Kenya through its Energy Regulatory Commission(ERC) has started a crackdown on buildings without solar water heaters following the lapse of the deadline for solar water heating regulations compliance.
The regulations introduced in 2012 in Kenya requires that owners and occupiers of domestic residential premises, educational institutions, cafeterias, hostels, hotels and other similar facilities to install solar water heaters.
The regulations target all premises with hot water requirements of more than 100 litres, says Energy Regulatory Commission director general Pavel Oimeke.
A notice from ERC also cautions the public against fraudsters posing as officials from the commission going round the country and inspecting building for compliance.
“The commission is currently doing random spot checks on buildings for compliance. We have also received information that fraudsters who claim to be ERC officials are doing inspections in relation to these regulations”,reads ERC statement published on newspapers today.
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ERC notifies Kenyans that officials from the commission have official identification budges and premises owners should request to see the badges.
Additionally, officials will use ERC branded vehicle with blue number plates. Further, the authenticity of the inspecting officer can be verified by sending the text message “staff<space>ID no. of the person inspecting” to 0707667623.
Kenya came up with the energy, solar water heating regulations 2012 to encourage use of renewable sources and ease pressure on the national grid.
Owners of commercial and residential buildings who have not installed solar water heating systems face a jail term of one year or a fine of Sh1 million.