Draft legislation for privatisation of electricity services for Thursday’s sitting
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National Assembly |
BASSETERRE, ST. KITTS, MARCH 28TH 2011 (CUOPM) – Draft legislation providing for the corporatization of the electricity services in St. Kitts goes to the St. Kitts and Nevis National Assembly later this week.
The St. Christopher (Electricity Supply) Bill, 2011 provides for the supply of electricity in the island of St. Kitts to allow for the privatisation of electricity services and for related matters.
The 29-page legislation provides for the appointment of a Public Utilities Commission, the granting of a license to supply by wind or photovoltaic generation to secure regular and efficient supply of electricity, the safety of the public from personal injury or fire
The draft legislation gives the Minister the power to appoint a vesting day on which there shall vest in a successor company, free of any trust, express or implied the whole of the undertaking of the Electricity Department together with all land, buildings, electric lines, electric plants, electric installations, electrical fittings and all other materials, appliances, equipment and apparatus used for, by or in connection with the production and supply of electricity in Saint Christopher; all interests, rights, easements, assets, or liabilities, which immediately before the vesting day were enjoyed or borne by the Electricity Department and the right to recover monies due and payable to the Electricity Department in connection with the production and supply of electricity.
As from the vesting day, the Electricity Department shall cease to generate, distribute, supply and sell electricity for public and private purposes; promote and encourage the effective and efficient development and administration of the supply of electricity.
The role of the Public Utilities Commission is outlined and describes its powers, duties and functions which includes the promotion and encouragement of an effective and efficient development and administration of the electricity supply; oversee the generation, distribution, supply and sale of energy for public and private purposes; promote the interests of consumers of electricity supplied by persons licensed to supply electricity in terms of the prices charged and the other terms of supply; the continuity of supply; and the quality of the electricity supply services provided as well as encourage the operation and development of a safe, efficient and economic electricity sector in St. Kitts
It also deals with electricity inspectors, the consent for supply of electricity, consent for alteration, fees and request by the consumer to test meter and the supply of electricity by public supplier, including the power to discontinue supply, re-connection, fraudulent Abstraction and notice by consumer before quitting premises or property.
Information related to the consumption of electricity to be determined by meter, the public supplier to keep meters in repair and the penalty for damaging meters and for reconnecting service line without consent is included.
A section outlines that the charges to the consumer shall be in accordance with such tariffs of rates and charges and that a new occupier not to be liable for arrears.
A number of ancillary provisions are also contained in the draft legislation which is being circulated ahead of the sitting of the National assembly meeting on Thursday.