The Electricity Commission considers electrical safety to be a paramount consideration.

Electricity has the potential to kill if used improperly or by unskilled labour.  That is why electricians are licensed in Tonga by the Commission who ensure that they are permitted to practice as such only if have the required theoretical and practical knowledge of their subject and adequate hands on experience of electrical works.  No one else is authorised to undertake electrical works.

At present there are 40 licensed electricians, 29 of whom have unrestricted licences enabling them to undertake electrical works for anyone, anywhere in the Kingdom, 3 of whom are employed by the Electricity Commission but are barred from engaging in private practice as electricians; and the remaining 8 have temporary licences to undertake specialist electrical works in a diplomatic mission at Nuku’alofa and at St. George’s Palace.

In the opinion of the Commission there is an ample supply of qualified electricians in Tonga to execute all electrical works for domestic, commercial or public sector customers.  Accordingly there is no justification for foreign electricians been imported into the Kingdom to undertake electrical works unless in exceptional circumstances and then only if working in association with a Tongan licensed electrician.

Another important aspect of Tonga’s electrical safety oversight is the Electrical Permits regime.