ISLAMABAD - National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken serious notice of another major blackout in Karachi on October 2, 2018 and directed K-Electric to provide immediately a detailed report in this regard.

While showing its serious concern over the poor performance of K-Electric, NEPRA said that KE is not investing to improve its transmission and distribution network as trippings are taking place frequently, said spokesman NEPRA here.

The spokesman said that according to media reports, the city of Karachi witnessed another major blackout in the early hours of Tuesday which K-Electric attributed to tripping of the extra high tension network. The hours-long power breakdown caused inconvenience and people of Karachi suffered from long duration power outages. Further, it was reported that most affected areas were Defence, Clifton, Gadap, Saddar, Uthal, Korangi as well as pockets in Johar, Landhi, Nazimabad, Garden, Layari and other areas. A number of consumers reported that the KE’s call centre 118’s officials were not entertaining their complaints despite several attempts.

The Authority has raised serious concern on the prevailing situation in respect of poor performance of KE’s distribution network. Further, the Authority is of the view that KE is not investing to improve its transmission and distribution network as trippings are taking place frequently. In view of foregoing, KE has been directed to provide the detailed report regarding aforementioned power breakdown along with preventive and corrective steps taken by it.

Meanwhile, K-Electric spokesman said that the company will submit its response to the regulatory authority in due course along with all relevant facts.

As power supply to K-Electric from the national grid remained restricted due to technical reasons on Tuesday, forced load management of up to an hour was carried out in load-shed exempt areas of Karachi.

The power utility maintained close coordination with the concerned authorities for earliest possible restoration and power supply was brought back to routine levels in the city as soon as the supply from the national grid was fully restored.

Meanwhile, localized tripping due to high humidity levels occurred in the early hours on Tuesday caused partial power interruption for few hours in parts of Defense, Clifton, Gadap, Saddar, Uthal, Korangi as well as pockets in Johar, Landhi, Nazimabad, Garden and Lyari. Supply to most of the affected areas and strategic installations including key hospitals and water pumping stations was ensured through alternate circuits.

The power utility regrets the inconvenience caused to its valued customers and appreciates their cooperation during this time.