Extra 150MW being received from NTDC: KE carrying out prolonged loadshedding

KARACHI: K-Electric is carrying out prolonged loadshedding in the sizzling summer despite receiving additional power of 150MW electricity to a total 800 MW from the national grid.

As per the agreement, KE has to receive 650 MW electricity from National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) however, considering the power demand of the metropolis; additional 150MW electricity is being provided to KE.

Unfortunately, KE has miserably failed to ensure uninterrupted power supply to its consumers.

These views were expressed by Dr. Yasir Siddiqui, Member, PSP Central National Council while fighting the case of Karachi at an open forum (khuli katcheries) which was arranged by Nepra on a social networking site.

K-Electric's incumbent management is trying to sell the company to buyers at an exorbitant price at the expense of Karachi residents, which is why it did not purchase furnace oil to show a reduced administrative cost so as to improve K-Electric's balance sheet and to get maximum profit from the sale of the company.

The only solution to heal the suffering of the people is to issue power transmission licenses to several companies so that the people have alternatives when they do not have better facilities and end the monopoly of one company which deprives the consumers of their rights.

Instead of increasing power generation, K Electric is deliberately trying to get cheaper electricity from the national grid in order to maximize its profits.

There is more than enough electricity in the country at the moment. The problem is only with the transmission system which Nepra should take strict notice of.

Nepra should immediately resolve this issue and force KE to pass on the money to the people of Karachi.

He said the high-ups of KE should be held accountable regarding this power crisis. Also, the prevention of power theft is the responsibility of the power company itself, instead of calling the people power thieves.

He said KE should not blame people for its poor performance and incompetence. It's the responsibility of the power company to stop power theft.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2020