The overall functions for the Ministry are as follows:
- Formulate and implement energy and power development policies.
- Develop a legal and regulatory framework for the energy sector.
- Monitor and evaluate the implementation of approved energy and power development policies and programmes.
- Initiate and implement desirable reforms in the power and petroleum sectors.
- Facilitate the empowerment of indigenous players in the sector.
- Plan and coordinate energy supply and power development options.
- Create an enabling investment environment in the energy sector.
- Provide oversight on state enterprises and parastatals in the energy sector.
- Promote the development and efficient utilization of renewable and non-renewable sources of energy.
- Promote the use of energy efficient technologies and techniques.
- Develop a database on energy use technologies and investment opportunities as well as disseminate such information.
- Facilitate the implementation of research and development in the energy sector
Energy Regulatory Bill
The Ministry has been operating on different Acts of Parliament, with regards to energy. This means that different RegulatoryBoards / Commissions had to be set up to ensure the smooth regulation of the energy sector. Realizing this arrangement would require a lot of resources and also result in the duplication of functions, the Ministry resolved to come up with one regulatory board which will regulate the energy sector. This bill will amend the Petroleum Act (Chapter 13:22) and the Electricity Act (Chapter 13:19) so as to allow one board to regulate the petroleum industry, the electricity sector and any other energy resources.
The draft Energy Regulatory Bill seeks to establish an energy regulatory board; to provide for the functions, powers and management of the said board, to provide for the licensing of undertakings for the production and handling of various forms of energy. Further, this arrangement will ensure that all energy related issues are dealt with under one roof.