Nepra criticises K-Electric over prolonged loadshedding

ISLAMABAD: The power regulator on Thursday expressed disappointment over the hours-long loadshedding in Karachi, disagreed with K-Electric’s “immature” explanation, and termed it “out of touch” with the worsening ground realities during a public hearing on the company’s March fuel charges adjustment request.

With the summer heat intensifying, residents and business representatives complained of worsening loadshedding, calling it unbearable. A representative of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industries told the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) that the power crisis has severely affected daily life and business operations. “We request Nepra to find a solution,” he said.

Nepra member Rafiq Sheikh rebuked K-Electric’s top management for failing to present a serious plan to tackle prolonged outages and distribution losses. “Your response is extremely immature. It’s completely disconnected from the suffering on the ground,” he said. “If we remain silent, people will think we’re complicit.”

K-Electric CEO Moonis Alvi defended the utility, citing violent resistance in some areas. “Our teams are attacked. Sometimes I’m saving my people at 2am,” he said, requesting Nepra’s help in urging the public to avoid illegal connections and pay their bills.

However, Nepra dismissed the CEO’s explanation, expressing dissatisfaction with the utility’s performance. The hearing concluded with no immediate decision on K-Electric’s request for a fuel adjustment, but Nepra officials assured further scrutiny of the matter.

K-Electric had requested Nepra to approve a refund of Rs5.02 per unit under the March 2025 monthly fuel charges adjustment (FCA), citing lower fuel costs due to global price shifts and changes in power generation mix.