NERSA registers 16 embedded generation projects totaling 211 MW

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has announced the registration of 16 embedded generation projects with a total power generation capacity of 211 megawatts (MW). The regulator announced the registrations during its executive committee meeting on Monday.

The renewable energy projects will have a cumulative estimated investment value of R3.65-billion (US$234 million). 

According to Regulator Member, Muzi Mkhize, it took an average of 19 days for NERSA to process the applications for each of the 16 projects after registration. Mkhize also mentioned that the 19-day approval process trend was also the same period it took for registration of projects registered in 2020 and 2021.

“All 16 applications were received during April 2022 and processed within 19 working days. Three generation facilities for commercial purposes are above 10MW. Since the increase of the registration threshold from 1MW to 100MW, NERSA has approved 216 registration applications,” NERSA said.

South Africa now allows for setting up of embedded generation systems for up to 100MW without requiring licensing, but the projects still have to be approved by the energy regulator NERSA. South Africa’s renewable energy industry has been calling for an expedited registration process for projects to help the country improve energy supply and reduce blackouts (load-shedding).

NERSA revealed that 54 generation facilities with a total capacity of 29.148MW were approved in the first quarter of 2022. The total investment cost is approximately R452 million.

Of the sixteen registered power generation systems, eleven will be generating electricity for their own use, and five generation facilities will be generating for commercial purposes. NERSA says all applicants have connection approvals from licensed distributors. 

“Twelve applicants will be connected to the Eskom network and four to the municipal networks. Fifteen applicants use solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, and one applicant uses wind turbine technology,” NERSA adds.

Some of the embedded generation projects licensed by NERSA include: