ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has taken strong notice of the prolonged and excessive loadshedding being experienced in Karachi during the peak summer months.
In a letter addressed to K-Electric’s Chief Executive Officer, Nepra demanded immediate steps to alleviate consumer hardships and protect public confidence in the privatization process.
Impact of Extended Power Cuts on Karachi
Residents of Karachi have been facing electricity outages lasting up to 12 hours a day, with frequent interruptions ranging from two and a half to three hours per spell.
Nepra highlighted that these power disruptions are severely impacting daily life, especially amid soaring temperatures.
The prolonged outages have not only caused great inconvenience to households but have also disrupted commercial activities and worsened law and order situations in Pakistan’s largest city.
The regulator pointed out that the deteriorating power supply is intensifying difficulties for Karachi’s population and negatively affecting the city’s economy.
Data reviewed by Nepra indicates a decline in K-Electric’s performance across critical areas, including transmission and distribution losses and the percentage of revenue recovery. Notably, the percentage of loadshedding-free areas in Karachi has fallen from a previously reported 76% to just 70%, which is lower than many public sector electricity distributors.
Operational Issues and Mismanagement Highlighted
Nepra emphasized that a key aim of privatizing K-Electric was to boost operational efficiency and ensure reliable electricity for consumers.
However, the regulator expressed concern that the current trend reflects a failure to meet these goals. Despite having access to more cost-effective power through the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC), which can supply up to 1,600MW at lower rates, K-Electric is underutilizing this capacity. Instead, it continues to impose prolonged loadshedding, denying consumers access to cheaper and more reliable electricity.
The regulator also criticized K-Electric for running some of its own power plants at partial loads while still enforcing power cuts, a practice that increases generation costs and ultimately burdens consumers financially. Nepra stressed that these issues stem from poor operational planning and neglect of consumer welfare.
Finally, Nepra underscored the importance of reducing transmission and distribution losses and improving revenue recovery through sound management.
It warned that cutting off feeders to control losses or force payments is unjustifiable and harms compliant consumers, damaging trust in the utility.
Nepra’s firm stance signals urgent pressure on K-Electric to improve its services and restore power reliability to Karachi’s residents.
