Shehri, vice governor of the Electricity and Co-generation Regulatory Authority (ECRA), based in Riyadh, described the steps the government is taking to ensure reliable, affordable electricity. The strategy is to use market forces, as opposed to government controls, to achieve results. The Kingdom, he said, plans to foster competition among privately held generating companies at the wholesale and retail levels, with the government owning and maintaining only the transmission and distribution grid. Also, ECRA is developing new fee structures to influence consumers to save power. One feature will be time-of-use rates, in which the costs will vary according to demand. “We are seeking to achieve the right balance between making the power generation business attractive to investors, encouraging responsible use by consumers and protecting the interests of the poorest segments of our society,” Al-Shehri said. --MORE
