CEO proposes government takeover of feeders causing 87% power losses
KARACHI:
K-Electric has put forward a plan aimed at ending electricity loadshedding in Karachi. According to KE’s CEO Moonis Alvi, 300 of the city’s 2,129 feeders are responsible for a staggering 87% of power losses—the primary driver behind the persistent blackouts. Alvi shared these remarks on Saturday during a meeting with a delegation from the Council of Economic and Energy Journalists (CEJ).
Alvi said that if the government assumes control of these 300 feeders and manages internal electricity distribution in those areas, K-Electric would be able to bring Karachi closer to a loadshedding-free status. “KE is ready to supply electricity to these 300 feeders, but the responsibility of collecting bills from these areas would fall to the government,” he explained.
Currently, 70% of Karachi is already free of loadshedding, Alvi added. The company is implementing new technology to curb electricity theft from feeders. He warned that tampering with pole-mounted transformers (PMTs) could cause technical issues that take up to three days to resolve. Alvi reaffirmed KE’s offer to assist the government in managing the internal electricity system in these areas.
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Alvi also assured that K-Electric’s Multi-Year Tariff (MYT) would not negatively impact ordinary consumers but would instead encourage foreign investment in Karachi’s power infrastructure. “The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) will review the MYT annually based on investment levels,” he added.
He projected that by 2030, with the implementation of the MYT, up to 90% of Karachi could be loadshedding-free. By that time, the number of power consumers in the city is expected to reach five million, and power transmission capacity would grow to 5,000 megawatts.
Addressing a question, Alvi confirmed that KE is prepared to provide electricity to captive power industries by connecting them to the grid. “We are committed to meeting the agreed timeline with the government and stakeholders for this transition,” he said, noting that industrial activity in Karachi has been on the rise in recent months, leading to increased electricity demand.
