The National Transmission and Despatch Company Ltd. (NTDC) was hit with an additional fine of Rs. 10 million by the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) due to a power supply failure and partial blackout caused by the collapse of eight towers, including two 500 kV Dadu-Jamshoro Transmission Line towers and six 500 kV Port Qasim Matiari towers, as a result of cyclonic wind and thunderstorms.
Additionally, for the same reasons, the 1320 MW Port Qasim (IPP) evacuations were also put on hold; however, on May 31, 2022, they were reinstated.Before that, NEPRA took the issue seriously and established an inquiry committee to fully look into the situation in light of Laws, Rules, and Regulations.
The Committee carried out the aforementioned investigation and provided the Authority with a comprehensive report, on the basis of which the Authority filed legal action against NTDC.
NTDC was then given an explanation on March 29, 2022, in accordance with Rule 4(1) of the NEPRA (Fines) Rules 2002, and on August 2, 2022, a show-cause notice, in accordance with Section 41 of the Act. However, NTDCL was unable to respond within the allotted period.
Ex-parte proceedings were consequently brought against NTDC, and it was found to have broken pertinent NEPRA Acts, Rules & Regulations, Grid Code, and 2005 NEPRA Transmission Performance Rules. In light of the aforementioned, the NEPRA fined NTDC Rs. 10 million.
