President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih established the Utilities Regulatory Authority on Sunday, after abolishing the Maldives Energy Authority.

The Utilities Regulatory Authority was formed as mandated under Article 3 (a) of the Utility Regulatory Authority Act, which was ratified on Sunday.

While the Act establishes an official authority to regulate and oversee the proper management of the public utility services, the Utilities Regulatory Authority will be run under the Ministry Environment.

The directive also specifies that the number 485 should be used in all official letters sent to the Utility Regulatory Authority under the numbering system for all state agencies.

With the establishment of the Authority, the president on Sunday dissolved the Maldives Energy Authority.

The Utility Regulatory Authority Act defines the mandate of the regulatory body, including general guidelines, plans and procedures in the provision of utility services.

Its objectives include providing high quality utility services to all those residing in the Maldives in a more affordable, sustainable and trustworthy manner which is efficient and also environment friendly, as well as to establish a penalising mechanism to ensure that special laws and regulations in relation to utility services are adhered to.

The government-endorsed Utility Regulatory Authority Bill was passed by the People’s Majlis on November 23, with 63 lawmakers voting in favour while two abstained from the vote.