The executive powers of RAE, the Regulatory Authority for Energy, will be expanded to also cover water and waste management. Energy minister Kostas Skrekas will present the fundamentals of a related draft bill facilitating this change at a cabinet meeting today.

RAE’s expanded role will facilitate the country’s eligibility for EU Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) funds.

RAE is significantly understaffed at present, but possesses the necessary organizational and building infrastructure, as well as experienced staff, all of which should help the authority meet the demands of its expanded role.

A number of other EU member states have already established expanded authorities overseeing energy, water and environmental matters. Ireland, for example, has established the Commission for Regulation of Utilities (CRU), Bulgaria has established its Energy and Water Regulatory Commission (EWRC), while Malta has also founded an equivalent body.