British High Commissioner visits Karachi Electric Supply Company, reiterates British Government’s commitment toward Pakistan’s socio-economic development

Karachi, July 04, 2013 (PPI-OT): Karachi Electric Supply Company has welcomed the keen interest shown by British High Commissioner Mr. Adam Thomson and Deputy High Commissioner Mr. John A. Tucknott towards playing their role in the socio-economic development of Pakistan through meaningful support in education and energy sectors.

The British diplomats visited the head office of KESC yesterday where company’s CEO Mr. Nayyer Hussain, along with members of the leadership team, shared KESC’s transformation story and briefed them how the present management has been able to put KESC back on a sustainable track and how this transformation is helping the socio-economic development of Karachi, the economic hub of Pakistan.

The British high commissioner showed great interest in KESC’s turnaround story and appreciated the progress that KESC has made so far. He was of the opinion that the entire power sector can learn from this example and follow the best practices championed by KESC.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11,
Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar,
Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk

Reasons and factors behind the power outage

Karachi, August 27, 2012 (PPI-OT): During the late night / early morning hours of Sunday August 26th, the extraneous variable factors, attributable to the prevalent weather condition in the city had caused, outages, localized faults and trippings across the various parts of the city.

The drizzle / light rain, across different parts of the city, had played up the environmental factors of extreme dust, dirt and grime which settles on the power distribution network equipment like PMT’s, Transformers and Transmission Lines.

The light drizzle experienced in the city during the early hours of Sunday had turned this settled dust and dirt to sludge, which when seeped into the distribution equipment created disruptions, faults, leading to outages. It is when these expected rains, come down pouring, that the issue of this ‘sludge’ becomes a non-issue, since all of it is washed away. But the intermittent drizzle creates an unwarranted situation beyond preventive control.

KESC’s Special Task Teams, created to handle such emergency situations had been working throughout the night to normalize the affected areas. And by late afternoon, the city was brought back to its ‘normal status’, after addressing the disruptive weather element.

The areas most affected by this situation were, parts of; Garden, Jacobline, Gulshan Iqbal, Gulistan e Jauhar, DHA, Gizri, West Wharf and Korangi. KESC further stated, that it is due to the diligence of the Special Task Teams that had been working round the clock, that the situation was contained and normalized in the minimum possible time, else could have prolonged considerably, had the teams not been action ready.

The power utility stated that it regretted the situation of unscheduled outages which its customers had to face on account of the above external and uncontrollable factors and appreciated the understanding and cooperation extended by the affected power consumers.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11,
Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar,
Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk

Karachi Water and Sewerage Board exempted from loadshedding despite outstanding bills in excess of Rs17 billion

Karachi, August 24, 2012 (PPI-OT): Karachi Electric Supply Company has stated that on the morning of August 25th, one of its 132kv Transmission Lines had tripped resulting in an outage at the Dhabeji and Gharo pumping stations.

All the more importantly, the power utility stated that despite a burgeoning default in excess of Rs17 Billion by the Karachi Water Board, KESC has still maintained the ‘Load Shed Exemption’ status at all the water pumping stations of its biggest defaulter – the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board.

It further stated, that under normal circumstances no corporate entity would continue dealing with a defaulter of such a magnitude; but KESC’s only considerations are the city dwellers of Karachi. If power supply to KWSB is disconnected, it is the common man who would suffer on account of the Water Board’s high handedness, which KESC does not want.

The Karachi Water Board’s ballooning default of over Rs. 17 Billion in unpaid bills has been fuelling largely the circular debt crisis being faced by the city’s only power utility. With the purchase of fuel for the generation plants being payable on cash basis, such a massive default by a single consumer can only create a cash flow crisis for any corporate entity.

KESC also stated, that one of the prime causes of power outages at KWSB’s pumping stations, are the ramshackle and decrepit condition of the Water Board’s internal service cables. Due to the corrupted condition of Water Board’s internal service cables, they are unable to bear the heavy power load and hence the frequent outages.

These rundown cables of the Water Board have also become a source of trouble for KESC, since they cause frequent trippings of KESC’s connected feeders.

Interesting to note here is the fact, that despite the critical nature of its service, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, operates without any contingency plan. Meaning that even in the event of a small duration power outage, the pumping stations are incapable of being powered on an alternate power source.

This startling fact points out only the mismanagement and inefficiencies of the Water Board, because of which the citizens have to suffer on account of water shortage. While the only standard reaction by KWSB’s management is to use KESC as a scape-goat to hide its own ills.

KESC has called upon the Sindh Government and has requested for immediate intervention by the Federal Government to settle the outstanding default of the Karachi Water Board, running in excess of Rs. 17 Billion.

The utility further stated that the outstanding dues, payable by its single largest defaulter (KWSB) have reached a critical point and is constantly and spiritedly fuelling the circular debt issue for KESC.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11,
Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar,
Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk

Power to Be Supplied to Those in Need of It. Self Power Generating Units Who Do Not Require Karachi Electric Supply Company, Are to Be Disconnected: Karachi Electric Supply Company

Karachi: Karachi Electric Supply Company has stated, that after much deliberation and in the larger interest of the public, it has formulated a new power supply policy for its ‘captive power’ consumers. All industrial units that are generating their own power through Gas and do not require KESC for their power needs and have merely kept their connections as a back-up, are to be disconnected.

According to a KESC statement this decision has been taken keeping in view the optimal rationalization of power distribution and electricity supply will be prioritized for those customers who are need of it. In the city of Karachi there are about 600 private industrial units that are fulfilling their power needs through gas based self-generation (captive power’s).

These, self power generating, private industrial units are being provided natural gas on a priority level higher than KESC, in violation of the Natural Gas Policy 2005. Infect cumulatively these private commercial entities are being supplied gas, more than the quantum of what is being supplied to the power producing public utility, that is serving the needs of 20 million inhabitants and countless industries of the metropolitan.

Hence in faze one of this policies, KESC has served notices to 250 such industrial consumers, who have sanctioned their load from the utility but are utilizing less than 25% of that load. Hence making perfect sense to take back the excess and un-utilized load from these consumers and use the same to provide new connections or load enhancements to those applicants desirous of availing KESC’s services but have had to queue up due to non-availability of the same load.

All the same KESC has clarified, that it is well in position and willing to provide ‘uninterrupted power supply’ to all those ‘captive power industrial units’ which decide to switch back to KESC for their power needs, rather than use gas to produce their own power.

In a fair over view of the situation, if the same amount of gas that is being provided to these 600 private captive powers, is diverted to KESC (being a public utility), not only will it result in enhanced power generation, but will also lead to a reduction in the power tariff brought about by an incremental usage of a low cost fuel – natural gas.

Important to note is that, 560 MW of additional power generation is soon to be available with KESC – vide its most efficient, new, state of the art combined cycle Bin Qasim 2 power plant which is in the final stages of commissioning, setup at a cost of USD 450 million but requiring an additional 130mmcfd of gas.

The decision is up to the policy makers of the government to divert this gas supply from captive powers to KESC, for the benefit of the 20 million residents of Karachi, which will indeed be a decision of great magnanimity and wisdom in upholding the supremacy of public interest over private.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11, Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar, Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk

Karachi Electric Supply Company condemns attack at SITE Power Plant, demands government action to enforce law

Karachi: The Karachi Electric Supply Company has demanded the government to enforce law and exercise its executive authority to get the utility’s offices and installations vacated from the illegal besieging of union miscreants. The KESC strongly condemned Tuesday’s attack at SITE Power Plant and disruption of power generation from this power house to the industrial units.

A mob of union miscreants attacked the SIE Power Plant and forced technical staff to leave the plant, resulting in disruption of plant operation and supply to SITE Industrial area. The KESC has said this is a direct attack at the industrial production of the City and the government needs to stop it through law enforcement.

The union miscreants also stole conductor wire on Tuesday between Location Nos. 8 and 9 in the 132 kV Pipri-KEPZ Circuit causing a tripping. Security at the circuit has been beefed up and repair work completed in a short time. The conductor wire of 132kV Gharo-Dhabeji Transmission Line was also stolen the same day causing a tripping of the circuit from both sides.

The union miscreants continue to besiege the KESC’s head offices, main offices at State Life Building and other important business and maintenance centres across the City as the administration is still following its policy of silence and non action. A Fire Staff employee was beaten up and stopped from entering the head offices. The union miscreants attacked him with sticks close to the police mobile standing there. All gates and the boundary wall are still covered by the agitating union members and their motorcyclists taking rounds in the area to chase away any KESC employee wanting to enter the offices.

Tuesday morning, Tahir Abrar, Deputy Executive Engineer was also attacked and beaten up at the gate of head offices. The Training Centre building was besieged by union miscreants for the whole day who damaged the vehicles parked outside and also beat up a few employees. The union miscreants hijacked maintenance vehicle No. JY-3126 from Bilawal Shah Goth in Sachal police station area in Gulistan-e-Johar. The KESC has demanded immediate recovery of the vehicle.

The KESC understands that the government needs to get all the offices of the utility vacated from the illegal besieging of the union miscreants and provide safe environment to the KESC employees so that the operations could be normalized before monsoon rains start, otherwise the City might face great rain-related hazards and even blackout. This was high time that the government acted to enforce law.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11,
Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar, Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk

Karachi Electric Supply Company to hold talks after opening of offices, end of sabotage

Karachi: Karachi Electric Supply Company has decided not to enter into dialogue with any Government formed Committee until the government enforces its writ and ensures safe reopening of all KESC installations and business offices. Until that happens, the KESC finds itself unable to engage in any discussions with any party.

The KESC cannot continue to risk the life of its employees and cannot allow its properties and installations to be damaged indefinitely. The KESC may have to shut down all operations if the criminal activities against the utility continued in the presence of law enforcement agencies.

On June 13, about 200 union miscreants illegally entered Korangi Power Station led by Mr Abdul Aziz and forced the employees to stop power generation machines. The union hooligans also attacked Landhi Grid Station the same day in a bid to stop power transmission to the City from that installation. They destroyed records took away close circuit television camera installed at the main gate and cut the wires of camera to prevent recording of their illegal actions.

The disturbance of power generation network of the KESC would not only cause great problems for the citizens but would also harm the electricity supply to the security bases and defense installations besides other sensitive and strategic locations.

The disruptive attacks and direct violence carried out against the KESC betray any standards of moral, social, legal, constitutional and trade union framework. There is no justification whatsoever of the union’s illegal siege of the utility’s offices and blocking of its normal functioning. Neither there is any logic to the government’s silently allowing the violence and attacks to happen. Any talks at this point in time would be one-sided and forced, bearing no results.

The union miscreants hijacked a maintenance vehicle No. JY-8223 at Qayyumabad, while a team was heading towards DHA to undertake repair work. The attackers damaged the vehicle and beat up the driver. The miscreants also damaged an MTL No. KM-7728 at a repair location in Landhi No. 6.

For four days, the union miscreants have been besieging KESC’s nerve centre in Load Dispatch Centre at head offices, main offices in State Life building, and dozens of business and maintenance centres all across Karachi. This is an open demonstration of lawlessness and civil strife in clear view of the whole world. A number of union miscreants led by their office-bearers continue to illegally surround the office building and block entry of the management and other employees into the offices. They have damaged and disabled close circuit cameras to pre-empt recording of the incidents.

The KESC has expressed regret over the fact that police force was present at all the offices, generation plants and grid stations but they did not act upon law and allowed the saboteurs to take law into their own hands in clear violation of Criminal Procedure Code, Pakistan Penal Code, Police manual and the orders of Sindh High Court which directly instructed the administration and police and rangers departments to safeguards KESC from union attacks.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11,
Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar, Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk

Karachi Electric Supply Company, Provincial government chalk out joint plan to cope with rain-related hazards

Karachi: The Karachi Electric Supply Company has in collaboration with the Provincial Government taken all possible measures to get prepared in view of the upcoming heavy monsoon rains and winds forecast to hit Karachi by late Sunday evening.

Public awareness on rain hazards, police protection to repair and maintenance teams, setting up of camp control room, and, coordination among various city government agencies at local level are a few salient features of the rain preparedness plan.

A meeting called by Dr. Ishratul Ibad Khan, Governor Sindh, participated by Heads of the Provincial Government departments and civic agencies and at Governor House decided that the KESC’s rain emergency maintenance teams would be stationed at safe locations and they would also be provided outside security cover when they disembark to normalize rain-related emergencies and isolation of live wires etc.

The control rooms set up by DCO located in his camp office will have reps of all civic agencies and would be in contact with KESC’s maintenance network to provide assistance as specific situations required, to resolve urgent and emergent issues. To cater to the localized rain affects and emergency situations of the electricity distribution system, the KESC maintenance network would receive strengthened coordination at lower levels from various government agencies and departments to take fast track action.

The KESC would also acquire support from Provincial and City administrations for clearance of rain water from KESC installations, specified routes and locations, to minimize delays, accidents and safety hazards. A close liaison would also be maintained from KWSB to resolve or forestall water gathering problems for quick restoration.

The KESC has advised the general public about the possible rain hazards and said that they need not to touch water-soaked or fallen electricity wires, wet poles, and to stay away from standing rainwater pools. During rain they should avoid touching electric poles which may be harmful if there is leakage of current.

The KESC has informed the general public that due to the union miscreants blocking the utility’s work in all sections of distribution system, the deploying of region wise gangs would severely be affected for handling possible emergency situation.

The KESC further advised the citizens to keep away from standing rainwater pools which could catch electric current unexpectedly and to refrain from touching wires and electrical appliances with wet hands. The general public needed to fully understand their role to protect themselves from any electricity-specific harm in an emergency situation.

The KESC has asked the general public to immediately inform the utility’s call centre 118 if and when they confront a rain-related emergency like standing water around electric installations and poles or broken and fallen wires. The complaints can also be emailed direct to the top management via ceotaskforce@kesc.com.pk.

These KESC has expressed its full commitment to redress public complaints and customers’ grievances in rain emergency situation in spite of the present scenario.

For more information, contact:
Adil Murtaza
Assistant Manager, Media and PR
Karachi Electric Supply Company Limited (KESC)
2nd Floor, State Life Building No 11, Abdullah Haroon Road, Saddar, Karachi
Tel: +9221 9920 7163
Cell: +92346 822 3641
Email: adil.murtaza@kesc.com.pk