RERA Meeting in Malawi Aims to Harmonize Southern Africa's Energy Regulation
For Malawi, the event provided an opportunity to learn from other countries' experiences in advancing the energy sector, said Fitina Khonje, spokesperson for MERA.
LILONGWE, Malawi — The Regional Energy Regulators Association of Southern Africa (RERA) held its portfolio and subcommittee meetings this week in Malawi, convening over 100 delegates to strengthen cooperation and advance sustainable energy development across the region, writes Bridgette Mwanoka.
Hosted by Malawi's Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) from June 4-7 in Lilongwe, the gathering aimed to synchronize energy policies, legislation, standards and regulatory procedures among RERA's 12 member countries.
"The meeting aimed at synchronizing policies, legislation, standards, and regulatory procedures among member states while fostering effective cooperation," explained Skhumbuzo Tsabedze, chairperson of RERA's subcommittee.
Discussions focused on economic and technical regulation aspects within the electricity, fuel and gas sectors, according to Tsabedze.
For Malawi, the event provided an opportunity to learn from other countries' experiences in advancing the energy sector, said Fitina Khonje, spokesperson for MERA.
RERA, through its guidelines, facilitates cross-border electricity trade and investment, laying the groundwork for national regulatory authorities to enable an efficient, integrated and sustainable regional energy market.
"RERA also seeks to enhance regulators' capacity and promote universal access to modern, clean, and affordable energy services," Khonje added.
The meetings drew participants from energy regulators in Angola, Botswana, Eswatini, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe alongside the Malawian delegation.
Enhancing harmonization of regulatory frameworks is a key focus as RERA aims to bolster Southern Africa's energy security and access through closer regional integration and collaboration among its members.