Sindh Announces Affordable Electricity Plan for Karachi

Sindh Energy Minister Nasir Hussain Shah has announced a major initiative to provide affordable electricity to Karachi’s residents and industries under the Sindh Electric Power Regulatory Authority (SEPRA). Speaking to the media, Shah said that electricity rates under SEPRA would be significantly lower than those of K-Electric. He added that the Sindh government would generate its own power and transmit it through the Sindh Transmission and Dispatch Company (STDC), allowing the province to set its own electricity tariffs. The minister said that power transmitted through STDC would not be linked to NEPRA rates and would cost much less. He said recruitment for SEPRA has been completed, and a notification will be issued later this month. Shah highlighted that the province’s main focus is on economic zones, with the first SEPRA-based power supply planned for the Port Qasim grid. The Sindh Assembly has already given constitutional approval for SEPRA, enabling Karachi residents to benefit from cheaper electricity, provided the transmission network remains with STDC. He criticized K-Electric for lacking Sindh’s representation on its board, noting that all three directors are appointed by the federal government. Sindh has requested that two directors be from the province and one from the federal government. The minister also revealed that the Sindh government has signed an agreement to supply K-Electric with low-cost electricity from solar parks, urging the utility not to purchase expensive fuel-based power when solar generation is available.