Regulatory and policy options to encourage development of ...

MODULE 9: RENEWABLE ENERGY: REGULATORY AND POLICY OPTIONSpage 9.872. ENERGY REGULATION IN GHANA2.1. Institutional structure of the energy sectorThe energy sector in Ghana is managed at different levels by the organizationsdetailed below. For simplicity, the various institutions are grouped under policy,regulatory, operational and support institutions. Some of their roles overlap—forexample the roles of the Energy Commission and the Environmental ProtectionAgency in licensing petrol filling stations.Policy institutions The Ministry of Energy: As part of the executive arm of Government, theMinistry is the ultimate body responsible for development of energy policy forGhana. The ministry is responsible for developing and implementing energysector policy in Ghana, and also supervises the operations of the agenciesassociated with the sector.Regulatory institutionsThese include: The Energy Commission (EC): An independent agency responsible for licensing,regulating and monitoring private and public entities operating in theenergy sector. The commission also collects and analyses energy data andcontributes to the development of energy policy for Ghana. EC was establishedin 1997 in accordance with the recommendations of the Power Sector ReformsCommission (PSRC). The Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC): An independent agency setup as recommended by the Power Sector Reforms Commission (PSRC) to overseethe performance of the public utilities. PURC is mandated to protect theinterest of consumers and to examine and approve the rates chargeable bythe utilities. 2 Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): Responsible for establishing, monitoringand enforcing environmental policies for the country. EPA has oversightresponsibility in any activity that is likely to have an environmental impact.EPA monitors the activities involved in the production and use of energy.2Public Utilities Regulatory Commission Act, 1997 (Act 538).