LAHORE - The Progress Report regarding Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses (AT&C) of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs), released by the Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO), has revealed that Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) from KP tops the worst performing DISCOs across the country including all provinces, registering line losses of 141.85 million units.

Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) was declared as worst performer in efficiency of power supply among all DISCOs of Punjab, including Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) and Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO).

Showing the worst power theft in Punjab and remaining at the top in the province, the Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO) has reported line losses and power theft of 16.64 million units. The Sukkar Electric Supply Company (SEPCO) remains on the top in Sindh, losing 20.01 million units while Quetta Electric Supply Company (QESCO) remain topper in Balochistan regarding line losses or power theft, registering loss of 37.37 million units in the month of Nov 2017 only.

In the wake of loss of considerable amount of energy beyond the permissible limit during last five months at 11 kV feeders of all 10 Power Distribution Companies, Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) has directed all Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to prepare robust proposals to reduce the power distribution losses Aggregate Technical & Commercial Losses (AT&C), immediately.

The report said that 50 percent and above losses on 745 feeders were recorded during the month of Nov 2017 which resulted in loss of 250.71 million KWH (units). Whereas the losses at same percentage were recorded during July to Nov 2017 on 1241 feeders of DISCOs (except IESCO) incurred the loss of 2233.67 million units of electricity.

PEPCO management said that this loss is a perpetual drain on the power sector finances and indicates the poor performance and inefficiency on the part of DISCOs.

MD PEPCO Musaddiq Ahmed Khan has directed the CEOs to prepare the proposals including but not limited to the options of outsourcing billing and collection on the aforementioned feeders. The proposals should be placed before respective Board of Directors of DISCOs for consideration, decision and implementation, he added.

MD PEPCO said that progress of DISCOs will be monitored in monthly review meetings, failure to improve reasonably well, may entail extreme measures under applicable rules/law including Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules 1978, Electricity Act and NAB Ordinance, if needed.