ISLAMABAD: The Senate Standing Committee on Power, chaired by Senator Mohsin Aziz, has emphasized that power Distribution Companies (Discos) should learn from the progress of K-Electric (KE).
Official documents available to NewzShewz reveal that the Chief Distribution Officer of KE, Sadia Dada, recently briefed the Committee on KE’s significant advancements. Currently, over 70% of KE’s service area is exempt from load shedding, including 100% exemption for industrial feeders. KE’s Segmented Load-Shed (SLS) policy is in line with the provisions of the National Electricity Policy 2021 and has also been endorsed by the Supreme Court’s judgment.
The briefing further highlighted that, since privatization, KE has made targeted investments across the power value chain, resulting in enhanced fleet efficiency, reduced Transmission and Distribution (T&D) losses, and decreased Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses. These improvements have led to significant gains in service quality and delivery. KE’s operational improvements since privatization have been recognized at various local and international forums. Most recently, the World Bank’s Pakistan Federal Public Expenditure Review 2023 noted that KE’s privatization has saved Rs 900 billion for consumers and the government, primarily due to substantial investments, workforce optimization, and operational efficiencies.
The Committee was also briefed on the significant improvements KE has made since its privatization in 2005. Key areas of improvement include generation capacity (MW), generation fleet efficiency (gross), grid stations, transmission capacity (MVAs), load-shed-exempt areas, distribution capacity (MVAs), and reductions in T&D losses and AT&C losses.
Furthermore, the Committee was informed that as of the Financial Year 2024, KE has outstanding dues of over Rs 130 billion against HL- and VHL feeders, with approximately Rs 44 billion accumulated during FY 2024 alone.
The Chairman inquired about the rate of billing for industrial and commercial consumers and whether these rates are aligned with those of other Discos. The Committee was briefed that KE bills its consumers according to the provisions of the NEPRA-approved Consumer Service Manual (CSM). KE is committed to resolving any consumer complaints and has provided multiple channels for customer support, including email, a call center, and the KE Live Mobile App. Consumers can also approach the Electric Inspector Karachi (EIK) and NEPRA for resolution if they are dissatisfied with KE’s response.
In accordance with the Uniform Tariff Policy of the Government of Pakistan, all consumers are charged the same power tariff nationwide, as determined by NEPRA and notified by the Power Division.
The Chairman praised KE for offering 100% exemption from load shedding in industrial areas and expressed the view that other Discos should learn from KE’s progress and performance. The Chairman also inquired about line losses, to which it was reported that KE’s line losses are at 16%, and efforts are ongoing to further improve this issue. The Chairman observed that the image of KE presented in this meeting differed from the portrayal in the media. Chairman NEPRA added that the losses of IESCO and GEPCO are in the single digits as well.
Ends
