The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) has introduced a solar water heating regulation that could see property owners face a one-year jail term or a fine of $10,000 if they fail to comply with the regulation.
Pavel Oimeke, ERC’s director general confirmed the punishment for non-compliance and said the commission is presently conducting a surveillance visit to all buildings undergoing construction and making random visits to current properties to make sure that they have complied with the regulation.
ERC is mandated to regulate all forms of energy including renewable energy, to protect stakeholders’ interests, to prepare an indicative national energy plan, among other duties.
The Solar Water Heating Regulation
Proposed in 2012, the regulation requires that all premises with a hot water requirement of more than 100 litres per day shall install and use a solar water heating system. The regulation singles out premises such as restaurants, boarding schools with more than 20 students, laundries, domestic residential premises, and hotels and lodges.
Owners have until 25 May 2018 to abide to the regulation which aims to promote the use of renewable energy in the country to achieve the broader Sustainable Development Goal of affordable and clean energy.
The regulation also prohibits electricity supply to premises that have not complied with the rules laid down.
