ERC working to ensure reliable electricity service

By A Staff Reporter Kathmandu, May 9: Chairman of Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC) Dilli Bahadur Singh said that as a regulatory body of the power sector, the Commission has been aggressively working to prepare regulations to make the electricity market competitive and the electricity services more reliable, accessible and safer.

"In the three years of its establishment, the Commission has formulated 10 regulatory instruments and other 15 regulatory instruments have been drafted by giving priority to the work of stakeholders and service recipients," he said while addressing the 3rd establishment day of the Electricity Regulatory Commission on Sunday.

"In the process of preparing the grid code of transmission grid for the construction and operation of the transmission line, the preliminary report of the grid code has been prepared and the work has started to finalise it," he said.

He said that the entire work related to grid code would be completed and bring into implementation as soon as possible.

The Commission has reduced the electricity tariff rate by an average of 9 per cent and also decided to provide free electricity to the consumers consuming up to 20 units monthly.

He said that the tariff rate has been fixed to encourage the use of electric stoves and electric vehicles with the objective of displacing gas.

Chairman Singh said that the Commission is committed to work for ensuring the reliable energy to the consumers at an effective rate through the regulation by considering the interest and financial condition of power utility and producers as well.

He said that regulatory tools will be formulated and implemented on the basis of need and justification for the purpose of expanding its work, duties, responsibilities and regulatory access.

"We have planned to digitise the services of the Commission adopting technology gradually. The Commission would pay special attention to the study and research of risk identification and solution measures of power projects," he said.

Ram Prasad Dhital, former member of ERC, said service of ERC should be credible and professional.

"We have to focus on increase consumption of electricity by ensuring reliability. In the meantime, it is necessary to focus on export surplus electricity," he said.