NERSA reviews 2023 renewables investments

In a recent development, the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has reported significant progress in the investment in renewable energy projects in the country. Mondli Shozi, the Acting Executive Manager of the Electricity Department at NERSA, provided insights into the latest quarterly report for 2023-2024, highlighting the registration of 124 new generation facilities. These projects, comprising mainly solar PVs with a few storage facilities, are set to contribute a total of 605 megawatts to the national grid, offering a much-needed boost to alleviate the present power shortages. Notably, the majority of these facilities are geared towards self-consumption, benefitting large-scale consumers like mines and industries, thus reducing the strain on the national grid. The significant investment of approximately 7.7 billion in the last quarter alone underscores the commitment to bolstering the energy sector and addressing the pressing issue of load-shedding in the country. The streamlined registration process, now completed in less than 10 days compared to the previous 120-day period, has facilitated the swift integration of these renewable energy plants into the grid. Shozi emphasized that the quicker approval timelines have enabled a more efficient and expedited commissioning process, ultimately contributing to a more stable and reliable energy supply. The positive impact of these initiatives is evident in the operationalization of these facilities, with an average timeline of about a year for a 10-megawatt plant and potentially up to 24 months for larger projects, depending on various factors. Despite the challenges posed by grid connections and testing requirements, Shozi remains optimistic about the future prospects of further reducing the approval period for renewable energy projects. By delegating the registration function and implementing standing instructions for timely processing, NERSA aims to enhance its capacity to accommodate a higher volume of applications and facilitate the seamless integration of renewable energy sources into the national energy mix. These efforts underscore a pivotal shift towards sustainable and green energy solutions that not only address the immediate energy concerns but also pave the way for a more resilient and balanced energy landscape in South Africa.