NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 19 – The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has unveiled a new Energy (Electricity Incident and Accident Reporting) Regulations, 2024, that aim to reinforce safety and ease incident reporting in the electricity industry.
Speaking during the unveiling ceremony yesterday, EPRA Director General Kiptoo Bargoria said that the new regulations were drafted in collaboration with Kenya Power and the Directorate of Occupational Safety and Health Services (DOSHS).
He warned that existing laws did not effectively guarantee the protection of life, property, and the general safety of the public in the context of the energy sector, and these new regulations were aimed at addressing the issue.
“As we anticipate these developments, it is only prudent to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the energy sector,” Bargoria stated.
“EPRA has developed these regulations in collaboration with key stakeholders including Kenya Power who own and operate a vast electric grid across the country and DOSHS who are in charge of safety issues in the country,” he added.
According to the DG, the regulations will require licensees to put in place stringent safety and health measures to avert loss of lives, maiming, loss of property, or damage to the environment due to electricity-related accidents arising from poor use or illegal activities.
Some of these measures include reporting incidents within 48 hours to EPRA.
According to EPRA,the regulations require the authority to set up an online system that makes it easier for licensees to report incidents or accidents as guided by the framework.
Licensees will be required to have insurance coverage for any liability that may be incurred due to safety incidents.
“This will provide relief to accident and incident victims as guided by the regulations,” he stated.
He also assured that the regulations would see improvements in safety practices and infrastructure maintenance in the energy sector.
Furthermore, he asserted that this move will be pivotal in ensuring that there will be transparency and accountability in the energy sector.
The DG further alerted that the authority will conduct a survey to ensure that these regulations have been executed immediately.
