ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed a combined penalty of Rs248 million on Gujranwala Electric Power Company (Gepco) and Sukkur Electric Power Company (Sepco) for overbilling and illegal loadshedding in violation of consumer service rules and regulatory directives.
In two separate orders issued after proceedings spanning more than three years, Nepra fined Gepco Rs200m for overbilling 1,298 consumers through detection bills on account of slow meters, while Sepco was penalized Rs48m for carrying out Aggregate Technical and Commercial (ATC)-based loadshedding, a practice declared illegal by the regulator.
Nepra noted that Gepco charged consumers beyond two billing cycles despite clear provisions of the Consumer Service Manual (CSM), placing an unjust financial burden on consumers. The regulator directed Gepco to refund or adjust the excess charges within 30 days, warning of an additional Rs100,000 per day penalty for continued non-compliance.
Sepco, meanwhile, continued ATC-based loadshedding despite Nepra’s April 2024 directive to halt the practice. Rejecting Sepco’s justification that the policy originated from the Ministry of Energy, the regulator ordered an immediate end to the practice and imposed fines retroactive to April 4, 2024. Nepra warned that failure to deposit the penalty within 15 days would lead to recovery through land revenue laws or other legal means.
The authority also criticized both Discos for disregarding regulatory directions and harming consumers, warning that continued violations would invite stricter action in the future.
Story by Khaleeq Kiani
