NEPRA issues show cause notice to KE over load shedding

Dawn/23-07-2020

ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) issued a show cause notice to K-Electric on Tuesday over excessive loadshedding and began the process for similar proceedings against two other distribution companies of the federal government operating in Sindh. The Karachi-based power utility was issued the show cause notice after a day-long public hearing a few days ago, followed by a field visit by an investigation team of Nepra to Karachi. The regulator said in a statement the investigation committee constituted to look into the excessive loadshedding in Karachi had submitted its report. “In the light of findings of the investigation committee, the Authority has decided to proceed further and issue a show cause notice to K-Electric,” the regulator said in its brief statement. An official said the show cause was necessitated under sections 28 and 29 of the Nepra Act and licencing rules for failing to ensure uninterrupted power supply to consumers and maintain service quality. Meanwhile, the Nepra held public hearings into complaints against the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (Hesco) and the Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) over loadshedding and overbilling. A flood of complaints came in from consumers during the public hearing.