Ethiopian Electricity Agency
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About the Agency

Establishment:

The Electricity Proclamation No. 86/1997 of June 1997 gave way to the establishment of the Ethiopian Electricity Agency (EEA) as an autonomous federal government organ. EEA has become fully operational since the beginning of 2000.

Ethiopian Electricity Agency is accountable to the Ministry of Infrastructure. The Agency is striving to fulfill the expansion of efficient, economical electricity supply and equitable distribution through the Regulation No 49/1999 issued by the Council of Ministers, the directives prepared by the Ministry and procedures of the Agency itself so as to play a key role in contributing to the efforts of bring about a rapid socio-economic development in the country.

Vision:
The vision of the Agency is to become a regulatory institution influencing the country's electricity services to achieve world standard.

Mission:
To regulate the sector via transparent and equitable regulatory practice in order to encourage investment and provision of reliable, economical, quality and safe electricity services.

Objective:

  • Make sure the prevalence of safety, reliability and high quality in electricity supply and services.
  • Ensure the prevalence of competition and righteousness in the supply and services of electricity;
  • Encourage the promotion of investment in the electricity sector;

Powers & Duties

  • Supervise and ensure that the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity are carried out in accordance with the Electricity Proclamation No. 86/1997, the regulations and relevant directives;
  • Determine the quality and standard of electricity services and ensure the implementation of them;
  • Issue certificates of professional competence to electrical contractors;
  • Issue, suspend and revoke license for the generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity in accordance with the laws;
  • Study and recommend a tariff and, upon approval, supervise the implementation;
  • Cooperate with training institutions in the field of technical development of electricity;
  • Perform such other lawful activities as may be necessary for the attainment of its objective.

Organization
Headed by a general manager with a little over 60 professional and supporting personnel, the EEA is organized encompassing three operational departments and five supporting services.

Organizational Structure of Ethiopian Electricity Agency

EEA Organizational Structure

Each department and service is responsible to perform the following major duties:

§  Departments

  1. Planning & Tariff Department
    • Specify tariff setting and control mechanism in order to apply when it is approved.
    • Prepare short, medium and long-term plans of the Agency and will follow up their implementation when approved.
    • Collect, arrange and preserve information data as appropriate for consumption by investors or information seekers.
  2. Electrical Works Control Department
    • Apply the safety, technical and service   quality and efficiency directives for the    development and supply of electrical works;
    • Follow up, ensure and rectify the works of electricity development and expansion in conformity with the Electricity Proclamation and Regulation, and directives of the Agency as well as the environmental protection policy;
    • Follow up and ensure that the supply of power to customers is in a balanced and equitable way.
  3. Electrical Works LICENSING DEPARTMENT
    • Examine license requests for generation, transmission, distribution and sale of electricity as per the laws, regulations and directives of the country; and issue, renew, suspend and revoke licenses;
    • Examine, pursuant to the laws of the   country, documents for professional    competence certificate requests; determine categories and certify professionals;
    • Follow up and ensure that payments for licenses and professional competency    assurance certificates are effected on time for the Agency.
  4. Legal Service
    • Forward ideas and render advice for pertinent decisions on periodic amendment of the establishment Proclamation and Regulations of the Agency;
    • Evaluate and give suggestions on the    legal directives of the Agency;
    • Prepare drafts for contract agreements; defend cases related to the activities of and on behalf of the Agency.
  5. Audit Service
    • Audit the Agency's revenue collections and expenditures;
    • Inspect the Agency's procurement procedures, financial and property management, records, manpower management procedures, and books of accounts.
    • Perform pre-audit and post-audit control on financial transactions.
  6. Information & Public RELATIONS SERVICE
    • Collect essential written and electronic information from conferences, seminars, working visits and other similar activities and produce press releases, periodicals and documentary films as paramount records for the Agency and users.
    • Publicize major activities and achievements of the Agency; promote related electricity services development for domestic and international consumption through any available mass communications media in the form of written and other forms of releases;
    • Promote any electrical service in the sector for international organizations, investors and for the public in general.
  7. Administration & Finance Service
    • Perform manpower employment, training, promotion, transfer etc. on the basis of regulations and directives issued by the Government and the Agency.
    • Ensure and control the appropriation of the Agency's allocated budget is as per the financial rules and regulations.
    • Regulate and control the Agency's properties in line with the standing administrative directives; provide efficient office and transport services.
  8. Civil Service Reform Program Office
    • Follow up the implementation of civil service reform studies; and ensure the execution of new ones.
    • Ensure that customers have been fairly delivered services in accordance to the civil service reform principles and guidelines.
    • Follow up the situation of ethics in the Agency; ensure the applications of guidelines issued by the Federal Ethics and Anti-corruption Commission.

§   Historical Synopsis:

 Power Sector Regulatory Activity in Ethiopia

  • 1890 EC remains as a milestone for the introduction of electricity in Ethiopia
    (Emperor Menilik received a generator as a gift from the German Government for lighting service.)
  • 1896 EC a power generator was installed as a source of power for minting coins.
    (Electricity power began becoming a major cornerstone for development.)
  • 1923 EC generation of electricity power extended to light Addis Ababa roads as a result of Haileselassie's coronation ceremony.
    (Power supply and services stilled became dominated by non-productive purposes.)
  • 1933-1938 EC Fascist Italy planted several power generators in some towns improving the expansion of electricity in the country.
    (Expansion of electricity supply and services called for a sort of central management. The Shewa Lighting & Power Office, until 1948 EC, and The Ethiopian Electric Light & Power Authority (EELPA), until 1989 EC, administered the industry with all the powers operations and regulations.)
  • 1948-1989 EC hydropower generation plants of Koka, Tis Abay I and II, Awash II and III, Fincha'a, Melkawakena and Gilgel Gibe became operational.
    (Complexity of operations, inconvenient organizational structure and financial arrangements brought about restructuring of EELPA to become Ethiopian Electric Power Corporation. Global developments pressed the national electricity industry economic management to closely be regulated.)
  • 1989 EC the Electricity Proclamation was promulgated in 1989. Electricity Operations Regulations were issued subsequently in 1991 EC.
    (Electricity power industry falls under regulatory regime.)
  • The Ethiopian Electricity Agency has become fully operational since 1991.
    (Relevant enabling regulatory arrangements, procedures and legal frameworks are under process alongside regulatory operations.)

In the meantime to accomplish its responsibilities, the Agency has identified comprehensive strategies in the strategic plan and management document prepared for seven fiscal years (2003-2009).

The identified strategies are:

  1. Build the Agency's capacity
  2. Regulate the power sector so as to improve the reliability and quality of electric services
  3. Study and regulate the electricity prices and tariffs to improve efficiency
  4. Introduce and acquaint the authorities and responsibilities of the Agency to/with the public.
 
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