Goma: Electricity Sector Operators Adhere to ARE’s Decision to Establish a Steering Committee for the Implementation of New Distribution Perimeters

After definitively settling the electricity distribution conflicts between the operators working in the City of Goma, namely SNEL SA, SOCODEE SA, VIRUNGA ENERGIES SAU, and NURU SASU, a delegation from the Electricity Regulatory Authority (ARE), dispatched by its Chief Executive Officer, Professor Sandrine MUBENGA NGALULA, carried out an official mission from November 17  to 21 , 2024 in order to execute Decision No. 2024-002-CCARE issued by the ARE on August 13, 2024.

The Director of Provincial Representations of ARE, Pascal TSHIMBALANGA MUYEMBE, explains:  « Our presence in Goma follows several missions we conducted in the past. Indeed, ARE had inherited a conflict of perimeters even before its installation in 2020. In order to solve the issue, ARE applied the principle of exclusivity of electricity distribution perimeters enshrined in Law No. 14/011 of June 17, 2014, of the Electricity Sector in order to eradicate the mess observed in the City of Goma for almost a decade. »

The delegation of ARE stated that their mission had two components: the preparations for the establishment of the Steering Committee responsible for monitoring the implementation of the Decision rendered by the ARE, and the evaluation of the operators’ activities as well as the level of the customers’ satisfaction.

During this mission, ARE will examine the issue of the electricity distribution plan in the City of Goma. It is worth noting that there is a Consumer’s Unit within ARE which is dedicated to addressing conflicts between consumers and their electricity suppliers.

Prior to the meeting with the various electricity sector operators to discuss the thorny issue of perimeters, the delegation of ARE conducted a site visit of operator’s facilities. They met the leaders of NURU SASU, SNEL SA, SOCODEE SA and VIRUNGA ENERGIES SAU.

Regarding the establishment of the platform responsible for resolving perimeter conflicts, Mr. Pascal TSHIMBALANGA stated: « It was a closing meeting of the preparatory activities for the establishment of the Steering Committee. We discussed with the operators and all the other inter-state stakeholders on the format, the structure, the bodies and the modalities of operation of this permanent consultation framework. »

Several compromises were found. « The operators who were present were satisfied, they approved this approach and adhered to it. Prior to their implementation, our delegation presented the resolutions of the meeting to the Governor of the North Kivu Province, who is the competent authority of the electricity sector at the level of this province,  » affirmed Director Pascal TSHIMBALANGA.

In addition, the operators shared their outlook with their hosts. « We shared our expectations to see this Steering Committee serve as a framework where the outstanding issues will be resolved in the spirit of serenity necessary for our investments, so that consumers have access to quality electricity service as intended by the law, » said one of the operators.

« We believe that the committee will work adequately and objectively so that we can achieve results that will lead us to harmonization on the perimeter issues that continue to create squabbles between certain operators because some have concession contracts qualified as exclusive, and others do not… If we can meet SOCODEE’s concerns, » reacted Jean-Marie BUKONDO, Lawyer representing the SOCODEE company.

Mr. Pascal TSHIMBALANGA and his team also visited the various operators to inquire about their activities, and this initiative pleased more than one. « It must be said that we are very flattered and very satisfied with this visit by the regulator because the mission that was the subject of our discussions today concerns the decision taken by the regulator to clarify the concession distribution perimeters of each operator. NURU has perfectly adhered to the decision of the regulator., » said a NURU official.

Grateful, the operators did not hide their admiration for the work that ARE is doing. « We have benefited from exceptional support from the regulator in the context of the certification of compliance of our 1.3-megawatt solar photovoltaic power plant in Goma-Ndosho. Starting from the selection of the independent expert to the execution of the mission on the ground, until we received our certificate of compliance which still reassures us, » declared the official of the NURU Company.

Consumers not forgotten.

In addition to the issues related to perimeters, ARE investigated various matters related to consumers. « We believe, » said Mr. Pascal TSHIMBALANGA, « that it is necessary to reassure all consumers in North Kivu in general and in Goma in particular. The fight led by His Excellency, the President of the Republic and Head of State, Félix TSHISEKEDI TSHILOMBO, to continuously supply each consumer with electricity finds adequate responses with what ARE is doing through the management of its Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Sandrine MUBENGA. »

ARE/COMMUNICATION