ISLAMABAD: The Nati­onal Electric Power Regu­latory Authority (Nepra) on Thursday imposed Rs5 million fine on state-owned Northern Power Generation Company Ltd (Genco-III) on account of negligence in maintenance of a key switchyard that caused a major power breakdown in Punjab and Khyber Pukhtunkhwa early this year.

Nepra blamed the Genco-III for its inability to ensure necessary maintenance of 220 kV switchyard of Thermal Power Station Muzaffargarh and non-operation of protection system which resulted in power breakdown on January 15, 2016 in northern network of country i.e. Punjab & Khyber Pukhtunkhwa.

The regulator had taken serious notice of power breakdown and initiated legal proceedings against Genco-III and directed the management of National Transmission & Despatch Company (NTDC) to investigate the matter and submit a report.

Based on inquiry reports of NTDC and Ministry of Energy, the regulator held Genco-III responsible for the power breakdown.

It held that non-operation of primary protection at TPS Muzaffargarh, managed by Genco-III, caused the cascaded tripping of transmission lines and power plants which eventually resulted in widespread power breakdown leaving Punjab and KP without power.

Prior to the occurrence of subject breakdown, the regulator had taken note of deficiencies and defects in the concerned switchyard and directed Genco-III in April 2015 to remedy these deficiencies and maintain switchyard.

Upon failure to comply with the directions, a show-cause notice was issued to Genco-III and an opportunity of hearing was also afforded on Jan 24.

“During the hearing, the representatives of Genco-III were unable to provide any plausible reason to defend itself against the charges framed”.

Published in Dawn, June 22nd, 2018