By Tolit Ivan
Power regulator, the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA), on Tuesday opened a regional office in Gulu city to bring services closer to the community.
The ERA mandate is to regulate the generation, transmission, distribution, sale, export and import of electrical energy in Uganda. ERA is also mandated to ensure that the electricity market is efficient, prices charged are fair, access to electricity is maximized both in urban and rural areas, rights of the customers are protected and electricity is adequate, reliable and safe; Others are ensure that the there is a leveled playing field for the customers, operators, investors and intending investors.
Speaking at the event, Dr Ruth Nankabirwa, the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, tasked the power regulator to ensure an end to unreliable power supply in northern Uganda to enhance trade and development in the region.
Her statement follows concerns by the area leaders about the persistent power outage and high electricity tariffs which they say are detrimental to investment.
ERA Chief Executive Officer Eng. Ziria Waako Tibalwa says the opening of a regional office in the region underscores the authority’s commitment to bringing essential regulatory services closer to the local populace.
She noted that the regional office will among others help to facilitate the timely resolution of electricity complaints, ensuring the streamlined processing of installation permits, power reliability monitoring, and monitoring of the implementation of government investment projects.
Uganda’s installed electricity capacity is expected to rise to 2,000 Megawatts by the close of this year once the 600-megawatt Karuma Hydro-power plant in Kiryandongo District becomes fully operational.
