Our mandate is outlined in section 10 of the Electricity Act 1999 and further detailed out in our 10-year Strategic Plan. The functions of the ERA as laid out in the Act are:
To issue licenses for; - The generation, transmission, distribution or sales of electricity; and - The ownership or operation of transmission systems;
To receive and process applications for licenses;
To prescribe conditions and terms of licenses issued under this Act;
To modify licenses issued under this Act;
To make and enforce directions to ensure compliance with licenses issued under this Act;
To establish a tariff structure and to investigate tariff charges, whether or not a specific compliant has been made for a tariff adjustment;
To approve rates of charges and terms and conditions of electricity services provided by transmission and distribution companies;
To review the organization of generation, transmission and distribution companies or other legal entities engaged in the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity to the extent that that organization affects or is likely to affect the operation of the electricity sector and the efficient supply of electricity;
To develop and enforce performance standards for the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity;
To encourage the development of uniform electricity industry standards and codes of conduct;
To establish a uniform system of accounts for licensees;
To advise the Minister regarding the need for electricity sector projects;
To prepare industry reports and to gather information from generation, transmission and distribution companies;
To prescribe and collect license fees;
To provide for the procedure for investment programmes by transmission and distribution companies;
To approve standards for the quality of electricity supply services provided;
To approve codes of conduct in respect of the operation of transmission and distribution systems;
To acquire information and carry out investigations relating to any of its functions; and
To perform any other function that is incidental or consequential to its functions under this section, or as may be conferred on it by any other law.
