No Change in Load-shedding Schedule: K-Electric

Karachi: Spokesperson KE said in a statement 71% of the city is still free from load-shedding according to the K-Electric timetable after a periodic network evaluation, this exemption is applicable currently.

The timetable is based on an examination of KE's network of 2,000 feeders for power theft and unpaid bills, which serves as the foundation for load-shedding, and is made available to the public via the business's website and KE Live app. The most recent evaluation took place in March 2023.

According to a K-Electric spokesperson, "71% of KE's network is still receiving uninterrupted power delivery.

These are places with prompt payment of bills and minimal energy theft. Among the remaining places are those where up to 90% of the energy is stolen and where the bills for real use are not paid. This profile makes up around 25% of the network and provides 14 hours of daily electrical supply.

The KE official highlighted that supply increases in places where theft declines and bills are paid on time.

A few examples of this progress include Behar Colony and Tannery Road in Lyari, which are both connected to "Offbeat Street" and claimed to have seen AT&C losses of 27.9% less than in March of this year. Shah Faisal Colony No. 5, which is close to the airport, receives energy from the "Roshanabad" feeder, which has likewise experienced losses of 30.7%, shortening the load-shed by 4 hours. Similar regions include Gulshan-e-Areesha, Jehangir Town, and Johar Complex served by "Areesha CHS" feeder, which have recorded losses of 22.3%; "New Iqbalabad" feeder in Shah Faisal, which serves Drigh Road Cantt, Al-Haider, and Tandoor Colony, has also reported AT&C losses of 21.1%, which is leading to a reduction in load-shed duration of up to 6 hours.

Smart meters that K-Electric has put on its infrastructure allow the corporation to closely monitor the quantity of power units that are sent, invoiced, and lost in any location within the network. This monitoring and data-based strategy produces insights that can be put into practice and upholds openness in the routine evaluation.

Similar losses have been reported by the "Soomra CHS" feeder Johar connected to the Soomra Society, which has 48.6% losses, and the "Bilalabad" feeder in Landhi, which supplies electricity to Sectors 4D, 5D, and 5C, which has 36.2% losses. Areas in Orangi serviced by the "Zia-ul-Haq Colony" feeder, including Sector 11-A, 11-E, 12-L, and Urdu Chowk, have recorded a loss of 36.6%.

Spokesperson made it clear that these locations will be closely watched until the next evaluation and made a plea to elected local officials to collaborate with the business in tackling the problem of theft and unpaid invoices. In the current financial climate, it is not possible to supply "free electricity" to these communities where bill payment is low or declining.

According to K-Electric, it frequently sets up facilitation camps in collaboration with local authorities to foster a culture of timely bill payment. In order to decrease theft, distribution field staff work around-the-clock to remove kunda.

All stakeholders from the customer to the Federal Government have a role to play to help adapt and adjust by adopting energy conservation measures amid a tough economic climate and ensure the long-term sustainability of the power sector. The first step is to end theft and ensure payment of bills.