Nepra Slaps Rs. 10 Million Fine on National Grid

Pakistan’s power regulator imposed a Rs. 10 million fine on the state-run National Grid Company after finding major lapses in safety standards, staffing and operational readiness at key transmission sites in Sindh, according to an order issued Thursday. The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) said the penalty was approved with a three-to-one majority following a 41-month probe that included inspections, a show-cause notice and multiple hearings. The investigation focused on the Jhimpir area in Hyderabad, where substantial investments had been approved to upgrade health, safety and environmental (HSE) standards across the grid network. A Nepra inspection team found in May 2022 that 220/132kV grid stations in the region were still under construction but had already been energised without formal handover from the project director—a breach of standard procedure. The regulator said no approved SOP existed for taking control of newly built transmission lines, grid stations or related assets. Nepra also cited severe staffing shortages. At the time of inspection, only two shift engineers were operating the grid stations, working continuous two-day stretches without adequate breaks or support staff. Similar shortages were found across the South region, where NGC had failed to fill sanctioned positions for nearly three years, despite a rapidly expanding transmission network. The regulator said the lack of manpower, vehicles, safety equipment and basic amenities, such as water, gas and reliable housing for staff, left newly constructed grid assets “unattended and at risk,” undermining network stability.