Electricity licensing legislation goes before MPs
Regulations covering the use of new technologies for the island’s power supply were brought before legislators at the House of Assembly on Friday.
Alexa Lightbourne, the Minister of Home Affairs, tabled two negative resolutions: the Electricity Amendment Act 2022 (Consequential Amendments) Regulations 2023 and the Electricity (Innovative Licence) Regulations 2023.
The latter will enable the “application, evaluation and issuance of licences for companies wishing to test or deploy new technologies in the electricity sector”, Ms Lightbourne said.
“These regulations were designed to ensure robust oversight by the Regulatory Authority and require appropriate environmental assessments, public consultations and compliance with grid and safety standards,” she added.
The Consequential Amendments Regulations 2023 modifies statutes including the Marine and Ports Services Act 2021 and the Public Lands Act 1984.
MPs heard that the amendments were to remove “legal ambiguity”, and open the way for work on pilot or demonstration projects.
Ms Lightbourne said: “Although both regulations were enacted in 2023, there has been a notable delay in operationalising the innovative licence framework.
“The Regulatory Authority, due to internal capacity and resourcing constraints, was not in a position to receive or process licence applications. This delay created procedural uncertainty for prospective applicants and risked undermining the intended benefits of the legislative amendments.”
She said the regulations would position the RA to begin “accepting applications and issuing licenses in accordance with the prescribed framework”.
• To read the minister’s statement in full, see Related Media
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