KARACHI: National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday has imposed a fine of Rs 5 million on Northern Power Generation Company Limited GENCO-III, a government owned Generation Company. The power regulator has imposed fine on the GENCO-III on account of negligence in maintenance of 220 KV switchyard of TPS Muzaffargarh and non-operation of protection system which resulted in power breakdown on January 15, 2016 in northern network of country, Punjab & Khyber Pukhtunkhwa (KP). The Nepra took notice of power break down and initiated legal proceedings against GENCO-III and directed NTDC to investigate the matter and submit a report. After reviewing the inquiry reports of NTDC and Ministry of Energy, held GENCO-III responsiblefor the power breakdown. Non-operation of primary protection at TPS Muzaffargarh, managed by GENCO-III, caused the cascaded tripping of transmission lines and power plants which eventually resulted in wide spread power breakdown leaving Punjab & KPK in dark. Prior to the occurrence of subject breakdown, the power regulator had taken note of deficiencies and defects in the concerned switchyard and directed GENCO-III, vide letter dated 10-04-2015, to remedy these deficiencies and maintain switchyard. Upon failure to comply with the directions of the Nepra, a show-cause-notice was issued to GENCO-III and an opportunity of hearing was also afforded on January, 24, 2018. During the hearing, the representatives of GENCO-III were unable to provide any plausible reason to defend itself against the charges framed and it was established that the directions of the authority and provisions of generation license, Nepra Licensing (Generation) Rules, 2000 and Grid Code 2005 were being violated by GENCO-III, said a statement issued by the Nepra.