ISLAMABAD: The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has imposed a fine of Rs5 million on Nation Transmission and Despatch Company (NTDC) under Nepra (Fines) Rules 2002 (Fine Rules) due to non-compliance of Performance Standards Transmission Rules 2005 (Performance Standards) particularly with respect to voltage and frequency fluctuations.
The NTDC, being a transmission licensee, is required to submit Annual Performance Report to Nepra as per the Performance Standards and terms and conditions of its licence. Based on the Annual Performance Reports provided by NTDC, a comprehensive analysis report was prepared by Nepra which highlighted that the NTDC has prima facie violated the permissible voltage and frequency limits in the year 2013-14 as prescribed in the Performance Standards. Based on the findings of analysis report, the authority decided to initiate legal proceedings against NTDC. An explanation and show-cause notice were issued to NTDC on July 31, 2015 and February 15, 2016, respectively. Hearings in the matter were conducted on August 18, 2016 and April 11, 2017.
The authority observed that the data submitted by NTDC in its Annual Performance Report revealed that NTDC has deviated from the permissible voltage limits, which has resulted in voltage profile as low as 180kV and 170kV instead of the nominal voltage of 220kV at Sibbi and Quetta grid-stations, respectively. The similar level of voltages was also noted at other grid stations in different areas of Pakistan. Further, violations regarding voltage limits variation showed an increase of 13 percent in 2013-14 as compared to previous year. As a result, consumer end voltages were badly affected, as they get voltages as low as 170 volts instead of 220/230 volts.
