Sensitization Meeting

on
ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS

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GENERAL INFORMATION
• Malawi Energy Regulatory Authority (MERA) was established under
section 3 of the Energy Regulation Act to regulate energy undertakings in
the country.
• MERA is governed by 5 pieces of legislation (Collectively, Energy laws)
namely
• Energy Regulation Act;
• Liquid Fuels and Gas (Production and Supply) Act;
• Electricity Act;
• Electricity (Amendment) Act and
• Rural Electrification Act
• There are also subsidiary legislations in the form of By-laws and
Regulations.

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THE LEGAL FRAMEWORK
• The Electricity by-laws of 2012, the Electricity (Amendment) Bylaws of
2018 and the Electricity (Amendment) Bylaws of 2021 are the main laws
governing electrical installers in Malawi
• The by-laws contain detailed and elaborate provisions relating to electricity
on matters relating to:
(a) Licensing of electricity undertakings
(b) Installation permits
(c) Supply and quality of service
(d) Safety code Rules
(e) Wiring
(f) Customer service
(g) Tariffs and Charges

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ELECTRICAL INSTALLATIONS PERMITS
• By-law 10
• A person shall not practice as an electrical installations person unless he has a valid
permit issued by MERA.

• Any electrical installer who is carrying any works involving electricity without a permit is
breaking the law.

• By-law 206 of the Electricity (Amendment) By-laws of 2021 states that Electrical installers
without a permit can be prosecuted and fined the sum of K500,000 and imprisoned for
six months
• By-law 206 (3) and (4) of the Electricity (Amendment) By-laws of 2021, MERA may
impose a monetary penalty if an Electrical installer is found without a permit. If the
person does not pay the penalty, they shall be prosecuted in line with Bylaw 206(1)

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TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL
INSTALLERS
• They are provided in by-law 12 of the Electricity (Amendment) Vas follows:
(a) A University Degree in the relevant field of study from any institution
accredited by NCHE;
(b) A University Diploma in the relevant field of study from any institution
accredited by NCHE;
(c) A Technician’s Diploma in the relevant field of study from any institution
accredited by TEVETA
(d) A City and Guilds Diploma accredited by TEVETA

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TECHNICAL QUALIFICATIONS FOR ELECTRICAL
INSTALLERS
• They are provided in by-law 12 of the Electricity (Amendment) as follows:
(e) TEVETA qualifications of a minimum level 3
(f) A Degree, Diploma or certificate from Institution or university in the relevant
field of renewable energy technologies accredited by NCHE
(f) Any other technical qualification recognized by NCHE or TEVETA

Applicants with foreign qualification are required to present a recognition of the

qualification by NCHE or TEVETA (qualification accredited or recognized by the two
authorities).

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CLASSIFICATION OF INSTALLERS’ PERMITS
Class of Scope of work Minimum Qualifications
Permit
Class A Carrying out installation works at all voltage levels Certified for all Electrical Permits
Class A-1 Carrying out high voltage line installation works of 33,000 V and above Degree in Electrical field plus 3 years of experience or not less than 5 years of relevant experience
with University Diploma in electrical field or equivalent
Class A-2 Carrying out industrial electrical wiring installations of 33,000 V and above Degree in Electrical field plus 3 years of experience or not less than 5 years of relevant experience
with University Diploma in electrical field or equivalent
Class B-1 Carrying out high voltage line installation works of up to 33,000 V Advanced Diploma or equivalent in Electrical field plus 3 years of relevant experience or not less
than 5 years of relevant experience with Technician Diploma in electrical field or TEVET Level 4

Class B-2 Carrying out industrial electrical wiring installations of up to 33,000 V Advanced Diploma or equivalent in Electrical field plus 3 years of relevant experience or not less
than 5 years of relevant experience with Technician Diploma in electrical field or TEVET Level 4

Class C Carrying out overhead and underground medium voltage installations of up to TEVET Level 4 in Electrical field or equivalent plus 3 years of relevant experience (Diploma
400V including- equivalent)
(i) installations in multi-storied building and other big buildings of complex
design and commercial buildings; or

(ii) installations of light plants of up to a level of 400 V

Class D Carrying out electrical wiring installations of up to 400V TEVET Level 3 (Grade 1 equivalent) in Electrical field or equivalent plus 3 years of relevant
experience

Class E Installations of 3 phase grid connected renewable energy mini grid systems Degree in Renewable Energy or equivalent plus minimum of 3 years relevant experience

Class E-1 installations of 3 phase off-grid renewable energy mini grid systems Energy Degree in Renewable Energy or equivalent plus minimum of 3 years relevant experience
generation and distribution systems
Class E-2 Installations of 3 phase stand-alone renewable energy generation and supply Degree in Renewable Energy or equivalent plus minimum of 3 years relevant experience
systems
Class F Installations of single phase stand-alone renewable energy generation and Certificate in Renewable Energy or equivalent plus minimum of 3 years relevant experience
supply systems

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LICENSING PROCESS OF INSTALLERS
https://mera.mw/how-to-apply/

Secretariat Evaluates
OBTAIN AN APPLICATION
Complete and submit submitted application
FORM (From MERA
application form form for minimum
offices or Website)
requirement compliance

Short listed applicants

Permit is issued after Results of interview invited to IPCO interviews
payment of permit fees approved by MERA Board
(South, Centre and North)

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 LICENSING PROCESS…. Cont’d

Renewal fees are half the fees provided above.

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 EXPECTED COMPETENCE
https://mera.mw/legislation/

ENERGY
REGULATION ACT

ELECTRICITY ACT

Electricity Bylaws

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WIRING
• Part VI of the Electricity by-laws provides for wiring of electrical
installation.
• The provisions start from by-law 87 to by-law 145 (from page 68 to 91
of the by-laws). These will be discussed by fellow presenters.
• All Electrical installers are required to be conversant with the contents
on wiring as provided in the by-laws.
• The by-laws are aimed at ensuring safety of all wiring installations.

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 VALIDITY
• ERE Permits and Certificates are valid for one year (January – December);
• The permit may be renewed at MERA’s discretion after inspections
have been carried out installer’s workmanship to assess compliance
to minimum requirements.
• A list of renewed permits are updated at the end of every month
and posted on MERA website

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 List of current renewed permits

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SUSPENSION OR REVOCATION OF A PERMIT

• The Authority may suspend or revoke any permit at any time if it is

satisfied that the permit holder has contravened any of the
provisions/conditions of a permit granted under the laws in Malawi.

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CONCLUSION
• Compliance with Electricity By-laws is not a matter of choice but
mandatory.
• The by-laws are aimed at ensuring that people and property are
protected from accidents that may arise from improper electrical
installations.

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Head Office: 2nd Floor Development House, City Centre, Private Bag B-496, LILONGWE 3.
Phone: 01 774 103/135 or 01 775 810

Regional Office South: 1st Floor, Mpico House, BLANTYRE. Phone: 01 832 496 / 893

Regional Office North: Mpico House, MZUZU, Phone: 01 312 878/769/719

e-mail: mera@mera.mw

www.mera.mw

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