Feeders classified beyond Category-1: FESCO acknowledges many technical, administrative factors

ISLAMABAD: Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO) has acknowledged that feeders currently classified beyond Category-1 are the result of several technical and administrative factors, including load shifting due to network reconfiguration, incorrect feeder coding in the system database, commissioning of newly created feeders, and discrepancies arising from non-uniform billing cycles, sources in the Power Planning and Monitoring Company (PPMC) told Business Recorder.

FESCO is among the three distribution companies (Discos) slated for privatisation during the current calendar year, although the process has faced delays. The company is widely considered an attractive asset for private investors.

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In its performance report submitted to PPMC for the period ending December 31, 2026, FESCO stated that it had conducted a comprehensive analysis of non-communicative (mute) meters. As a result, 43 meters were replaced and activation requests were formally submitted to the Power Information Technology Company (PITC). In addition, certain feeders have been identified for deletion as they no longer exist. The remaining non-communicative meters are currently undergoing detailed diagnostic assessment, with the aim of achieving 100 percent online availability of Load Data Improvement Project (LDIP) meters.

FESCO’s field formations are also compiling accurate statistics on overloaded transformers, and consumers connected to these transformers are being re-verified accordingly.

Furthermore, discrepancies in feeder coding are being identified and rectified. Field formations have also been directed to conduct a detailed analysis of connected load versus sanctioned load to accurately identify genuinely overloaded transformers.

During the reporting period, a marginal delay of about 6 percent was observed in the timely resolution of complaints under the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) guidelines. According to the company, unavoidable circumstances contributed to the delays, including the remoteness of certain fault locations, an acute shortage of field staff, the need to ensure worker safety during the foggy season, and the lack of adequate logistical support.

The company noted that fog and low-voltage (400/230V) distribution lines often lead to damage and tripping of multiple 11kV feeders. At the same time, a significant increase in complaints registered through online portals has been observed, as Nepra discourages the older manual complaint registration system. Given the rising frequency of complaints compared to the corresponding period last year, the company administration is also attempting to eliminate the old complaint registration pattern. Increasing use of smart applications and helplines such as 118 and 8118 has improved customer service access.

FESCO stated that its overhead and radial distribution networks are inherently vulnerable to unscheduled outages and feeder tripping due to external factors, including adverse weather conditions and bird interference. To mitigate these risks, the company is undertaking targeted corrective actions with a focus on condition-based and preventive maintenance strategies.

As part of these initiatives, Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) scanning meters and Asset Performance Monitoring Systems (APMS) are being deployed on 100kVA and 200kVA distribution transformers to suppress transient faults, reduce feeder interruptions, and enhance fault detection capabilities.

The company reiterated that feeders classified beyond Category-1 are largely due to technical and administrative issues such as network reconfiguration, incorrect feeder coding, commissioning of new feeders, and discrepancies arising from non-uniform billing cycles. Data validation, system corrections, and network normalization activities are underway to ensure accurate reclassification of these feeders according to their actual operating and performance characteristics.

To improve billing accuracy, FESCO said it is implementing corrective measures, including refining the scheduling process, to ensure strict compliance with meter reading timelines outlined in Nepra’s Consumer Services Manual and tariff terms and conditions.

According to the report, FESCO has achieved 97 percent mobile meter reading accuracy for general connections, while the remaining 3 percent variance is attributed to technical issues such as snap-uploading errors, human mistakes, and shortages of meter-reading staff. The company is making efforts to achieve 100 percent accuracy and is also working to improve meter reading accuracy for industrial and tube-well connections.

The company is also examining cases where the load factor exceeds 100 percent. It found that some industrial and tube-well consumers are using more load than their sanctioned capacity. Such consumers are being issued notices to apply for extension of load according to their requirements; otherwise, their connections may be disconnected.

Bill adjustments, the company said, are processed strictly in accordance with Nepra’s Consumer Services Manual and Commercial Procedures. According to the assessment including subsidy, the percentage of credited amounts relative to total billing stands at 0.36 percent. This includes cases involving deferred amounts ordered by courts or the department, decisions by courts and electric inspectors, and other factors beyond the company’s control. Nevertheless, FESCO says it will continue efforts to meet the assigned adjustment targets.

The company replaced 22,399 defective meters in December 2025. By the end of the month, 18,673 defective meters were still pending replacement; however, all remaining meters were replaced during January 2026.

FESCO has also installed 30,920 AMI meters on three-phase connections, including 9,017 meters for net-metering consumers. The company said it is making robust efforts to complete installation of the remaining AMI meters and meet its assigned targets within the stipulated timeframe.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026