Our Objectives are to increase access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity and water services, and to protect the long-term interests of consumers throughout Vanuatu.

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) is Vanuatu’s economic regulator of electricity and water services. It manages consumer complaints and advises the government on matters related to electricity and water. It also renegotiates tariffs under the rules of the Concessions Agreements.

The Authority was created in part to promote the consumers’ long-term interest and to increase access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity and water services.

In the electricity sector, the Authority monitors the concessions operated by utilities in Luganville, Port Vila, Malekula and Tanna islands. It may also regulate the small utilities operating outside the concession areas.

In the water sector, the Public Works Department supplies the town of Luganville and other small communities in the country, and a private company operates in the concession area in Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila.

The Authority is an initiative of the government with additional financial support from AusAID through the Governance for Growth (GfG) Program in cooperation with the World Bank.

Please visit the ABOUT THE URA page to learn about our objectives and structure.

LATEST NEWS

Media Release:Final decision on Regulatory Reporting Requirements for electricity utilities (September 2013) The regulator for water and electricity services in Vanuatu, the Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA), has released its final decision on “Regulatory Reporting Requirements” for electricity utilities.

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Media Release: URA pacific region electricity bills comparison (24 September 2013) In recent times, the price of electricity has become a controversial topic: it is often mentioned that the prices paid in Vanuatu are high, but these statements are rarely supported by facts and evidence.

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Media Release: URA welcomes amended legislation (28 August 2013) Parliament voted to approve a bill to amend the Utilities Regulatory Authority Act, in a move to strengthen regulation of the electricity and water industries in Vanuatu.

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Media Release: URA approves pre-payment meters for Port Vila (16 August 2013) The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) has published its final decision for a new pre-payment meter scheme for electricity customers in Port Vila.

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Energy Market Report - September. Learn more about how much electricity is produced in each concession area in Vanuatu and which sources are used.
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To see all the media releases and feature stories, visit the NEWS section.