Established in 2013, The Karnataka Electricity Governance Network [KEGN] is a network of civil society organisations, academics, expert, consumers and policy makers, constituted to promote public participation in electricity regulatory process. KEGN believes that public engagement in the electricity sector will help strengthen the service providers and the regulators to perform their functions effectively and promote transparency.
The objective of this citizen engagement is to find long term solutions given multiple and seemingly conflicting needs adequately in terms of quantity and quality, improved and affordable access for rural areas, maintaining a certain quality of the environment, ensuring the financial viability of the utility, promoting use of cleaner energy sources and more efficient use of electricity. The KEGN aims to strengthen the relationship between the electricity service providers, consumers, the regulatory commission, media and the state. Eventually the KEGN could act as a countervailing force on the policy makers, service providers and the regulators.
KEGN in collaboration with Bangalore Electricity Supply Company [BESCOM] has organised public outreach programs and training camps for the benefit of rural electricity consumers. CREAT and its network partners participate in the public hearings of KERC with regard to tariff revision, framing regulations, amendments to regulations etc. Grievances of electricity consumers are taken up for redressal with the electricity supply companies.