The Electricity Regulatory Commission has made public its annual plan and program for the upcoming fiscal year. The plan and program mention goals such as improving the electricity sector, making electricity services accessible, reliable, and safe, protecting consumer interests, and formulating regulatory instruments related to these objectives.

Commission Chairperson Ram Prasad Dhital stated that the Commission’s 279th meeting held on Sunday approved the annual plan and program for the upcoming fiscal year. The Commission also mentioned that it will formulate an appropriate strategy to timely revise power purchase agreements of hydropower projects.

The Commission plans to conduct studies and research related to determining the production cost of hydropower projects. The plan also mentions arrangements to assess and verify the technical and financial progress of power projects through independent third parties or consultants. The Commission expects that such evaluations will not only help ascertain the actual progress of project construction but also provide clear information to investors, thereby facilitating investment decisions.

Through its plan and program, the Commission has stated that it will develop a grievance redress mechanism, establish an electricity consumer forum, and conduct public hearing programs at the provincial level to ensure consumer-friendly service delivery.

The Commission has set a goal to enhance the capacity of the Document Management System, which it implemented to make its operations swift, service-oriented, technology-friendly, and paperless. It also aims to review the content and format of existing power purchase agreements as needed.

To ensure a long-term, reliable, regular, and balanced supply of electricity, the Commission has proposed a plan to determine appropriate, transparent, and consumer-friendly tariff rates for energy storage technologies such as reservoir-based and pumped storage systems.

Source: Kantipur