NEPRA fines CPPA for delayed power restoration after 2021 blackout

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has held the National Grid Company and the Central Power Purchasing Agency (CPPA) responsible for failing to restore electricity promptly after a major blackout four years ago.

Both companies have been fined 25 million rupees each.

According to NEPRA’s ruling, on 9 January 2021, the country experienced a 20-hour nationwide blackout, and the National Grid Company and CPPA failed to restore power immediately.

The decision noted that power outages also occurred in 2021, 2022, and 2023, and both companies repeatedly failed to ensure timely electricity restoration.

NEPRA had formed an investigative committee to look into the blackout. During the hearings, the National Grid Company and CPPA were unable to satisfy NEPRA with their explanations. Both companies tried to shift responsibility onto each other.

NEPRA has ordered the companies to pay the fines within 15 days.