ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has imposed fine to the tune of Rs10 million, on National Transmission and Dispatch Company Ltd (NTDC) on account of power supply failure and partial blackout.
As per details, NEPRA has imposed fine of Rs10 million on NTDC on account of power supply failure and partial blackout due to collapse of eight towers i.e. two towers of 500 kV Dadu-Jamshoro Transmission Line and six towers of 500 kV Port Qasim Matiari due to cyclonic wind and thunderstorm. Moreover, evacuation of 1320 MW Port Qasim (IPP) was also suspended due to aforesaid reasons, which was restored after nearly 10 days i.e. on May 31, 2022.
Earlier, NEPRA took serious notice of the incident and constituted an Inquiry Committee to thoroughly investigate the matter in the light of NEPRA Laws, Rules and Regulations. The committee conducted the inquiry and presented a detailed report to the authority, on the basis of which the authority initiated legal proceedings against NTDC.
According to NEPRA, an explanation dated March 29, 2022 was issued to the NTDC under Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, followed by a show cause notice on August 02, 2022 under Section 41 of the NEPRA Act. However, NTDC failed to provide any response within the stipulated time. Accordingly, Ex-parte proceedings were initiated against NTDC, whereby NTDC was found guilty of violating relevant provisions of the NEPRA Acts, Rules & Regulations, Grid Code and NEPRA Transmission Performance Rules 2005. Keeping in view of the above, the Authority has imposed a fine of Rs. 10 Million on NTDC, said NEPRA.
