ISLAMABAD, Feb 23: The electricity distribution companies (Discos) would be required to pay a fine of up to Rs10,000 to each consumer in case of power interruptions beyond a given time period.
In case they failed to comply with five performance standards, to be approved by National Electric Power Regulatory Authority, Discos would have to pay up to Rs300,000 to the power regulator.
The proposed performance standards for the distribution companies have been finalized and are to be notified shortly, a Nepra official told Dawn.
Under the proposed rules, Discos would shed the load in case of power shortages under the instructions of National Transmission and Dispatch Company, with rural area consumers to be the first to have their electricity suspended.
Secondly, the supply to residential consumers in urban areas, where separate feeders exist, would be disconnected followed by non-industrial urban consumers, industrial consumers and, lastly, the defence and strategic installations.
Every Disco will prepare a schedule of disconnection demonstrating this priority order.
The performance standards would be notified through an SRO.
The first guaranteed standard envisages that after an unplanned supply interruption, power service will be restored within 10 hours in urban and 16 hours in rural areas.
Secondly, after an unplanned supply interruption, the service shall not be interrupted more than a maximum of 60 times a year in urban and 80 times a year in rural areas at 400/230 volts supply.
Thirdly, the service shall not be interrupted (unplanned) for more than 88 hours in a year in urban areas and 175 hours a year in rural areas at 400/230 volts.
Electricity would not be interrupted for planning interruptions for more than a maximum of 12 times in a year at 400.230 volts, 6 times for consumers getting supply at 33/11 kv, four times for consumers getting supply at 66 kv and above voltage, according to the standard No 4.
Under the fifth guaranteed standard, the electricity would not be interrupted for planning interruptions for a total period of more than a maximum of 60 hours in a year in urban or 72 hours in rural areas at 400/230 kv, 48 hours for consumers getting electricity at 33/11 kv and 36 hours on 66 kv and above voltage level.
In addition, the power supply for planned interruptions would not be disconnected before 6am in winter and 5am in summer and restored by 5pm in winter and 6pm in summer season. A 48-hour notice prior to every planned electricity interruption would be given to the consumers.
If a Disco failed to comply with any of these guaranteed standards, the consumers would be entitled to receiving a penalty payment from the Disco. The penalty to each affected consumer for each guaranteed standard failure beyond the prescribed limit would be paid at the rate of Rs10,000 for 132 kv and above voltage consumers, Rs5,000 for 66 kv, Rs1,000 for 33/11 kv and Rs300 for 400/230 volts.
For a delay of every additional complete six hour period beyond the permissible limit set by standard 1, 2 and 3, a penalty at the rate of Rs2,000, Rs1,000 and Rs1,000 would be payable for 132kv and above, 66 kv and 33/11 kv, respectively.
For every additional interruption beyond the permissible limits stipulated under the standard No 4 and 5, a penalty would be paid at the rate of Rs2,000, Rs1,000 and Rs500 for 132 kv, 66 kv and 33/11 kv.
If a company does not comply with any of the rules prescribed by Nepra, it shall be punishable with fines which could extend up to Rs300,000 for each non-compliance.
