K Electric’s (KE) Chief Executive Officer Syed MoonisAlvi welcomed the growing competition in Karachi’s power distribution sector. He emphasized the benefits of increased competition for performance evaluation and called for KE’s expansion beyond Karachi to other cities in Pakistan.
Alvi spoke at KATI, where he was joined by KATI President JoharQandhari, Senior Vice President Nighat Awan, Vice President Muslim Muhammadi, and several other notable figures from the industry and government. The meeting also included KE’s senior executives and a significant number of KATI members. Alvi highlighted the ongoing efforts of KE to address the Power Holding Limited (PHL) charges, which have been criticized by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) and other forums.
He noted that while KE is not responsible for circular debt, Karachi residents are still burdened with these additional charges. He urged the business community to join in efforts to eliminate PHL charges and improve the overall situation. Alvi praised KE’s performance in net metering but acknowledged delays in meter shipments due to maritime storm risks.
He requested NEPRA to permit the installation of meters that meet KE’s quality standards. Additionally, KE has streamlined the process for new connections and name changes to an online system to enhance efficiency.
KATI President JoharQandhari welcomed Alvi and his team, commending KE for its significant investment of 3 billion rupees in Karachi’s power infrastructure. He noted that KE’s performance is better compared to other distribution companies in Pakistan but still has room for improvement. Qandhari emphasized the need for reduced tariffs for industrial users, highlighting that Karachi’s industries face higher electricity costs compared to other regions due to PHL charges and other surcharges.
He also stressed the importance of including renewable energy projects, such as solar and wind, in the energy system to reduce costs and improve supply. He further pointed out the need for better power supply and tariff reduction through increased competition in the power sector. Qandhari suggested that other distribution companies should be allowed to operate in Karachi to foster competition and enhance service delivery.
RehanJaved, Vice Chairman of KATI’s Standing Committee, raised concerns about high electricity costs, which are unsustainable for industries. He called for measures to ensure uninterrupted power supply and tariff reductions to support industrial growth. The meeting concluded with a consensus on the urgent need for reforms in the power distribution sector to support Karachi’s industrial base and improve overall service quality.
