There is quite a bit on the IRC’s agenda for the remainder of 2026, and some of that work will deal with issues that may not always be visible to electricity customers but can eventually affect how the sector operates and what consumers pay.
With the Board of Commissioners installed, the Commission has been developing its work plan for the next six months. Executive Director Justinn Kase says the intention is to share the principal areas of that programme with the public rather than have the Commission’s work taking place with little explanation of what is being addressed and why.
One of the first matters on the agenda is the framework for Distributed Renewable Energy Generation systems. The subject has already generated considerable discussion, particularly among solar owners, installers and people considering renewable energy investments. Work on the framework will continue as the IRC considers how distributed generation should operate within Dominica’s electricity sector.
Another matter is much less familiar to the public. During the early morning hours, electricity demand falls. The IRC intends to work with DOMLEC on issues surrounding energy on the grid during these low-demand periods, including matters arising from the contractual relationship between the utility and the geothermal Independent Power Producer. Kase said the Commission will explain this subject more fully as the work develops.
DOMLEC’s operational performance is also returning to the agenda. During the recent tariff consultations, the IRC discussed applying Key Performance Indicators to the utility. The commissioners are awaiting approval of the tariff before progressing that initiative. The indicators are intended to encourage greater efficiency within DOMLEC’s operations.
For customers, this particular piece of regulatory work has a very practical purpose. “The more efficient DOMLEC is, the more money that customers save,” Kase said.
These will not be the only matters occupying the Commission. Other interventions are expected as the work programme develops, and the IRC intends to provide information on them rather than wait until each process has been completed.
For Kase, keeping customers and stakeholders aware of what the regulator is doing is itself part of the job. The Commission therefore intends to continue sharing its priorities, explaining unfamiliar regulatory issues and reporting on progress through the remainder of 2026 and into early 2027.
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