adminthe petroleum, electricity and all other forms of energy sectors, bringing uniformity to regulation of the industry.
Energy and Power Development Minister Elton Mangoma in September appointed Mr Canada Malunga as chairman and Ms Betty Katiyo, Tendai Mhere, Mr Tapuwa Mashingaidze, Ms Hilda Shindi and Ms Ndomupeyi Flora Chikonye as board members.
Following the establishment of ZERA all petroleum sector operators (importers, wholesalers, and marketers/dealers) are required to register with the authority.
Therefore it becomes an offence, under the Energy Regulatory Authority Act to operate an electricity undertaking, sell or produce any petroleum product without a licence issued by the new energy regulator.
The new regulatory authority succeeds the Zimbabwe Electricity Regulatory Commission, which ceased operations in September this year.
ZERA said the Energy Regulatory Authority Act Chapter 13:23 number 3/2002 would be read together with the Electricity Act Chapter 13:19-4/2002 and the Petroleum Act Chapter 13:22 number 11/2006.
“ZERA is the new legal entity regulating the petroleum and electricity sectors in terms of its functions and powers as provided for in section 4/2002 of the Energy Regulatory Authority Act (Chap 13:23) 3/2011,” said ZERA.
Prior to the establishment of ZERA the electricity industry was regulated by ZERC while the Ministry of Energy regulated the petroleum sector.
An official from ZERA said that as Government worked to operationalise the Petroleum Act it was deemed better to integrate the petroleum and electricity legislation under the Energy Regulation Authority
Act. From now on ZERA would determine the prices of electricity and petroleum products, balancing the need to ensure viability and rational price levels.
The statutory entity would be an autonomous body whose function would be to regulate the procurement, production, transportation, transmission, distribution, importation and exportation of energy
derived from any source. It would also promote and preserve an efficient energy industry market for distribution of energy in line with demand and international standards and trends.
ZERA would also co-ordinate importation, exportation and pooling of energy from energy sources in the Sadc and Comesa regions, among other functions.
The authority shall have a board consisting of not less than six members and not more than nine.
At least half of the members shall be women appointed by the responsible minister with the approval of the President.
Online Reporter