To enhance quality of life and business growth in Vanuatu by ensuring  reliable, customer friendly electric and water services at reasonable prices, available to all who demand it.

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) is the economic regulator of electricity and water services in Vanuatu. URA approves tariffs for electricity and water services for private providers under Concessions Contracts and the State-Owned water enterprise. URA also assists in resolving consumer complaints and advises the Government on policy and legislative matters related to electricity and water.

URA was created in part to promote the consumers long-term interest and to increase access to safe, reliable and affordable electricity and water services throughout Vanuatu.

In the electricity sector, URA monitors the concessions operated by private utilities in Luganville, Port Vila, Malekula and Tanna islands. URA 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 city, Port Vila.

Objectives:

• Enhance rapid access to power and water, especially in outlying and rural communities;
• Contain prices for these services to affordable levels through efficiencies in operations, fuel mix, renewable, IPPs, smart grid, smart metering and competition;
• Create incentive mechanism through pricing and public education to promote efficient use of power and water resources;
• Ensure safe and reliable services through standards of safety, reliability, performance monitoring and enforcement
• Develop mechanism and tools to enhance consumer protection, consumer care and improved relationships between service providers and consuming public;
• Make electricity a vehicle for growth in Vanuatu by offering business competitive prices and reliable supply in the region; and
• Strengthen URA organization structure and skills through training and professional development.

URA is an initiative of the Vanuatu Government with 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

VUI Electricity Tariff Review (September 2018)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (the ‘Authority’) Commissioners in its meeting of 13th September 2018 Ordered Vanuatu Utilities Infrastructure Limited (VUI) to increase its currently applied tariff of 36.29 Vatu/kWh to 38.52 Vatu/kWh. This represents a 6.14% increase in the contemporary electricity prices applied in Luganville and the Port Olry micro-grid. The Order is guided by the Authority’s Final Decision Order as made on the 13th of September 2018.

Read the Media Release l Read the Related Report

Authority's Findings Compliance Concerns in relation to Port Vila Water Concession Contract

The Authority has published its findings in relation to compliance concern on the Port Vila Water Contract. This finding is also published as Notice No 97 of 2018 in the Official Gazette No 65 of 2018.

Read the Report

Authority's Findings Compliance Concerns in relation to Port Vila Electricity Concession Contract

The Authority has published its findings in relation to compliance concern on the Port Vila Electricity Concession Contract. This findings is also published as Notice No 9 of 2018 in the Official Gazette No 63 of 2018.

Read the Report

Electricity Prices in Luganville Expect To Increase by 6.14%

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (The 'Authority') has released its Preliminary Decision in the matter of Vanuatu Utilities Infrastructures (VUI) Tariff review of Electricity price in Luganville and Port Olry electricity customers.

Read the Media Release l Read the Related Report

The Concession Contract of Water Supply Services in Port Vila (July 2018)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority ("The Authority") has been requested by the Government to provide its independent advice on the proposed Addendum No.6 - of the Concession Contract for the Management and Operation of the Water Supply Services in Port Vila. The Authority, in response to the Government has provided a position outlining the Authority's analysis and advice on the proposed addendum.

Read the Position Paper

UNELCO Electricity Tariff Review - Final Decision - (May 2018)

The Authority is pleased to issue its Final Decision in the matter of UNELCO's Electricity Tariff Review on Friday 04th May 2018 after its Preliminary Decision on September 2017.

Read the Media Release l Read the Related Report

UNELCO Overcharges Customers for Electricity and Water Billings (October 2017)

This announcement is issued to inform customers that UNELCO may be overcharging you on your September and October electricity bills and 3rd quarter water bills.

Electricity and water customers can refer to respective links below to assist in recalculating their bills based on the URA approved tariffs.

Read the Media Release l September 2017 Electricity Tariff l October 2017 Electricity Tariff l 2017 Quarter 3 Water Tariff

Electricity Fact Sheet - (October 2017)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) is pleased to present this Electricity Fact Sheet providing information on electricity in Vanuatu particularly within the four concession areas of Port Vila, Luganville, Malekula (Lakatoro) and Tanna (Lenakel) in which the two main utilities, UNELCO and VUI operates.

Read Related Report

UNELCO Electricity Tariff Review - Preliminary Decision - (September 2017)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority issued its Preliminary Decision (PD) on the tariff Application filed by UNELCO in August 2016 (revised in December 2016) in the matter of electricity tariff review for the Port Vila, Malekula and Tanna Service areas.

Read Media Release l Read Related Report

Santo Fund Report (August 2017)

This report presents the use of the "Santo fund for electricity related projects" (the Santo fund) for the period from July 2015 to July 2017 covering VUI's invoicing period of kWh's billed between April 2015 and March 2017 inclusive.

Read Related Report

Consumer Complaints and Dispute Resolution Rules and Procedures

The CCDR Rules Case U-0009-14 sets out a clear process for the Authority to dealt with consumer complaints, it receive in accordance with section 19 of the URA Act. The CCDR (as amended) is in force as of 20 February 2017.

Read Related Report

VUI Electricity Tariff Adjustment decrease by 10.44%

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) Commission has issued an order to the Vanuatu Utilities and Infrastructure Limited (VUI), to reduce its currently applied tariff of 40.25% Vatu/kWh to 36.29 Vatu/kWh. This is an average price reduction of 10.44%

Read Media Release l Read Related Report

Public Notice - Electricity Tariff Review Filing by UNELCO - (September 2016)

UNELCO has filed a Tariff Application with the Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) requesting review of its electricity tariffs for Port Vil, Malekula and Tanna for the rate period 2016-2021.

Read Notice

Public Announcement:Right to Self-generation of electricity through Solar PV Installations (Published by Daily Issue 4790 21 May 2016)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) is aware that people in Vanuatu have considered generating electricity for self-use using Solar PV installation.

Read Announcement

Utility Billing and Payment Rules (May 2016)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) has sets out the Final Decision and Commission Order issuing the Utility Billing and Payment Rules for Water and Electricity Services URA Case S-0016-14.

Read Related Report

Standards for Solar PV Installations (April 2016)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) Commission has issued the Standards for safe installation and operation of zero export Solar Photovaltaic (Solar-PV) systems (Installation) Case S-0003-15 by electric customers in Vanuatu.

Read Related Report

Port Vila Water Tariff (September 2015)

The Utilities Regulatory Authority (URA) has published its Final Decision on Water prices in Port Vila Case - U-0022-14. The final base price issued is 50.54 vatu, a reduction from the current price of 59.28 Vatu.

Read Related Report

Electricity Bill Comparison Report (June 2015)

The URA released its third electricity bills comparison report for the pacific island countries and territories. CEO Hasso Bhatia, PhD said "it is a challenging but useful exercise to gather, compile and disseminate current regional energy prices.

Read Related Report

To see all the media releases and feature stories, visit the NEWS section.