The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) on Monday invited the public to submit their views on public participation workshops aimed at discussing key regulations drafted by the authority to govern the energy sector.
Among the new regulations is the proposed Energy (Electricity Incident and Accident Reporting) Regulations, 2024, which will impose strict penalties for non-compliance in reporting accidents that occur during electricity installations.
According to the regulations, individuals licensed by the authority who fail to report incidents or accidents occurring at their workplaces within the required 48-hour timeframe will incur a daily fine of Ksh5,000 for up to 30 days, while a complete failure to report will result in a penalty of Ksh100,000 for each unreported case.
Furthermore, companies that falsify reports or fail to keep accurate records of accident incidents at their premises will also face fines of Ksh100,000.
In addition to reporting requirements, the draft regulations will impose penalties on individuals who fail to appoint a responsible person to ensure safety compliance on their premises, with a daily fine of Ksh5,000 until the position is filled.
Individuals licensed by the authority who fail to investigate reported accidents will also be fined Ksh5,000 per day to ensure that all incidents are thoroughly reviewed and mitigation measures are implemented.
Moreover, neglecting to follow directives from EPRA will incur a Ksh100,000 fine for each breach, reinforcing compliance with safety standards.
To discourage repeat violations, the regulations state that licensees penalised for any infraction will face double fines for future offences. Additionally, any unpaid penalties will be treated as civil debts, making them legally enforceable and recoverable through the courts.
The Director General of EPRA, Daniel Kiptoo, has now invited members of the public to attend public consultative workshops, which will be held from March 17 to 24 this year.
The workshops will be conducted across the country, including the Mt Kenya, Lake, North Rift, and Coastal regions. The forums will also be held in Nairobi, as well as in counties within the North Eastern and Eastern regions.
The proposals come a fortnight after the regulator gazetted a new set of fines under the proposed Energy (Electric Power Undertaking Licensing) Regulations, 2024. The regulations outline penalties for violations, including constructing or operating a power generation facility without EPRA’s approval.
The regulations developed by EPRA apply to individuals or entities engaged in, or intending to engage in, the exportation, importation, generation, transmission, distribution, or retail supply of electrical energy.
According to the published penalties in the Gazette notice, any person found guilty of providing false information to EPRA regarding energy generation activities will face a fine of Ksh10 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
