Cap. 545 Art. 37Power to make regulations.

(1) The Minister may, after consultation with the

Regulator, make regulations in respect of any of the functions of the Regulator or for the better carrying out of any of the provisions of this Act.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of the aforesaid power such regulations may, in particular provide -

(a) for any aspect relating to the procedure and conditions that may be imposed in relation to any authorisation under this Act including where applicable the grant, renewal, transfer, suspension, cancellation and duration of any such authorisation, the manner in which applications for such authorisations is to be made, the content and form of such applications and how they may be granted, renewed or transferred, the fees payable, and the manner in which renewals or transfers thereof is to be indicated;

(b) for the regulation of any aspect relating to imposition of public and, or universal service obligations, however so described, in respect of any operation, activity or service regulated by this Act;

(c) for the regulation of price structures for resources and where appropriate for the regulation and determination of tariffs, price mark-ups and charges for the supply, storage and distribution of resources and for the use of any systems used in the distribution and transmission of resources;

(d) for securing adequate reserves, where applicable, and for securing the adequate provision of the resources regulated by or under this Act;

(e) for the compulsory acquisition and distribution of any such resources during periods of scarcity;

(f) for the minimum standards to be adopted in, and any other matter related to the conservation, acquisition, supply, sale, storage, generation, distribution, transmission, export, treatment, re-use or disposal and any other practices, operations and activities, regulated by or under this Act including the means by which such resources are to be protected, acquired, supplied, sold, stored, generated, distributed, transmitted, exported, treated, re-used or disposed of;

(g) for the quality of service targets and the establishment and maintenance of an efficient customer service by authorised providers for consumers;

(h) to secure and regulate the conservation, augmentation, operation and use of sources of energy and water as well as the promotion and the harnessing, generation and use of energy and water resources;

(i) for promoting fair competition in all practices, operations and activities related to energy and water;

(j) for the undertaking of studies, research or investigation on any matter relating to the resources regulated by or under this Act and the provision of information, the issue of guidelines to the public and to commercial entities on matters relating to the said resources;

(k) to give effect to any international obligation entered into by Government in relation to the resources regulated by or under this Act;

(l) for regulating the services that may be required in relation to energy and water and the time, manner, place and condition in which or under which such services are to be provided;

(m) for the regulation of the qualifications to be possessed by persons who are employed in any activity regulated by or under this Act;

(n) for matters concerning the construction, condition and maintenance of any facilities, apparatus and other equipment utilised in the provision of any of the said resources or services related thereto;

(o) for prescribing the information to be retained by authorised providers under this Act and the provision of statistical data by such authorised providers, and on any other matter relating to provision of information by authorised providers to the Regulator;

(p) for the making of any deposit or the giving of any guarantee to ensure the performance of any obligation by any person imposed as a condition of any permit, authorisation or licence under this Act;

(q) for prescribing the practices to be adopted in regard to safety, and the protection of the environment in relation to any matter regulated by this Act, including any norms in relation to the liability of any person who causes damage to the environment as a result of any activities regulated by or under this Act undertaken by that person;

(r) regarding a contingency plan in the event of any crisis relating to any matter regulated by this Act;

(s) for complaint processing procedures to be implemented by an authorised provider, and for any matter relating to the resolution of any disputes and, or complaints, however so described, relating to any matter regulated by this Act;

(t) in regard to administrative infringements and fines;

(u) regarding cooperation with other authorities and the relationship between the Regulator and other public authorities including consultations, provision of information and any other matter of mutual interest;

(v) for the procedures to be followed in regard to the settlement of disputes;

(w) for the enforcement powers required by the Regulator to perform its functions under this Act;

(x) for prescribing anything which may be or is required to be prescribed by this Act.