Industry Overview
INDUSTRY JOURNAL Vol . 8
Industry Overview
Grid-tied Embedded
Generation Fact Sheet for grid connecting
your property and comprising all plant , machinery and equipment , all associated buildings and structures ( Generator ).
Guidelines as per National Energy Regulator of South Africa ( NERSA )
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Connect your alternate energy to the electricity network – legally and safely
New energy technology solutions in South Africa provide customers the opportunity to redefine their role in the electricity value chain . These solutions include the installation of renewable generators to generate their own electricity .
Investing in a generator involves a significant financial commitment and therefore requires careful consideration of the following key aspects :
• Compliance to legal and regulatory requirements .
• Compliance to the SAGC ( South African Grid Code ).
• Ensuring the safety of people , assets / buildings , animals and equipment .
National Energy Regulator ( NERSA ) Compliance Requirements to register , or be exempted from registration or licensing
You will be required to comply with the requirements set out in Schedule 2 Gazette No . 43151 of the Electricity Regulation Act ( ERA ) regarding licensing , registration or to be exempt from registration , for your generation facility . A generation facility means the generation ( or distribution facility as applicable ) located on
Generator exempted from registration
Under Schedule 2 of the ERA , the following activities are exempted from the requirement to be licensed or registered with NERSA :
The operation of a generator for the sole purpose of providing standby or backup electricity in the event of an outage , for a duration no longer than the electricity supply interruption .
The operation of any generator provided that , irrespective of capacity ( MW ), the generator does not have a point of connection ; if the generator has a capacity of no more than 100kW and has an existing point of connection , the Utility must keep a register of such facilities and have prescribed the conditions relating to the continued use of the point of connection .
Explanation This means that if you have a generator as listed below , it is exempt from requiring licensing or registration with NERSA :
• if you are not connected to the grid , and use your generator for standby purposes ( i . e . own use ) only , or
• if your generator of no more than 100kW is connected to the grid and the electricity is for your own use only ( not supplying other customers ). However , because your generator is connected to the grid , you will have to apply for a grid connection , pay the quoted fees and sign the required Utility agreements . The Utility will also keep a register of all of these systems .
Generators requiring registration
Schedule 2 of the ERA states the following generators must be registered with NERSA :
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