The power utility Eskom has extended the waiver of registration fees for eligible solar battery installations connected directly to its grid. This grants customers directly connected to the grid additional time to register their systems without incurring any charges.
The company announced this on Wednesday, clarifying that the waiver applies to customer-owned generation systems with a capacity of up to 50 kVA connected to the distribution network. Eskom emphasized that while the waiver removes registration costs, it does not change the fundamental requirement to register qualified generation facilities connected to the grid.
Junayd Munshi, Executive Head of Eskom's Distribution Group, stated that 'Eskom supports the ongoing growth of the residential solar sector and the more active participation of customers in the energy transition, which Eskom has revised in line with best international practices. Registration is a standard feature of modern electrical systems as countries integrate more and more customer-owned generation into their grids.'
He added that 'this process allows for the safe and efficient integration of customer-owned generation into the overall network serving all consumers, while laying the groundwork for bidirectional smart meters, tariff and credit compliance, and future flexibility services.'
Who is eligible for the concession?
The concession provides eligible residential customers with extra time to complete the process without having to pay Eskom's registration fees. It is important to note that this only applies to customers who receive electricity directly from Eskom; customers served by municipalities must check the requirements and fees with their local electricity distributor.
Eskom reported that similar requirements are used in global electricity markets. An analysis of 20 international markets showed that customers with grid-connected solar systems are often required to notify, register, or obtain approval from utilities, municipalities, regulators, or grid operators.
These measures aim to assist utilities in managing issues such as grid safety, power quality, and system planning as more households begin generating their own electricity. In South Africa, Eskom indicated that this requirement is based on the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, as well as the applicable Exemption and Registration Notice.
Installations of 100 kW or less connected to the grid must be registered with the relevant licensed distributor, while systems exceeding 100 kW require direct registration with the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Systems operating autonomously and not connected to the grid are exempt from this requirement.
Eskom also clarified that registration differs from a Certificate of Compliance (CoC). While CoC relates to electrical safety, registration provides the distributor with information about the generation system, including its location, technology, and capacity.