Nepra Fines National Grid Company & CPPA Rs. 25 Million Each Over Safety Failures. Pakistan’s power sector faced another serious blow this week as the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) imposed heavy penalties on two key institutions—National Grid Company and the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA).
Both organisations were fined Rs. 25 million each after Nepra found repeated violations of legal and safety requirements meant to protect the national grid.
This decision comes at a time when the country is already struggling with outages, rising demand, and weak infrastructure. The regulator said its action aims to ensure accountability and strengthen grid stability.
Why Nepra Imposed the Fine?
Nepra noted that both agencies violated Section 48 by failing to complete mandatory operating procedures with dozens of power plants.
These procedures guide:
- Day-to-day grid operations
- Safety protocols
- Restart steps during national blackouts
Surprisingly, one-third of these agreements remain unsigned, even after years of deadlines.
Nepra rejected the excuse that power producers caused delays, stating that dispute-resolution mechanisms already exist in power purchase agreements.
Black Start System: The Biggest Red Flag
Nepra strongly criticised the weak planning behind Pakistan’s “black start” framework—the system used to rebuild the grid after a nationwide power collapse.
Because of poor readiness and missing procedures, power restoration was delayed during:
- 2021 nationwide blackout
- 2022 major grid disturbance
- 2023 national outage
Several power plants failed to synchronize on time, forcing long delays in restoring electricity to cities and industries. Nepra said this poor planning contributed directly to repeated national shutdowns.
Tests Conducted Only After Legal Pressure
Another major concern raised by Nepra was the timing of black start tests.
Both National Grid Company and CPPA conducted mandatory tests only after legal notices were issued.
The regulator called this behavior “evasive” and harmful for national grid security.
Nepra also clarified that black start services are already included in existing contracts, meaning power plants cannot ask for extra payment for this role.
Fines Must Be Paid Within 15 Days
Nepra has ordered both entities to deposit the Rs. 25 million penalty within 15 days. If they fail to comply, the amount will be recovered as land revenue, giving legal weight to the decision. This marks one of the strongest enforcement actions taken by Nepra in recent years.
Why This Matters for Pakistan
This decision highlights deeper problems in Pakistan’s power sector:
- Safety procedures are incomplete.
- Blackout recovery plans remain weak.
- Grid coordination is poor.
- Accountability has been missing for years.
Nepra’s action signals a shift toward stronger regulatory enforcement, especially after Pakistan has faced three major nationwide blackouts within just three years.
Consumers hope these steps will push agencies to strengthen grid planning and prevent future failure.
Conclusion
Nepra’s fines send a clear message: Pakistan’s grid operators must improve safety, planning, and coordination. With repeated blackouts in recent years, the country cannot afford weak procedures. This action may finally push key institutions toward stronger compliance and faster recovery systems.
