Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) Electricity and Renewable Energy Director Eng. Joseph Okech (left) addressing the media in Kisumu during a public participation drive on the new regulations. /KNA
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has introduced three comprehensive draft regulations to enhance safety, reliability, and consumer protection within Kenya's energy sector.
The proposals, currently undergoing public participation, aim to address critical aspects of energy management, from incident reporting to service quality and licensing protocols.
Epra Director in Charge of Electricity and Renewable Energy, Eng Joseph Okech, said Electricity Incident and Accident Reporting, which is one of the three regulations targets to mitigate risks associated with electrical mishaps.
The regulator said, it has proposed a structured framework for timely reporting and management of electrical incidents to ensure safety as the government moves to extend power connectivity across the country.
The regulations, he said make it mandatory for Kenyans and organisations to report any electrical incidents or accidents within 48 hours.
Affected individuals or organisations, he added, shall be required to conduct preliminary investigations to establish the cause of the accident and furnish Epra with a detailed report.
Epra, he said plans to develop and maintain an online system to facilitate the reporting process for organisations and the public.
Additionally, a 24-hour incident hotline, shall be established to ensure timely reporting and response.
Electricity Reliability, Quality of Supply and Service regulations also undergoing public participation, he said, target elevating the standards of electricity supply and service.
The regulations, he said introduce measures to ensure consistent and reliable energy delivery across the country.
Eng Okech said the regulations establish benchmarks for reliability, quality of supply, and service, holding responsible organisations accountable for maintaining these standards.
Other proposals include compensation for consumers in cases of property damage or bodily injury due to supply failures or poor-quality service.
The third regulations on Electric Power Undertaking Licencing, he said seeks to streamline the licensing process and enforce compliance.
The regulations, he said target all individuals or entities engaged in the exportation, importation, generation, transmission, distribution, or retail supply of electrical energy who must obtain the appropriate licenses from EPRA.
Eng. Okech urged stakeholders and the public to review the draft regulations which are available on EPRA's official website and submit their comments to ensure comprehensive and effective safety standards are implemented.
