Understanding Licensing

For individuals and businesses wishing to generate electrical power via solar generation.
For individuals and businesses wishing to generate electrical power of 20Kw and over.
For those wishing to generate electricity for commercial use using a generation facility.
DOMLEC's request to IRC of its intention to renegotiate its current license.

Licensing in Dominica

The challenge IRC faced was providing a licensing framework for Regular Licenses (licenses other than interim licenses), especially generation licenses. Prior to the inauguration of IRC, there were already a number of existing and prospective independent power producers interested in investing in the generation of power in Dominica. It envisaged that a number of these companies will be approaching The IRC requesting licenses to enable them to commence operation.

To tackle this challenge, the Legal Support/Licensing Division will immediately have to review the terms in the Act and work on the drafting o a regulation on the application for licenses.

The draft regulation among other things provided for the manner and procedure for applying for a license.

Under the mandate provided by Electricity Supply Act  (ESA) #10 of 2006, the IRC is empowered to license all industry participants involved in the following activities:

Electricity Generation in excess of 20KW
Electricity Generation under 20kW that require direct or indirect connection to the National Grid.
Electricity Distribution and Supply.
Electricity Transmission

Additional information that guides the licensing can be obtained within the Commission’s Decision Documents. These are: 

  1. Licensing Procedures – Reference No. 2009/001/D
  2. Adding Capacity to the Public Supply System – Reference No. 2008/002/D

Further clarification on issues related to licensing can be obtained directly from the office of the Commission.

Applicants will be expected to obtain application forms from the Commission’s office or website, complete the forms and attach all the required documents which will be needed to assess their legal, technical and business competence to undertake the licensed activity.

Applicants are also required to publish notices of their application for a license in two local newspapers, to enable stakeholders and the general public make their input in the form of objections or other comments. (The Commission has this responsibility according to the Act, but it is considered necessary to have the applicant carry out this function for themselves. The Commission could also publish its receipt of such applications.)

Any objection filed will be considered taking into cognizance the rules of natural justice and fair hearing. The decision to grant or refuse a license lies within the discretion of The IRC who is mandated to take into consideration such factors as the ability of the applicant to comply with industry codes (technical and financial), the sufficiency and veracity of the documents submitted as well as well as the general public interest.

Applicants whose applications are refused also have the opportunity to appeal the refusal or seek a review of the decision.

The IRC will be under an obligation to ensure that the period between the its acknowledgement of the acceptance of an application and the time it informs an applicant of its decision or proposed decision to grant or refuse a license is not more than 90 days. The timeline given is to ensure prompt consideration of all applications.

The Regulation will also makes provision for the procedures for the amendment, renewal, suspension and cancellation of licenses and in all these respects, The IRC will be careful to ensure that the licensee is given ample opportunity to present his case to the Commission or in public as the commission has an obligation to hold public hearings whenever the need arises to allow for transparency and fairness.

The proposed regulation will be widely published nationwide asking for inputs and contributions from industry participants, stakeholders and the general public before the final regulations could be adopted. Care will also taken to dispatch the draft regulation to major stakeholders including DOMLEC and intending IPPS and unions of electricity services contractors, as well as consumer groups, to ensure their participation in the entire process.

By the end of the time specified for responses, The IRC will have received a number of comments from stakeholders, most of which should prove quite useful, and probably will be adopted in the final regulation. The regulation will then be adopted and approved by the Commission, after which, with the regulation in place, The IRC will then be empowered to commence the licensing of industry participants using a framework that was designed to encourage easy entry into the market while ensuring that global best practices are also enforced.

News / Insights / Notices

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IRC Hosts Public Consultation on WACC for DOMLEC
IRC Begins Public Consultation on WACC for DOMLEC
CRC Representatives: Saint Paul and Saint John
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Rosette Germaine

After Hurricane Maria was quite a challenging period for my family and to get my home electrified. What a relief that was when the IRC intervened. That …

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Mary-Ann George

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Cynthia Bellot

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