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ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed a fine Rs 10 million on National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) for its failure to satisfy the Authority in the matter of revision in minimum loading limit of Lalpir and Pakgen power plants.
This is said to be the third time in the last six months that the power regulator has imposed a fine on this state-run entity which is responsible for transmitting power from generators to the national grid and then to power distribution companies (Discos).
The latest fine was imposed on the company on account of revision in the minimum loading and not satisfying the regulator when it was asked to explain its stance.
In a statement, NEPRA said that in April 2021, the minimum loading limit of Lalpir and Pakgen power plants was revised from 20 per cent to 50 per cent, whereby the general manager – System Operation – had told the Central Power Purchasing Agency-Guaranteed (CPPA-G) that there would be no adverse operational effect of the said revision on national grid.
However, the succeeding GM (System Operation) informed that the said revision had adversely affected system operation and has led to increase in generation basket price. NEPRA inquired from NTDC/NPCC to clarify the reasons for its change in stance of the later GM.
However, NTDC/NPCC failed to satisfy the Authority. Subsequently, the Authority initiated legal proceedings against NTDC. Consequently, an explanation dated October 13, 2021, was issued to NTDC under Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, followed by a show-cause notice dated December 30, 2021, under Rule 4(8) & (9) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002.
Moreover, an opportunity of hearing was also granted to NTDC on April 06, 2022, however, NTDC failed to provide any satisfactory response and was found guilty of violating relevant provisions of the NEPRA Act, Rules, and Regulations made thereunder. Therefore, the Authority has imposed a fine of Rs 10 million on NTDC.
On October 5, NEPRA had imposed fine of Rs. 10 million on National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) for its failure to restore power supply when a few transmission tower collapsed in May this year, and the company couldn’t restore it for 10 days.
Earlier on October 4, NEPRA had slapped a fine of Rs. 10 million on National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd (NTDC) for September 2021 breakdown at Jamshoro Grid Station that rendered residents of Karachi and HESCO region without power.
