President Ibrahim Mohamed Solih has formed the Utility Regulatory Authority today under the Ministry of Environment.

The announcement was made public yesterday through a directive released by the President's Office.

The authority was established following the ratification of the Utility Regulatory Authority Act as mandated under section 3A of this Act. The Act also grants the Utility Regulatory Authority the power to inspect, regulate and create legislature on operating all public services entities along with the authority to fine violations between MVR 1000 and 1 million.

Utility Regulatory Authority will have a five-member Board of Directors which would be assigned and dismissed by the President.

With the formation of the Utility Regulatory Authority, the Maldives Energy Authority, which functioned under the Ministry of Environment, has been dissolved.

“With the formation of the Utility Regulatory Authority, the Maldives Energy Authority, which functioned under the Ministry of Environment, has been dissolved.” The President’s Office said.

The directive also specifies that the number 485 should be used in all official letters sent to the Utility Regulatory Authority under the numbering system for state agencies.