NEPRA orders KE to end revenue-based load shedding, protect paying consumers

Nepra has ruled that K-Electric's commercial load shedding, which cuts supply based on revenue or AT&C losses, is unlawful, according to Profit by Pakistan Today. The regulator ordered the utility to halt unannounced and excessive outages, especially those hitting customers who pay their bills on time. Nepra's view is that theft or defaults on a feeder do not justify cutting compliant users on that same line.

An inquiry found KE was going beyond its declared load shedding schedules and adding extra outages, affecting nearly 2.37 million consumers. Nepra said the utility had been fined Rs50 million in an April 4, 2024 order for similar breaches without making real operational changes. The regulator has asked KE to replace feeder-level cuts with targeted steps such as disconnecting defaulters, stepping up anti-theft drives and pursuing prosecutions.

KE must put Aerial Bundled Cables into high-loss areas, and it must submit a phased installation plan and a compliance report, both within 30 days. Complaints from Karachi households and the KCCI prompted the proceedings, and a Show Cause Notice has been issued with proceedings still ongoing. A KE spokesperson said the company is reviewing the order and will respond within the stipulated timeframe.