE) to adopt different measures immediately to avoid outages in the largest city of the country, which is also called an industrial hub.

In a letter addressed to the KE chief executive officer, the power-sector regulator referred to a communication dated June 26, 2024 regarding casualties due to heat wave and load-shedding, and a public hearing conducted on June 27, 2024 on a multiyear tariff petition filed by the private power utility.

The regulator said that the letter addressed numerous consumer complaints about prolonged load-shedding in the service territory of KE, particularly during the current heat wave in Karachi. “It is the obligation of KE, under the licence granted to it, to provide electricity to its eligible consumers.”

Nepra, while seriously considering the complaints and the severity of the conditions, directed KE to take some measures immediately.

It asked the company to resort to load-shedding only if it was absolutely essential and in strict accordance with Nepra’s applicable documents.

It said that if load-shedding was necessary and compliant with Nepra’s applicable documents, it should be avoided during night hours to the greatest extent possible.

“Any required, lawful load-shedding should be limited to a maximum duration of one hour per occurrence,” the regulator said and directed KE to comply with those instructions. “In case of violation, proceedings will be initiated.”

The regulator also told KE to submit a report on compliance with the directives within seven days.