Ghana officials from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) embarked on a benchmarking trip to Kenya on Monday, February 12 to acquire valuable skills and insights from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Their primary focus during this visit was to study the regulatory and infrastructural framework within the energy sector, particularly learning from the experiences of EPRA.
“The members of PURC Ghana are visiting Kenya to conduct a benchmarking study on the regulatory and infrastructural framework within the energy sector,” Director-General of EPRA, Daniel Kiptoo Bargoria said.
Daniel Kiptoo expressed his delight in hosting the Ghanaian delegation led by the PURC Board Chairman Ebo Quagrainie.
“Today, EPRA had the honor of hosting a five-member delegation from the Public Utilities Regulatory Commission of Ghana at our headquarters in Upperhill, Nairobi,” he stated.
EPRA on Sharing Expertise
In a statement, the EPRA boss emphasized the significance of knowledge exchange between regulatory bodies in different countries highlighting that Kenya’s effective separation of energy services stands as a significant learning opportunity.
“Kenya’s energy sector has undergone successful unbundling of energy services and therefore offers a wide range of experience to share with other countries,” he explained.
Kiptoo further expressed EPRA’s readiness to collaborate and share expertise with PURC officials, underscoring the importance of international cooperation in advancing regulatory practices and enhancing energy governance.
“We are glad to share our expertise with PURC Ghana,” Bargoria affirmed, signaling Kenya’s commitment to fostering regional partnerships and contributing to the development of robust regulatory frameworks across Africa.
Also Read: Uganda’s Govt Officials Visit EPRA to Learn Mangement Tips
Uganda Officials Visit EPRA
Earlier in September 2023, the energy regulatory authority welcomed a delegation from Uganda’s government officials visiting the country to benchmark on successful management of the energy sector.
According to an EPRA statement, the delegation came to learn about EPRA’s pivotal role in supporting Kenya’s energy diversification strategy.
Also, Uganda’s delegation learned some of EPRA’s best practices that have contributed to the country’s resilience and success in the energy sector.
Additionally, the statement highlighted the discussion on tariff principles, which have played a crucial role in achieving the country’s ambitious energy mix targets.
Also Read: EPRA Allowed to Regulate Solar, Wind, Biomass Energy
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission, Ghana
Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) is a multi-sector regulator of electricity and water utility provision services.
PURC is an independent body and is not subject to the control of any authority in the performance of its functions.
The establishment of the Commission was part of the Government of Ghana’s utility sector reform process.
By virtue of the Ghana’s Energy Commission Act, 1997 (Act 541) PURC also regulates transportation of natural gas services.
The visit of the Ghanaian delegation and Uganda to Kenya reflects a growing trend of cross-border collaboration among regulatory authorities in the energy sector.
Such initiatives not only facilitate knowledge transfer but also strengthen relationships between countries, paving the way for mutual growth and development in the energy industry.
