Overloaded grids and poor coordination between utilities push consumers to pay more for electricity
Islamabad: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has warned that Pakistan’s fragile power transmission system is becoming a major driver of higher electricity costs for consumers.
According to NEPRA’s Transmission Performance Evaluation Report for fiscal year 2024-25, overloaded grid stations, delayed projects, and weak coordination between institutions are forcing the country to produce expensive electricity instead of leveraging cheaper power sources.
The report highlighted that poor coordination between K-Electric and the National Transmission and Dispatch Company (NTDC) is hindering the efficient supply of affordable national electricity, affecting overall system performance.
NEPRA said that weaknesses in the national grid are undermining the economic merit order principle, which prioritizes cheaper electricity first. Instead, expensive power plants are being operated, placing a direct financial burden on both household and industrial consumers.
The regulator further noted that several grid stations and power transformers are operating at more than 80% of their capacity, increasing the risk of voltage instability, equipment damage, and widespread power breakdowns.
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