1. What is the Bhutan Electricity Authority?
The Bhutan Electricity Authority (BEA) is a functional autonomous agency established as per Section 7 of the Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 to regulate the electricity supply industry of Bhutan. The Authority consists of four Commission members and a Chairman, appointed by the Minister as per the Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 and has a full-time Secretariat in Thimphu.
2. What is the legal basis for the BEA?
The Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 enacted by the National Assembly during its 79th session provides the legal basis.
3.What is the purpose of the Electricity Act?
The Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 is enacted to:
3.1 Restructure the electricity supply industry;
3.2 Regulate the electircity supply industry through the BEA;
3.3 Allow private sector participation in the electricity supply industry based on policy approved by the Royal Government of Bhutan;
3.4 Empower the Royal Government to create companies for carrying out all or any of the purpose of the Act
4. What are the functions of the BEA?
The functions of the BEA are:
4.1 To regulate the electricity supply industry;
4.2 To set technical, safety and performance standards for the electricity supply industry;
4.3 To develop electricity tariff regulations and approve domestic tariffs;
4.4 To develop subsidy regulatons;
4.5 To issue licences and monitor compliance to licences;
4.6 To settle disputes that may arise between licensees and between licensees and customers;
4.7 To prescribe royalties, fines and penalties, to be paid by licensees.
5. Who will BEA regulate?
- Bhutan Power Corporation Limited (BPC) and
- Hydropower generating companies (currently DGPC and Tala)
- Any agencies involved in construction of power projects or power systems.
6. How will the BEA benefit consumers?
As a regulator, BEA shall:
- monitor the compliance of technical and safety standards of electricity supply to consumers and also the quality of electricity service to consumers;
- attend to grievances filed by the cnsumers aganist the electricity supplier;
- regulate the tariff that the utility charges the cnsumer through its Tariff Determination Regulation, so that the consumers are charged reasonably.
7. What are your Rights as a customer?
As a customer you have rights to the following:
7.1 To be supplied with safe and reliable electricity supply;
7.2 Tariffs that are fair and reasonable;
7.3 To be given proper notice when electricity supply in going to be disrupted for maintenance purposes;
7.4 Disconnection of electricity supply only after prior written notice;
7.5 Compensation for loss or damage caused by proven negligence of the licensee;
7.6 To receive bills on time;
7.7 Make appeals to BEA when Licensee defaults in supplying electricity to the consumers.
8. What are your duties as a customer?
As a customer the following are your basic duties to:
Comply with the provisions of Section 43 of the Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 which are as under:
8.1 Comply with the safety regulations in place;
8.2 Do no tsteal electricity, it is a crime;
8.3 Pay your bills on time;
8.4 Do not tamper with electrical installations;
8.5 Report any problems that you may notice on electrical installations;
8.6 Compensation as stipulated in the Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 shall be paid only upon written claim for compensation has been lodged with the licensee.
9. Some Safety Tips
9.1 Always insist on original plugs, wires and sockets;
9.2 Do not use locally fabricated water immersion heater to heat water;
9.3 Never overload outlets;
9.4 Never use water to put off electrical fires;
9.5 Always provide Multiple-Earth-Neutral (MEN);
9.6 Always provide protective devices for your expensive electronic appliances;
9.7 Always use appliances of standard voltage rating;
9.8 During lightning, do not use electrical appliances (TV, radio, etc..).
10. Some Energy Conservation Tips
10.1 Insulate your water geysers;
10.2 Make sure your water geysers are not set to high;
10.3 Insulate your house as best you can during the winter;
10.4 Use energy saving electric bulbs;
10.5 Always put off the switches when not in use.
11. You may obtain copies of the Electricity Act of Bhutan, 2001 and other Regulation, Codes, etc. from the address given below.
Chief Executive Officer
Bhutan Electricity Authority
post Box No. 1557
Thimphu : Bhutan
Phone(PABX) # +975-2-327317
Fax # 975-2-38757
Email: bea@druknet.bt
Website: www.bea.gov.bt
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