DISCOs asked to plug power leaks, cut losses

LAHORE: The Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) on Monday tasked all chief executive officers (CEOs) of distribution companies (DISCOs) to come up with robust proposals to reduce rising power losses at hundreds of feeders across the country.

“The CEOs should prepare the proposals to cut Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses (AT&C), including but not limited to the options of outsourcing billing and collection on the feeders in question,” Musaddiq Ahmed Khan, MD PEPCO, said while giving directions to the DISCOs chiefs.

“The proposals should be placed before respective board of directors of DISCOs for consideration, decision and implementation without delay.”

Khan also warned all the CEOS that the progress of their respective DISCOs would be monitored in monthly review meetings.

“Failure to improve reasonably well, may entail extreme measures under applicable rules/law including Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules 1978, Electricity Act and NAB Ordinance, if needed,” the MD PEPCO emphasised. These directions come on the heels of substantial energy losses, far beyond the permissible/acceptable limit, at 11 kV feeders of all 10 DISCOs during the last five months.

About 50 percent and above losses were recorded at 745 feeders during the month of November 2017, resulting in the loss of 250.71 million KWH (units).

On the other hand, during July-November 2017, a similar level of leaks was recorded at 1241 feeders (except IESCO) and it translates into a loss of about 2233.67 million units of electricity.

The Progress Report reveals being the worst performers Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) lost 141.85 million units, Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) 16.64 million units, Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO) 20.01 million units, while Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) lost 37.37 million units in the respective provinces during November 2017 alone.