The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has released draft grid capacity allocation rules for public comment – aimed at establishing a consistent and transparent process for access to the national grid.
The draft rules follow Eskom’s interim grid capacity guidelines published in 2023, which introduced readiness-based allocation and allowed revocation of capacity where project timelines were not met. NERSA says a regulatory framework is now required to ensure non-discriminatory access as the market shifts toward increased competition and growing renewable generation.
“As demand for electricity generation rises and the shift from fossil fuels to renewable sources continues, it is essential to have well-defined policies and rules that protect grid access matters. These rules ensure fairness and consistency in their implementation,” NERSA adds.
Earlier this year, NERSA rejected a request by Eskom to prioritise grid access for public independent power producers, reinforcing its stance on equitable treatment across all market participants.
NERSA’s new rules specify that grid capacity will be allocated based on the following criteria:
- Project readiness in terms of construction start date
- Supplementary regulatory approvals and clearances
- Necessary contracts for construction
- Completeness of design
- Construction duration
- Any risks that may impact commissioning dates and completeness of financial arrangements
Network service providers will retain the right to revoke capacity for non-compliance with timelines. They will also be required to implement a queuing system that preserves an applicant’s position if capacity is insufficient for the specific request rather than bypassing them.
The draft rules further require that network service providers publish an annual Transmission Development Plan (TDP) detailing available grid capacity. While the TDP must be publicly accessible, service providers may charge a fee for detailed capacity-related information on request.
NERSA will host a virtual public consultation on the proposed rules on August 8.
