The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority (ESERA) is the governing body responsible for regulating the energy industry in Eswatini. It was established in 2011 under the Regulatory Act of 2007. The authority’s primary objective is to ensure that the energy area operates efficiently, effectively, and sustainably.
The agency is responsible for regulating the activities of all stakeholders in Eswatini, including electricity generators, distributors, and suppliers. The authority also regulates the petroleum and gas sectors. The authority mandate is to ensure that prices are fair and reasonable and that consumers are protected from unfair business practices.
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Aims of ESERA
The Eswatini Energy Regulatory Authority has three main goals. Firstly, to regulate the power sector in Eswatini. This includes ensuring that power providers comply with regulations and standards and monitoring the quality of service provided to consumers. Secondly, it aims to promote competition in the power market, which will lead to better prices and services for consumers. Finally, the unit is committed to promoting the use of renewable power sources in Eswatini, to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and to promote sustainable development.
ESERA is committed to achieving these goals through a range of activities. These include monitoring energy providers to ensure that they comply with regulations, conducting research and analysis to inform policy decisions, and engaging with stakeholders to promote the use of renewable power sources. It also works closely with other government agencies and international organizations to promote best practices in the power field. These collaborations and activities are further detailed in the following sections.
Services provided
ESERA offers a wide range of services to ensure that the sector is efficient, reliable, and sustainable. Here are the chief services offered by the unit:
Licensing of energy operators
The agency is responsible for issuing licenses to energy operators in Eswatini. This ensures that only qualified and competent operators are allowed to operate in the sector.
Tariff regulation
It regulates the tariffs charged by power operators to ensure that they are fair, reasonable, and affordable to consumers.
Consumer protection
The agency protects the interests of consumers by ensuring that power operators provide quality services and products. ESERA also handles consumer complaints and disputes.
Renewable energy promotion
The division promotes the use of renewable sources such as solar, wind, and hydropower. This helps to reduce the country’s dependence on fossil fuels and promotes sustainable development.
Energy efficiency promotion
The unit promotes power efficiency by encouraging the use of energy-efficient technologies and practices. This helps to reduce power consumption and costs.
Monitoring and enforcement
It monitors the activities of operators to ensure that they comply with the law and regulations. The unit also enforces penalties and sanctions for non-compliance.
Research and development
The agency conducts research and development activities to improve the efficiency and sustainability of the sector.
Capacity building
The authority provides training and capacity-building programs to operators and stakeholders to improve their skills and knowledge.
Stakeholder engagement
The unit engages with stakeholders such as consumers, power operators, and government agencies to ensure that their views and concerns are taken into account.
Policy development
The agency develops policies and regulations to guide the development of the sector in Eswatini. These policies are aimed at promoting sustainable development, power security, and economic growth.
ESERA plays a critical role in regulating and promoting the sector in the country. Its services are aimed at ensuring that the sector is efficient, reliable, and sustainable.
Energy sector and ESERA
The sector in the nation has seen significant growth in recent years. This is largely due to the efforts of the ESERA, which has worked tirelessly to ensure that the country’s needs are met. It has been instrumental in creating a regulatory framework that encourages investment in the sector, while at the same time protecting the interests of consumers.
One of the key achievements of ESERA has been the establishment of a competitive electricity market in Eswatini. This has allowed for the entry of new players into the market, which has led to increased competition and lower prices for consumers. ESERA has also been working to promote the use of renewable sources, such as solar and wind power, which has helped to reduce the country’s reliance on fossil fuels.
