Eskom is urging all South African customers with Small-Scale Embedded Generators (SSEG) to register their solar installations as soon as possible.
The utility reminded residential customers with unregistered SSEGs up to 50 kW – typically between 5 kW and 10 kW in households – that they could qualify for an exemption from registration-related fees until March 2026.
After the exemption period, standard charges such as application, tariff conversion, and connection fees will apply.
Eskom said all SSEG installations operating alongside its supply, including those not exporting power to the grid, must be registered with Eskom or the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA).
“As a licensed electricity distributor, Eskom ensures that all connections – both load and generation – comply with the required codes, standards and guidelines set by NERSA,” Eskom added. “Adhering to these technical standards is crucial for maintaining network security, ensuring the safety of field personnel and protecting the public.”
By registering their SSEGs, customers not only meet regulatory requirements but can also sell surplus energy to Eskom via net billing, store excess power within the utility framework, and reduce electricity costs through self-generation, said Eskom.
Generators operating entirely off-grid and not connected to Eskom’s network do not need to register but must provide proof they function independently of Eskom’s supply.
Eskom said it has engaged with customers and stakeholders on SSEG registration since 2020 and has included connection information in bill inserts since May 2021. It ramped up its registration and compliance campaign in 2023.
The initial campaign launch coincided with a period of severe load shedding, when Eskom first waived connection charges for residential rooftop solar.
The utility recently implemented a weekend of load shedding for the first time in more than ten months, but the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) said the nation remains on track to eliminate forced power outages permanently.
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I do see the benefits of having systems registered.
However it should be optional.
The reason that registering is for safety purposes is a front and a distraction of underlying agendas.
When the inverter is installed with the appropriate NRS approved certificate, it verifies that a system is safe to use and install and will not feed back into the grid when the the power coming into the inverter is turned off. Other users of the electricity grid, especially linesman working on the infrastructure are protected from electrocution and death.
This is just someone’s idea to grow Eskom’s profits by purchasing solar energy generated by users at a lower price and selling it at a a higher price.
And so when you have the whole country registered you are looking at making some few corrupt individuals stinking rich because in this country you KNOW that that money will be stolen by a thief.
ESCOM HAVE NO RIGHT OR PLACE TO DEMAND FROM PEOPLE TO REGISTER A PRODUCT ESCOM HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH. ANY EXCUSE ESCOM USE FOR THEIR IS NOT APPLICABLE … ESCOM DID NOT INVENT, DESIGN, PAID FOR, OR HAD NO PART OF IMPLIMENTION THERE OF.. THEY HAVE NO RIGHT ON ANYTHING THAT IS NOT OF THEIR ESCOM BUSINESS!!! .. THEY HAVE THE RIGHT ON THEIR OWN JOBS WITH ELECTRICAL WIRES AND THAT WHICH THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO KEEP IN WORKING ORDER, OF WHICH THEY DON’T EVEN DO PROPERLY, BUT DO GET THE MONEY FROM THOSE WHO PAY EVERY MONTH, BUT PEOPLE STILL HAD TO SIT IN THE DARK, BECAUSE ESCOM DID NOT BRING THEIR SIDE OF THE CONTRACTS… NOW ESCOM HAVE MUCH LESS TO LOOK AFTER AND DON’T HAVE TO COMPLAIN THAT THE GRIT IS OVERLOADED. THEY JUST HAVE TO MAINTAIN IT FOR THOSE WHO STILL USE ESCOM AND THEY KNOW JOLLY WELL WHO STILL USE IT….
Would be nice for Eskom to explain the situation to it’s customers. I keep on seeing articles but would expect Eskom to at least contact customers directly. The can send accounts….?
Where were they when they couldn’t consistently supply customers now they want to charge people for bailing them out. Maybe they should think of a better way of dealing with clients