The Energy & Utilities Department has regulatory responsibilities for the electricity services sector, the petroleum sector; the water and sewerage sectors as well as the regulation of electricians. This department, although small in size, has been working towards improving the various sectors under its remit by drafting policy and modernizing the regulatory frameworks governing the sectors.
• A policy was drafted for the Water and Sewerage Sector to ensure the sustainable management of water resources and better oversight of water and sewerage operators across the TCI. Modification to the institutional arrangements and the enhancement of the regulatory regime to improve oversight of the sector is to undertaken.
• Work related to the reform of the legislative and regulatory framework of the energy sector is ongoing. This work entails significant and fundamental changes to the electricity sector that will ensure a more balanced and robust framework for the regulation of the energy sector, in particular electricity, thereby ensuring a more sustainable energy future for the TCI.
• Building upon the electrician licensing regime now in place, the department has begun initial consultations with relevant stakeholders for the establishment of a similar licensing mechanism for solar PV installers, practicing in the TCI. The licensing process will ensure only competent and capable persons are allowed to undertake work in this field to ensure safety to personnel, property and equipment.
• A national audit and inspection of petroleum storage and handling facilitates across the TCI will be conducted as part of a qualitative risk assessment of the sector. This work is intended to identify existing operational and structural gaps and to put in place measures for addressing identified deficiencies. The legislative framework of the petroleum sector will also be improved to ensure going forward, improved oversight, monitoring and compliance to establish industry standards to ensure improved safety to personnel and property.
