HESCO sets ambitious goal to become market leader by 2028: CEO

HYDERABAD: Hyderabad Electric Supply Company (HESCO) Chief Executive Officer Faizullah Dahri outlined the utility’s ambitious plans to become a market leader by 2028, emphasizing full recovery, technological modernization, and improved service delivery for consumers.

Speaking to Business Recorder, Dahri said that since taking additional charge as CEO and CFO in January 2025, he has implemented a series of operational reforms that have already shown measurable results. “Company losses have decreased by 2.7%, while recovery rates have improved by 10%,” he stated. He highlighted that 35 feeders have already been made load-shedding free, and HESCO aims to extend this to 68 additional feeders by June. Dahri also noted that several feeders have achieved recovery rates ranging between 127% and 150%, reflecting remarkable progress in revenue collection.

According to Dahri, HESCO has moved away from an outdated bureaucratic culture toward a consumer-friendly and employee-focused environment. “We have instilled a sense of ownership among our officers and employees, and employee safety remains a top priority,” he told Business Recorder. He added that the company is actively deploying Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters, promptly addressing technical complaints, and offering free installation or replacement of faulty meters.

Dahri emphasized that community engagement is central to HESCO’s strategy. “We personally visit areas, meet community leaders, and involve the public in making their feeder load-shedding free. Those who pay their bills on time should not suffer,” he said. He explained that HESCO has signed a three-point memorandum of understanding (MoU) with local communities, which focuses on zero tolerance for electricity theft, keeping technical losses below 20%, and ensuring that load-shedding occurs only during essential technical shutdowns.

The CEO also highlighted the role of technological modernization in HESCO’s reform agenda. “AMI meters allow automated readings, two-way communication, and real-time alerts for disconnections or faults. We have installed 16,000 AMI meters for three-phase connections, enabling consumers to monitor their usage through an application interface while allowing us to target electricity theft effectively,” Dahri explained.

Addressing the challenge of illegal connections and energy theft, Dahri said that the solution requires a multi-pronged approach involving education, moral development, and economic stability. He also pointed out that spreading fixed electricity costs over higher consumption would reduce per-unit charges, benefiting consumers while improving HESCO’s financial performance.

On the subject of employee welfare and corporate social responsibility, Dahri informed Business Recorder that HESCO provides welfare grants, free medical services, paid internships for youth, and supports social initiatives in underserved communities. “Our mission is to genuinely serve the public,” he said.

Looking ahead, Dahri expressed confidence that HESCO will stand alongside other top utilities in Pakistan, including IESCO, MEPCO, and FESCO. He said the company is targeting a 3% annual reduction in line losses and aims for a complete turnaround to achieve full recovery and operational excellence by 2028.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026