ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has taken action to evaluate the performance of Karachi Electric Limited (KEL) while considering the complaints of general public and media reports regarding frequent tripping and prolonged load shedding in Karachi. This decision was taken in compliance of the verdict of Sindh High Court of May 29, 2017. Earlier, in the month June 2015, the authority took cognisance of adversity of circumstances leading to extended load shedding, system failure and power supply breakdown in the service territory of (KEL) and constituted a fact finding committee to collect data and information and submit report on the aforementioned failures. Based on the recommendation of the committee, the authority issued a show cause notice to KEL under Section 28, 29 of the NEPRA Act for violation of terms and conditions of its licenses, rules and regulations framed under NEPRA Act. After giving an opportunity of hearing to KEL the authority passed an order in the matter on 25 March 2016 and imposed a fine of Rs5 million on KEL for failure to provide uninterrupted power supply to its consumers on non-discriminatory basis and not to restore the system within the prescribed timelines. Further a fine of Rs5 million was imposed on KEL for under-utilisation of its power plants. KEL was directed to take immediate measures to provide electric power to all the consumers without any discrimination, increase its generation capacity and improve transmission and distribution system in accordance with the investment plans submitted by it within the time lines. In 2016, the authority also initiated the proceedings against KEL on the similar lines to protect the interests of consumers and ensure compliance with prudent utility practices and performance standards under the NEPRA Act. It is worth-mentioning here that KEL is a company engaged in the functions of generation, distribution and transmission of electric power. Being the licensee under the NEPR Act, KEL is bound to provide reliable and un-interrupted electric power services to all its consumers within its service territory. Considering the recent media reports regarding unplanned extended hours of load shedding and tripping, the authority has decided to verify the implementation status of directions of the authority communicated through its above mentioned Order dated 25.03.2016 and to verify the implementation of performance standards by KEL. For that purpose, the authority has decided to nominate the team of its professionals who shall monitor and verify the load shedding in different areas of Karachi especially during Sehr and Iftar, current generation capacity of K-Electric and its utilisation, frequency of tripping of generating plants and transmission/distribution networks and implementation of investment plan for improvement of transmission and distribution systems. The team shall collect data from KEL, visit generation and distribution facilities of KEL, get feedback from consumers of KEL and submit report to the authority to proceed further in accordance with law.