Power Regulator, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has launched the Consumer Protection and Installation Permits Center to be a point of interface between the Authority and the electricity consumers in all the categories of domestic, commercial, medium industrial, the large industrial, extra large industrial and street lighting.
The facility located at Old ERA House, Plot 15 Shimoni Road, Nakasero Hill in Kampala was launched by the Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa on Thursday.
The centre will also be a point of interface between the Installations Permit Committee (IPC) and the installation wire persons, and ERA.
The IPC is a committee of ERA established by the statutory instrument to among others regulate the activities of the installation wire persons and issue the installation permits.
Nankabirwa, while launching the facility said that many Ugandans knowing her as the Minister of Energy, have many times approached her office seeking help because they are not aware about which office handles issues related to power.
“An elderly lady from Makindye comes to my office seeking help. Then I have to look through her papers to know which office is responsible. I am happy that some load has been put off my shoulder. Therefore, it is the Consumer Protection and Installation Permits Center to handle all that,” she said.
Speaking at the same event, the ERA Board Chairperson, Sarah Wasagali Kanaabi said that ERA has commenced the process of establishing a Regional Coordination Office at the same facility to intensify the supervision of licensed companies and extend services to customers.
Kanaabi also revealed that ERA has submitted a bid to host the Independent Regulatory Board (IRB) of the East African Power Pool.
“We are already competing, and we have made steps to host that regional body,” she said.
The IRB is a regional institution established in 2005 to coordinate bilateral power trade as the East African region focuses on the completion of the critical regional interconnection among countries of the East African region.
Hosting IRB, she said, benefits Uganda to have greater influence in the region, and steer the agenda to develop the regional power pool.
Commenting on Uganda’s bid to host the IRB of the East African Power Pool, Nankabirwa said Uganda pre-qualifies.
“Hosting the Secretariat for East African Power Pool, Uganda qualifies. What will others say? Uganda Electricity Regulatory Authority has been ranked…. That is qualification number one. Tell them that we are ready, and we are open to help others also,” she said.
This year, ERA marked 22nd anniversary. The Authority has registered enormous accomplishments in the past two decades of existence.
The electricity industry has experienced tremendous growth which has earned ERA, and the country local and international recognition for the last four years.
In September this year, ERA was ranked and recognized by the Institute of Corporate Governance of Uganda in the corporate governance award, as the entity with the best corporate governance practices in Uganda.
As government continues to work towards transforming the lives, ERA Chairperson Board pledged the Authority’s commitment to ensure that the electricity sub sector effectively supports the implementation of government programs to promote the social economic transformation of Uganda.
The focus of ERA for the electricity sub sector, Kanaabi said is the delivery of quality and reliable power supply, making electricity services affordable and accelerate access to electricity.
photo: The Minister of Energy and Mineral Development, Ruth Nankabirwa launching the Consumer Protection and Installation Permits Center at Old ERA House Plot 15 Shimoni Road, Nakasero Hill in Kampala.