Transparency and Public Consultation Practices : Electricity Governance Initiative Toolkit

Transparency and Public Consultation Practices : Electricity Governance Initiative Toolkit Prayas (Energy Group) SAFIR Core Course Sri Lanka, March 2013

Outline • Overview of Electricity Governance Initiative (EGI) • EGI Toolkit • Desired public participation and transparency processes Prayas Energy Group

What is Electricity Governance Initiative ? Collaborative effort of World Resources Institute and Prayas Energy Group Works with regulators, policy makers and civil society groups in several countries (e.g. India, Indonesia, Thailand, South Africa, Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan) Objectives of EGI: Develop systematic understanding of electricity governance processes Develop a common language to understand governance in the sector Establish benchmarks of best practice Build capacity Prayas Energy Group

HOW decisions are made shape WHAT decisions are made Governance: process of decision-making and implementation Good governance is necessary for good outcomes (although not sufficient) Example: demand forecasting or tariff revision Often controversial and debated outcome Good process allows: Different perspectives to have a voice Space for debate on merits Clarity about underlying assumptions Prayas Energy Group

Governance Principles Transparency and Access to Information Complete, Easy Access to Participation Meaningful, Substantive Accountability and Access to Justice Institutional space, accessibility Capacity to meet these requirements of good governance Resources, structures and processes Prayas Energy Group

The EGI Toolkit: A Brief Description A framework of critical research questions about institutional actors and decision-making processes in the electricity sector Answers to research questions generate qualitative indicators of governance Legislative, executive, regulatory levels, as well as some key operational issues Covers environmental and social concerns Addresses both law and practice Prayas Energy Group

BASELINE INDICATORS: MAPPING THE ELECTRICITY SECTOR • POLICY PROCESSES • Institutional • Legislative Committee • Executive • Planning Agencies Policy Formulation • Reform and policy change processes • Quality of participation and debate • Media coverage Implementation • Asset Evaluation • Privatization • Subsidies • Mandate and capacity • Jurisdiction • Minimum standards • Planning and reform • Environmental impact assessments • Project-affected people • Labor impacts • Clean technologies and approaches • REGULATORY PROCESS Structure • Authority and Autonomy • Financial + Human Resources • Function and Jurisdiction Decision-making processes • Pro-activeness • Public participation • Civil society capacity Operations • Performance Reporting • Tariff Philosophy • Consumer Service and Quality of Supply • Mandate and capacity • Responsiveness • Engagement with the public • Affordability • Representation of weak stakeholders ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL Prayas Energy Group

EGI Toolkit Indicators • Total 64 indicators, half are priority indicators • Some indicators based on ‘case studies’ • Selection of ‘case studies’ • Each indicator consists of few attributes / elements • Values – Low, Low-medium, Medium, Medium-High, High Prayas Energy Group

Information Disclosure Prayas Energy Group

Public Participation …1 Prayas Energy Group

Accountability ..1 Prayas Energy Group

Accountability …2 Prayas Energy Group

Concluding comments • Wealth of information available about good process to enhance transparency and public participation. • Needs • Genuine intentions and efforts • Consistency • Responsiveness Prayas Energy Group

Thank you www.electricitygovernance.org www.prayaspune.org The Electricity Governance Initiative Toolkit, Benchmarking Best Practice and Promoting Accountability in the Electricity Sector : Dixit, S., Dubash, N.K., Maurer, C. & Nakhooda, S. 2007. Washington DC & Pune: WRI & Prayas Energy Group. Prayas Energy Group

Transparency and Public Consultation Practices : Electricity Governance Initiative Toolkit