ERB Ensuring Compliance on the Northern Circuit

By Kasonde Nkole

The Energy Regulation Board’s (ERB) this year celebrates 20 years of service to the nation through issuance of licenses, monitoring the efficiency and performance of utilities and ensuring they comply with relevant standards and license conditions. ERB opened its first office in Lusaka in 1997.A growing need to bring energy regulation closer to the public, paved way to the opening of the Copperbelt Office in Kitwe in 2005 and Southern Region Office in Livingstone in 2012.

ERB Northern Region office in was launched on 1st October 2015. It is envisaged that the Regulators ability to attend to stakeholders would be better achieved by the office in Chinsali to stakeholders in Luapula, Northern and Muchinga Provinces.

Northern Region Office in Chinsali Now in its second year of existence the Northern Region Office is promulgating the Boards mandate by monitoring the operations of licensees through technical audits and complaints investigation to ensure licensees uphold standards. From Kaputa to Chinsali,Chienge to , Kasama to Samfya, Mpika to and all surrounding areas.

Electricity infrastructure audits are conducted to uphold standards

In the Electricity sub-sector, ERB has conducted six Environmental Impact Assessments that spell the promise of development for the region. The areas were these assessed have been done include the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) grid extension projects in Chembe, Kawambwa and Milenge districts, a 100 Kilowatt (KW) hydro power generation project for own use at Kalungwishi Estates in Kasama district and the three cascade 326 Megawatts (MW) hydropower stations in Mpulungu for Lufubu Power Company.

On the other hand in the petroleum subsector, by 2015 the region had twenty (20) Petroleum retail service stations. The ERB Northern Region Office has since approved commissioning of eight (8) service stations bringing the current total to 28 service stations. In addition, five projects have had Environmental Impact Assessments (EIAs) conducted in the region Sam Fuel in Mansa, Odux Petroleum in Kasama, LBM in Kasama, Japawa Inn in Nakonde, Rising Africa Oil Limited in Isoka and the TAZAMA Bulk Depot in Mansa Districts. The Northern part of the is seeing an increased rate of energy consumption and economic activity hence facilitating investment in the energy sector.

The regulator conducts infrastructure audits to ensure compliance station. Picture taken in Mpulungu District

Community engagement plays an important role in disseminating information to all stakeholders rendering the motto “we safeguard your interests” true. The Board has provided various channels to engage stakeholders. So far, public meetings have been held in Mansa and Kasama. Awareness programmes on radio stations have been conducted on Mpika FM, Isoka FM, Radio Mano, Thuta FM and Muchinga FM.

According to a study by the International Association for Public Participation, community engagement is pivotal in promoting change for purposeful decision making and action. The growing demand for the regulator is prevalent to the investment activity the region is receiving. An increased number of Oil Marketing Companies and investment in solar and hydro-electric power generation bolsters the potential of growth in the energy sector

Participants at a community engagement meeting in Kasama

These and many other efforts point to the regulators efforts in contributing to national development by regulating the energy sector in order to ensure efficient provision of reliable and quality energy services and products in accordance with its mission.

The Regulator has an obligation to ensure licensees are fair in the delivery of services to consumers in the energy sector. Complaints handling (receiving and investigating) is a core function of the ERB to ensure consumers are not infringed, further enhancing consumer know-how on their rights and obligations.

Complaints that have been received and resolved by the Northern Region Office in collaboration with the licensee include; delayed service connection to power supply, alleged under throwing pump, non-provision of compressed air, non-issuance of quotations and Illegal Fuel Vending to mention a few. It should be noted that complainants are advised to submit complaints to the ERB only if the company providing the service does not respond to the written/verbal complaint after seven days.

The EBB has investigated all reported incidents or accidents that occur in the sector. The Northern Region Office has investigated among others cases of road tank vehicles being involved in a Road Traffic Accident,, electrical related incidents and/or accident such as electrocutions and flash burns. These accident may involve employees of licensed companies or any victims along the supply chain on or off the premises of licensed companies.

An overturned Petroleum Tanker poses an environmental threat and potential firestorm

The Regulator is firm in the delivery of its mandate sticking to regulatory principles and international best practices. This entails that approaches in relation to price regulation and engagement with various stakeholders may change. However, the institution endeavors to be inclusive by consulting widely on all regulatory decisions.

All in all, the future outlook of the energy investment is bright with the increasing economic activity. Consumer and institutional need for the regulators input protecting their rights highlights a buy-in by the population of the need for the regulators efforts in the region we can conclude that, the facets of regulation are being embraced.