K-Electric has urged the government to take control of 300 high-loss electricity feeders in Karachi. These feeders are responsible for 87% of the city’s power losses, according to KE CEO Moonis Alvi. Speaking at an event with energy journalists, he said managing these areas could greatly reduce load-shedding. KE is ready to supply electricity to them, but only if the government handles bill recovery. This move, he added, would bring the city closer to becoming free from blackouts.
Alvi pointed out that 70% of Karachi is already free from power cuts. He explained that only a few parts of the city continue to face problems. These are areas where people steal electricity or avoid paying bills. To fix this, KE has started using new technologies to stop power theft. Still, damage to transformers in these zones can take up to three days to repair, he said.
Moreover, Alvi said KE is open to helping the government manage these troubled areas. He stressed that KE wants to work together to solve the city’s electricity crisis. He also shared updates on the Multi-Year Tariff (MYT), which many fear will raise power prices. Alvi reassured that it won’t burden regular users but instead attract foreign investment in Karachi’s energy sector.
Looking ahead, KE believes Karachi can become 90% free from load-shedding by 2030. By that time, the number of electricity users is expected to reach five million. At the same time, the power supply capacity may grow to 5,000 megawatts. This, Alvi said, depends on smart planning and full support from the government and regulators.
Lastly, Alvi said KE is ready to link captive power industries to the main grid. The company is following a timeline agreed with the government for this change. He added that industrial activity in Karachi is rising, which increases electricity demand. KE, he said, is ready to meet this demand if the right support is in place.