KATHMANDU: Nepal’s Electricity Regulatory Commission (ERC), the national regulator for the energy sector, is set to obtain membership of the South Asia Forum for Infrastructure Regulation (SAFIR), a regional body of infrastructure regulators.
The Cabinet meeting held on November 24 granted approval for the ERC to formally join the forum. The commission had been pursuing SAFIR membership for the past several years.
According to the ERC, the membership marks a significant milestone, enabling Nepal to engage in regional and international regulatory cooperation, share best practices, and strengthen institutional capacity.
With SAFIR membership, the ERC expects improved access to regulatory knowledge, exposure to diverse policy models, and opportunities for research collaboration within the energy sector. The forum also facilitates experience-sharing among South Asian regulatory agencies, contributing to enhanced technical skills and human resource development.
The commission expressed gratitude to the Government of Nepal, particularly the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, Ministry of Energy, and all officials and stakeholders involved, for supporting the membership process.
The ERC emphasised that regional and global coordination is essential for strengthening Nepal’s regulatory capacity. As provisioned under Rule 20(2) of the Electricity Regulatory Commission Regulation 2075, the commission’s chairperson is legally authorised to coordinate and sign agreements with local or international regulatory bodies upon approval from the commission.
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