HESSEQUA NEWS - The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has confirmed that a licensing fee will be required for private electricity generation facilities.
This confirmation from the office of Energy Minister Jeff Radebe's office followed after a public outcry against government's plan for electricity provision within the energy mix by requiring small-scale users of generators and solar plants to register and pay a fee for these means of generating their own electricity.
According to Nersa, provision was made for this deviation in the existing Integrated Resource Plan 2010-2030, which should be regarded as a 'living plan' which could be revised by the department at any time.
The regulator said Radebe did not direct Nersa to automatically approve licence applications for the operation of these facilities, but to follow the process, which will adhere to the legal prescripts in evaluating all licence applications as well as registration applications. Applications received for facilities up to 1MW will go through the Nersa-approved registration procedure and will require the payment of the prescribed registration fee.
"In this regard, applicants are expected to comply with the applicable pieces of legislation by providing relevant and sufficient information. This will enable the Energy Regulator to conduct a thorough and efficient evaluation of the applications," Nersa said. The registration procedure for small-scale embedded generators (SSEGs) is available on Nersa's website (www.nersa.org.za) under the Electricity (licences) tab.
In reaction to this, energy watchdog EECO (Energy Expert Coalition) called on all South Africans to oppose the new regulations regarding SSEGs. "Under these rules, all owners/buyers of SSEGs less than 1MW must apply for the establishment of the installation to their local distributor (municipality or Eskom) and then to register with Nersa," said spokesperson Ted Blom.
He described these rules as 'draconian', as they will apply to all small installations, whether for private or public use and whether they are to be connected to the grid or not.
Readers on South Cape Forum's Facebook page also reacted strongly to the news when asked their opinion. "We are already paying for electricity - which we are not receiving from Eskom during load shedding - and now that we want to take care of ourselves, we also have to pay for that!" is the general gist. Sources: SAnews.gov.za; www.eeco.co.za
Jeff Radebe, minister van energiesake het bevestig dat diegene wat van kragopwekkers en sonpanele gebruik maak om elektrisiteit op 'n klein skaal op te wek, dit voortaan sal moet registreer en 'n fooi betaal. Dit het hewige reaksie ontlok van onder andere die instansie EECO (Energy Expert Coalition) en lesers van Suid-Kaap Forum se Facebook-blad.
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