ROLES OF THE AUTHORITY
The Utilities Regulatory Authority (Authority) is established as an independent regulator of electricity and water services in Vanuatu. Its primary purpose is to ensure utilities charge an affordable and reasonable rate of electricity or water tariff to their customers while also ensuring the viability of the utility companies.
A utility, by definition under the URA Act, is a person who supplies regulated service to a consumer for payment and includes its related entity. A utility can be concessionaire, the Government or a private company supplying electricity and water to customers for payment.
Under the Act the Authority sets the maximum price of electricity and water which a utility can charge to its customers. The Authority also acts as a mediator between utility customers and utility to resolve any dispute a customer has with respect to an aspect of a regulated service (e.g : electricity or water billing, safety issues etc.)
OUR MISSION
The Mission of the Authority is: “To enhance quality of life and business growth in Vanuatu by ensuring sustainable, safe and reliable energy and water services at reasonable prices accessible to all who demand it.”
OUR VISION
The Vision of the Authority is: “To improve access to energy and water services and to protect the long-term interests of consumers with regards to price, access, affordability, sustainability, safety, quality and reliability of energy and water services, throughout Vanuatu “
OUR STRATEGIC OBJECTIVES
To achieve its Vision, the Authority has the following strategic objectives to pursue which are to:
- Improve effectiveness and efficiency of our regulatory functions;
- Strengthen and monitor price and safe provision of regulated services;
- Promote reliability and enhance quality of regulated services;
- Identify means to enable regulated services to become more affordable;
- Maximise access to regulated services;
- Promote utility service resilience and environmental conservation objectives through regulation;
- Enhance regulatory capacity to regulate petroleum products.