Nepra holds KE responsible for worsening power crisis in Karachi

The fact-finding team of National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Monday held K-Electric responsible for worst loadshedding in Karachi.

According to the report prepared by four-member team, the K-Electric was behind the worsening power crisis in Karachi. The investigation team also examined the power plants and feeders of K-Electric. The team also reviewed KE’s production capacity, demand and supply of electricity.

The fact-finding team said shortage of fuel was main reason behind loadshedding in Karachi. The team also rejected the KE’s justification in this regard.

“The KE is reluctant to produce electricity by using furnace oil. The KE is unable to provide uninterpreted power supply to its consumers. The dues of gas companies are also creating hurdles in power production. The KE also failed to settle its scores with Sui Southern Gas Company Limited,” said the investigation team.

The Nepra team also recommended action against KE for failing to provide uninterpreted power supply to Karachiites.

The Nepra Authority will take action in the light of report prepared by fact-finding team.

The areas of Karachi including Ibrahim Haideri, Qayyumabad, Korangi and Landhi are experiencing loadshedding for eight hours while the localities along the coast face it for 12 hours a day. Meanwhile, there are many other neighbourhoods where up to 10 hours of outages are being carried out.

Interestingly, all the political parties are protesting against the KE for failing to provide smooth power supply to Karachi. JI Karachi chief Hafiz Naeem-ur-Rehman demanded resignation of Federal Minister Asad Umar while also announcing that they would stage protest and sit-ins over the loadshedding crisis.

On July 17, Nepra allowed the K-Electric to increase the tariff by Rs2.89 per unit for the people of Karachi. It means the consumers will face an additional burden of Rs70 billion.