The mandate of RERA is derived from the Constitution in terms of its objectives and functions.
Objectives:
According to the Constitution, the objectives of RERA fall into four broad categories, namely:
- Capacity Building and Information Sharing
Facilitate energy regulatory capacity-building among Members at both a national and regional level through information sharing and skills training. - Facilitation of Energy Sector Policy, Legislation and Trade
Enhance the increasing integration of energy systems and energy trade in the Southern African region and beyond through the facilitation of harmonized policy in Energy Sectors, legislation and regulations for cross-border trading, focusing on issues affecting the economic efficiency of energy interconnections and energy trade and on terms and conditions for access to transmission and distribution capacity, safety and cross-border tariffs. - Consumer Protection and Communication Services
Enhance consumer awareness and protection through dissemination of information and standardization of consumer rights, protection and communication in accordance with best practices and national legislation. - Regional Regulatory Co-operation
Deliberate and make recommendations to members on issues that fall outside national jurisdiction, and to exercise such powers as may be conferred on RERA through the SADC Energy Protocol.
Functions:
In order to achieve its objectives, the functions of RERA shall be to:
- monitor and evaluate energy regulatory practices among Members to determine regional training needs;
- develop, conduct or manage information and capacity-building programmes;
- promote and support the development of independent energy regulators in Member countries where same are not presently established;
- source funding for the implementation of programmes and projects;
- facilitate co-ordination in the development of the following key areas:
- regional energy regulatory policies, legislation and trade; and
- energy market structures in the region.
- promote research and prepare position papers on key aspects of regional energy regulation, including but not limited to examination of policies, strategies and legislation in the Energy Sectors of the region in comparison with international trends and best practices;
- require members to provide information as may be reasonably required to facilitate the co-ordination of energy trade and systems operations, in conjunction with industry players;
- facilitate the management of an information database relating to the regional Energy Sectors and regional energy trade, taking into account the confidentiality of commercially sensitive information;
- investigate and deliberate on issues referred to it by Members or emanating from any other source, relating to matters which impact on the development of integrated energy supply systems in the southern African region;
- promote where necessary the establishment of norms and standards for the Energy Sectors across the SADC region, including (but not limited to) environmental and safety regulations; and
- establish working relationships with other agencies that promote the regional development and co-ordination of energy related matters.