NEPRA directs KE to end arbitrary loading shedding, find alternative enforcement measures

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has directed K-Electric to do away with unannounced load shedding and develop alternative enforcement measures.
These instructions have been issued by the Regulator during monthly hearings on Fuel Price Adjustments (FCAs) for Distribution Companies (WDISCOs) and K-Electric, a consistent and deeply troubling pattern emerge.
The Authority’s public hearings, which are designed to ensure transparency and public participation in the tariff determination process, were increasingly being dominated by complaints from citizens across Karachi regarding unscheduled, excessive, and discriminatory load shedding. These complaints were not isolated incidents; they constituted a deluge of grievances that painted a disturbing picture of a systemic dysfunction.
The Authority, in the exercise of its powers under the NEPRA Act, inquired into these complaints. The inquiry revealed a profoundly disconcerting reality that K-Electric had been enforcing load shedding on the basis of a self-styled Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses policy, a policy that finds no recognition in the NEPRA Act or the applicable legal framework and License. The Authority further discovered that this policy was being enforced with a degree of arbitrariness that bordered on the capricious, with the Licensee routinely exceeding its own declared schedules and subjecting consumers to prolonged, unannounced power outages.
In view of the foregoing reasons and in exercise of the powers conferred under Section 27C of the NEPRA Act, for continued violation of Section 21 (2)(b) read with its license conditions and other applicable documents including but not limited to NEPRA Performance Standards (Distribution) Rules, 2005 binding on it by virtue of its license, the Authority has issued this Prohibitory Order to K-Electric Limited which is as follows;
KE is required to immediately improve the provision of electric power services by ceasing and desisting from carrying out any unannounced, unscheduled, or excessive load shedding within its service territory so as to ensure compliance with the NEPRA Act, and Rules and Regulations made thereunder. All load management must strictly adhere to the parameters defined under the NEPRA Act, applicable legal framework and its License.
The Licensee is required to immediately improve the provision of electric power services by strictly ceasing and desisting from executing load shedding on the basis of Aggregate Technical and Commercial (AT&C) losses at the feeder level so as to ensure compliance with the NEPRA Act, and Rules and Regulations made thereunder. The commercial defaults, theft, or high loss ratios on any specific feeder shall not serve as a justification to suspend electric power supply to compliant, paying consumers residing on that same feeder. ii. The Licensee is reminded that its duty under Section 21 (2)(b) to provide service on a “non-discriminatory basis” is inviolable and cannot be subordinated to commercial considerations. The Licensee shall ensure that all consumers who are regular in their bill payments are not subjected to any disconnection or curtailment of supply due to the defaults or unlawful actions of others.
The Licensee is required to immediately improve the provision of electric power services by deploying targeted technological and administrative interventions to curb commercial losses, rather than resorting to arbitrary, feeder level power outages. Such interventions shall include, but not be limited to: (i) Individualized Disconnections: Disconnection of supply to individual consumers found to be in default of payment or involved in theft of electricity, strictly in accordance with the procedures established in the applicable laws ; (ii) Aggressive Anti-Theft Drives: Intensification of anti-theft drives and the prosecution of electricity thieves under the applicable Penal laws. The Licensee shall coordinate with law enforcement agencies to ensure the effective enforcement of the law. (iii) Installation of Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC): The installation of Aerial Bundled Cables (ABC) to reduce technical and commercial losses, particularly in high-loss areas. The Licensee shall prepare a time-bound plan for the phased installation of ABC and submit the same to the Authority within thirty days of this Order. 30.
K-Electric has been directed to submit a comprehensive compliance report within thirty days of the issuance of the Order. Ends