Nepra Issues Show-Cause Notice to K-Electric Over Loadshedding Concerns in Karachi
Karachi: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has issued a show-cause notice to K-Electric (KE) over what it described as discriminatory and excessive loadshedding practices affecting residents across various parts of Karachi.
The action follows KE’s failure to submit a satisfactory response to concerns raised by the regulator regarding its load management during the peak summer months.
Persistent Complaints from Consumers
Nepra noted a surge in public complaints about prolonged and unfair power outages in several areas of the city. The regulatory authority had earlier directed KE to take corrective action to minimize the impact of power shortages and provide fair and consistent supply to all consumers.
In its official notice dated June 23, a copy of which is available with Dawn.com, Nepra emphasized that all power distribution companies are legally required to implement non-discriminatory loadshedding policies. According to regulatory guidelines, power cuts must be applied in a specific order—beginning with rural areas—followed by urban residential consumers, agriculture, industries, educational institutions, hospitals, and then strategic installations.
Violation of Loadshedding Regulations
The regulator expressed concern that entire feeders were being shut down, even when some consumers on those lines were regular bill payers. This, Nepra said, amounted to punishing compliant consumers for the actions of a few defaulters.
While KE has installed Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI/AMR) to monitor and control electricity usage at the pole-mounted transformer (PMT) level, Nepra noted the utility has failed to use this technology to target non-compliant users only—despite having the capability.
Consumer Grievances Raised During Hearings
During recent Fuel Cost Adjustment (FCA) public hearings, Karachi residents voiced strong concerns about excessive and unannounced power outages, particularly in areas with no history of electricity theft.
Nepra had previously directed KE to shift to PMT-level loadshedding to reduce the burden on paying customers. However, the authority said the utility company continued to non-compliantly carry out feeder-level cuts, contributing to what it described as “undue suffering” for responsible consumers.
Potential Financial Penalties for Non-Compliance
KE was earlier asked to explain its actions in a communication dated January 8, 2025, but after a review of its response submitted on January 27, Nepra concluded that the reply did not sufficiently justify the ongoing issues.
As a result, the regulatory authority has now issued a formal show-cause notice, asking KE to respond within 15 days. Failure to comply could result in:
-
A fine of up to Rs200 million
-
Additional penalties of Rs100,000 per day until compliance is ensured
Looking Ahead
This development comes at a time when Karachi’s residents continue to struggle with rising temperatures and unreliable electricity supply. Nepra’s action reflects growing regulatory pressure on power utilities to ensure transparency, fairness, and accountability in their operations.
K-Electric’s response in the coming days will likely determine whether further regulatory or financial consequences follow.
