The concept of Time of Use (TOU) is basically to bifurcate the peak hours in Karachi from 6.00pm to 10.00pm while in the rest of Pakistan there maybe seasonal variations. The remaining 20-hour time period is known as off-peak hours.

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has been notifying peak and off-peak hour rates since 2006 for industrial customers and 2009 onwards for commercial and residential customers.

The notifications of TOU rates are available on Nepra’s website. The current rates notified for K-Electric are as follows:

1. Residential: Peak hours Rs18.00 and off-peak hours Rs12.50 per kwh.

2. Commercial: Same as above.

3. Industrial: Peak hours Rs18 and off-peak hours Rs 12.29 down to Rs 12.00 per kwh (depending on the load).

Single-point supply for purchase in bulk by a distribution licensee and mixed load consumers not falling in any other class is as follows:

The TOU tariff notified for peak hours is Rs18.00 and for off-peak hours is Rs12.50 per kwh. These rates are exclusive of all government taxes.

During the two days of public hearing conducted by Nepra (Sept 27 and 28) in Karachi, I have confirmed from Mr Asif Saad, COO Distribution K-E that K-Electric has decided to provide industrial customers the TOU facility immediately on demand.

On being questioned why by demand and not by right, he replied that wherever digital meters have been installed this would be done immediately.

Wherever digital meters have yet to be installed, my advice to customers would be to address a letter to their area IBC and send a copy to the COO Distribution and one to me at my email address — nazimhaji@gmail.com — for follow-up.

Regarding commercial and residential customers, K-Electric is hesitant to provide the TOU facility to them on the grounds that the matter is under discussion with Nepra and would be implemented once these discussions are finalised. This statement is incorrect, as in my case, Nepra has directed K-E vide its letter ref TCD/6196-2016, dated Sept 22, 2016, to provide the TOU metering/billing facility at my residence.

Since K-E is a professionally-managed organisation, it is expected that it would comply with the orders of Nepra and not use delaying tactics which it has been practicing since 2009/2010 and provide the tariff incentive to its customers so that they are encouraged to reduce the load during peak hours in line with their public service ads appealing to conserve energy.

I would like to appeal to all customers under the K-E licensed region to demand their rights for TOU metering/billing facility and not suffer in silence.

Nazim Haji

Karachi

Published in Dawn October 4th, 2016