The Electricity Regulatory Commission has obtained membership in the South Asian Forum for Infrastructure Regulation (SAFIR). In the cabinet meeting held on Mangsir 8, it was decided to grant the Commission approval to become a member of the forum.

With its membership in SAFIR, the Commission will gain access to information on various regulatory practices necessary for improvements in the electricity sector.

The Commission has stated that it will facilitate the exchange of experiences and knowledge among regulatory bodies from different countries and promote energy-related research and development. It further noted that capacity building, sharing of best practices and knowledge, and the flow of technical expertise among regulatory institutions will contribute to the enhancement of the nation’s human resource capabilities.

During the process of obtaining SAFIR membership, the Commission’s Chairperson, Ram Prasad Dhital, expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal, the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, the Ministry of Energy, Water Resources and Irrigation, and others for their support and cooperation.

According to Sub-rule 2 of Rule 20 of the Electricity Regulatory Commission Regulations, 2075, the Chairperson may, on behalf of the Commission, contact regulatory bodies or institutions at home or abroad and enter into agreements with the Commission’s approval, if necessary. The Commission has stated that it has been actively involved in the process of obtaining membership in the forum over the past few years.

Dhital stated that SAFIR membership will be a significant achievement for the Commission in terms of exchanging experiences with regional and international regulatory bodies, adopting best practices, and developing regulatory skills and capacities.

The Electricity Regulatory Commission, established under the Electricity Regulatory Commission Act, 2074 (2017), is an autonomous and independent regulatory body responsible for regulating Nepal’s electricity sector. Under the Act, the Commission is mandated to simplify, regulate, organize, and ensure transparency in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and trade; maintain the balance between electricity demand and supply; regulate electricity tariffs; protect the rights and interests of electricity consumers; make the electricity market competitive; and ensure that electricity services are reliable, accessible, high-quality, and safe.

The Commission has stated that, since electricity regulation is a relatively new and emerging field for Nepal’s power sector, coordination and cooperation with regional and international regulatory institutions and bodies will be undertaken to enhance the technical and institutional capacities required for the Commission’s operations and regulatory responsibilities.

Kantipur