On Wednesday, KE announced that the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has decided on the utility’s Transmission & Distribution Investment Plan until FY2030. This decision is expected to accelerate the company’s initiatives aimed at minimizing losses in transmission and distribution, expanding its customer base, and enhancing the power utility’s infrastructure to meet present and future requirements.
According to KE, investing in power utility infrastructure is crucial to ensure a reliable, secure, and uninterrupted electricity supply to an expanding customer base. Since privatization, an investment of Rs. 544 billion has allowed KE to double its customer base, double power consumption among these customers, and reduce its Transmission & Distribution (T&D) losses by over fifty percent.
KE stated that the plan was submitted in compliance with regulatory guidelines, and a hearing was conducted in March 2023 where KE management briefed stakeholders on the projects planned from FY2024 to FY2030. During this period, KE has clearly outlined priorities and projects for investment in areas such as expansion, reduction of energy losses, network rehabilitation, maintenance, and safety.
Digitization is also a key focus area in these operational domains. The investment plan includes projects to deploy more Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) and implement technologies like Advanced Distribution Management Systems (ADMS) and Meter Data Management Systems (MDMS) to enhance internal processes and increase transparency, the company added.
Regarding transmission, the plan includes the addition of grids and transmission lines to reinforce the reliability of KE’s network and facilitate the uptake of additional power from the National Grid, the company stated.
CEO of KE, Moonis Alvi, commented, “Over the next 7 years, we plan to invest $2 billion in Transmission and Distribution to address the city’s needs through targeted investments and technology-based interventions. I’d like to acknowledge the efforts of all stakeholders who have been part of this journey and who will continue to collaborate with us to modernize our infrastructure and prepare us for the future.”
The investment plan aligns with the company’s Power Acquisition Program, which outlines KE’s vision to attain a 30% share of renewable energy in its generation mix by 2030. In this context, the company has received regulatory approval for Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for 640MW renewable projects, which is another pivotal step toward facilitating access to affordable energy for all.
“Our teams at K-Electric are thoroughly reviewing NEPRA’s decision and will continue to engage with NEPRA. Moving forward, a sustainable and cost-reflective tariff remains crucial for the timely execution of the investment plan,” the statement concluded.
