“No one has scrutinized the heat rates of K-Electric’s plants, which are generating expensive electricity. Ultimately, the consumers in Karachi are the ones suffering from these inefficiencies through inflated electricity bills,” one representative stated
By Asghar Ali Mubarak
ISLAMABAD: In a heated public hearing on Thursday, representatives from Karachi delivered a scathing critique of the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), accusing the regulatory body of failing to address the systemic issues plaguing K-Electric’s power infrastructure. The criticism centered on NEPRA’s perceived negligence in compelling K-Electric to modernize its outdated power plants, which are notorious for their inefficiency and high operational costs.
The public hearing was convened to review K-Electric’s proposal to increase electricity charges by an additional Rs 3.09 per unit for December 2024, as part of the Fuel Charges Adjustment (FCA) for July. This request forms part of the routine mechanism to adjust tariffs in response to fluctuations in fuel prices. However, the discussion quickly veered towards broader concerns about the inefficiencies of K-Electric’s power generation facilities.
Representatives criticized NEPRA for its failure to address the issue of K-Electric’s aging power plants. The plants, which have been in operation for several decades, are seen as a significant factor contributing to the high cost of electricity. Despite their claims of operational efficiency, these plants continue to produce expensive electricity, which directly impacts consumer bills.
One of the major points of contention was the inadequate scrutiny of the “heat rates” of K-Electric’s power plants. Heat rate is a critical measure of a power plant’s efficiency in converting fuel into electricity. Representatives argued that the high heat rates of K-Electric’s plants indicate poor efficiency, leading to higher electricity production costs. “No one has scrutinized the heat rates of K-Electric’s plants, which are generating expensive electricity. Ultimately, the consumers in Karachi are the ones suffering from these inefficiencies through inflated electricity bills,” one representative stated.
The representatives expressed frustration with NEPRA’s regulatory oversight, accusing it of failing to enforce necessary reforms and improvements. They contended that NEPRA’s lack of action has allowed K-Electric to continue operating under outdated conditions, perpetuating inefficiencies and higher costs for consumers. This inaction, they argued, undermines consumer protection and equitable pricing. The hearing highlighted the financial strain placed on consumers due to the inefficiencies of K-Electric’s power plants.
The representatives underscored that the additional charges proposed by K-Electric would exacerbate the burden on consumers, who are already grappling with high electricity costs. The inability to modernize the infrastructure means that consumers bear the brunt of these inefficiencies through higher bills. The representatives’ criticism reflects a broader discontent with NEPRA’s role in overseeing the power sector.
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