NEPRA concludes probe into 2021 nationwide blackout, slaps heavy fines on power entities
Business
NEPRA has completed its long-awaited investigation into the nationwide blackout of January 2021, holding the National Grid Company and CPPA responsible for delayed power restoration.
ISLAMABAD (Dunya News) – The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has issued a detailed decision after completing its investigation into the nationwide blackout that occurred four years ago, placing the blame on the National Grid Company and the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA).
According to the verdict, a massive power outage on January 9, 2021, left the entire country without electricity for nearly 20 hours. NEPRA said the restoration process after the blackout failed badly and was not handled in a timely manner.
The authority noted that several power outage incidents were also reported during 2021, 2022, and 2023, highlighting a pattern of poor performance by both companies.
To get to the bottom of the matter, NEPRA had formed an investigation committee. However, the National Grid Company and CPPA failed to satisfy the regulator and instead tried to pass the buck by blaming each other.
As a result, NEPRA imposed fines of Rs25 million on each entity and directed both organizations to pay the penalties within 15 days.
