Solar photovoltaics (PV) dominated new generation activity as the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) registered 147 electricity generation facilities during the third quarter of the 2025/26 financial year – representing 1 960 MW of generation capacity and an estimated R33,39 billion investment.
The registrations are part of the regulatory regime introduced in 2018 to enable private and embedded generation. To date, NERSA reports 2 383 generation facilities have been registered with a combined capacity of approximately 18 000 MW and total investment of about R361 billion.
NERSA also reports improved processing times. During the third quarter of 2025/26, applications were processed over an average of nine working days compared to 14 working days in the third quarter of the previous financial year when 117 applications were recorded.
Solar PV technology accounted for 146 of the 147 facilities registered during the quarter, representing 1 820 MW of capacity. One wind project was registered, contributing 140 MW. NERSA says solar’s dominance reflects South Africa’s strong solar resource and the technology’s suitability for small and large-scale generation.
Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal recorded the highest number of newly registered facilities. In terms of installed capacity and investment value, Gauteng, the Free State and Limpopo are leaders. According to NERSA, one Gauteng-based project has installed capacity of 1 017 MW and an investment value of approximately R13,31 billion.
Of the 147 facilities, 71 are connected to municipal distribution networks with a combined capacity of 62 MW while the remaining 76 facilities, representing 1 898 MW, are connected to Eskom’s network. NERSA reports an average investment cost of approximately R17 038/kW for projects registered during the quarter.
