Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) has approved and gazetted the Electricity (Acquisition and Use of Wooden Poles in the Electricity Supply Industry) Guidelines, 2020 as part of its mandate to develop and enforce Performance Standards for Generation, Transmission and Distribution of Electricity
This comes many years after ERA has noted with concern the short service of Wooden Poles erected onto the Distribution and Transmission Networks in Uganda, which has contributed to Poor Quality of Service. Wooden poles are supposed to last about 20 years but in Uganda, due to poor quality of service, they have been rotting away in about five years.
According to statement by ERA, the guidelines by the regulatory authority will aim to Guarantee the Service Life of Wooden Poles to a Minimum of 20 (Twenty) Years after they have been erected onto the Electricity Network
The guidelines will also aim to Provide for and encourage the Tracking and Mapping of Wooden Poles erected onto the Electricity Network as well as Set the Standards for the Quality of Poles that are procured and used in the Electricity Supply Industry in Uganda
‘’ A Licensee shall Effective March 1st 2021 only erect poles on the network fitted with an Electronic Chip or similar device that has the ability to store the following information about the pole: The Source of Pole/Supplier, the Date of Treatment the Date of Erection, the Length of the Pole, a Unique Identification Number, the Global Positioning System (GPS) Coordinates of the Pole, the Age of the Pole Before Treatment..’’- ERA guidelines state.
The Guidelines according to ERA will apply to all persons holding a Licence or Certificate of Exemption issued by the Electricity Regulatory Authority for Power Distribution, Transmission and any other activity that involves the use of poles for Distribution, Transmission or Sale of Electricity.
“A Licensee shall ensure that all poles procured comply with the Standards of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). A Licensee shall procure Wooden Poles from the List of ERA-Registered Suppliers notwithstanding paragraph b) of Clause 5 of these guidelines, the Licensee shall ensure that any Service Provider procured meets the Minimum criteria enlisted in the Schedule of these guidelines,” the guidelines state.
On the source of wooden poles, ERA states that, ‘’ A Licensee shall ensure that all poles procured comply with the Standards of the Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS). A Licensee shall procure Wooden Poles from the List of ERA-Registered Suppliers. Notwithstanding paragraph b) of Clause 5 of these guidelines, the Licensee shall ensure that any Service Provider procured meets the Minimum criteria enlisted in the Schedule of these guidelines’’
How Ecobank is Betting on Inclusive, Tech-Powered Learning in UgandaERA adds that the Licensee shall ensure Competition in its Procurement Processes as well as procure Wooden Poles with a Guaranteed Service Life of atleast 20 (Twenty) Years and warranty of 10 (Ten) Years.
To facilitate proper Planning and Seasoning of Poles, ERA says, a Licensee shall place Pole Orders with Wooden Pole Suppliers at least Six (6) Months in advance and shall also inspect the premises of a Wooden Pole Supplier to confirm that the Supplier has the following:
(i) Adequate space for storing Pole Stock and Seasoning for a period of at least Six (6) Months to ensure the right moisture content in accordance with the UNBS Standards;
(ii) Adequate equipment to facilitate the Handling and Movement of Poles;
(iii) A Pole Treatment Plant; and,
(iv) Adequate equipment to Test the Poles after Treatment.
Among the requirements for Registration of Wooden Pole Service Providers includes that a Wooden Pole Supplier shall keep a register of all the persons from whom it sources poles for treatment. The Wooden pole supplier shall also be an ISO-Certified Company with respect to Quality Management Systems; and if not, the certification shall be obtained within One (1) Year from the date of registration.
