The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has issued a show-cause notice to K-Electric (KE) for failing to adhere to directives on handling net-metering applications.
Issued on Wednesday, the notice addresses KE’s failure to provide complete data on rejected net-metering applications, which KE attributed to system overloads. Nepra views this as a breach of its regulations and the Nepra Act.
This action follows multiple reports that KE rejected numerous net-metering requests, blaming overloaded distribution systems and Pole-Mounted Transformers (PMTs).
In May 2024, Nepra initially directed KE to report specific data regarding these rejections. KE requested an extension and subsequently failed to meet the compliance deadline.
Read: NEPRA Announces New Fuel Cost Adjustment for K-Electric Consumers
After receiving a partial response from KE in July, Nepra found the information insufficient. KE stated that net-metering requests exceeding 80% of transformer capacity necessitated upgrades at the applicants’ expense, a condition Nepra found lacked transparency and hindered timely access to net-metering services.
Nepra has formally assessed KE’s responses as inadequate, issuing a show-cause notice under its fine regulations. This notice demands that KE rectify the non-compliance and explain its actions regarding consumer net-metering applications, which are crucial for promoting renewable energy in Pakistan.
In response, KE has stated that it has energized over 18,000 connections since the inception of the net metering policy and is actively coordinating with Nepra to resolve these issues.