The publication of new draft rules by NERSA (the National Energy Regulator of SA) has left many South Africans completely aghast. Under these rules, every solar panel on every house – and every backup generator – will have to be registered with the government. These draft rules leave no room for exceptions, and any form of power generator of any size will have to be registered. These include photovoltaic (PV) solar/wind/biogas/diesel/fuel cell generators.
Whether you’re connected to the national electricity system or whether you’re entirely off-grid, you will have to register.
Ted Blom, a partner at Mining & Energy Advisors, says these rules are draconian. “They apply to all small installations, whether for private or public use and whether they are to be connected to the grid or not,” Blom believes. “These rules are poorly drafted and unworkable and will result in wide-scale civil disobedience if promulgated,” he goes on to warn.
Such regulations will result in a permitting system, and eventually, licence fees will be instituted to fund policing of installations. This added cost will give rise to yet another financial burden for ordinary SA citizens.
NERSA has invited comment from the public. It is vital to note this: if you do NOT take action and comment on the proposed regulations, your inaction will be seen as a tacit agreement with the proposed rules!
Valsa Trading opposes the NERSA draft, and will voice our disagreement in the strongest possible terms. We all have until the 31st of May to stand up and make our opinions heard. The following link is a simple way of providing feedback on the matter, and each and every comment will be handed to NERSA. Please stand up and be counted! Click on this link to comment:
www.eeco.co.za/projects/generator
UPDATE: Last week, NERSA’s executive manager for electricity regulation, Mbulelo Ncetezo, told SABC2 that the draft rules have been withdrawn until the Department of Energy gazettes a revised notice on this. While we welcome this news, we still believe it vital that as many people as possible register their comments and objections in order that NERSA will never be in the position to say that we, the public, DIDN’T give our feedback on the matter.
Source ................... Valsa Trading Pty Ltd
Tel: +27 (0)11 794 1306 Cell: +27 (0)61 288 2572
www.valsa.co.za
techsales@valsa.co.za
Whether you’re connected to the national electricity system or whether you’re entirely off-grid, you will have to register.
Ted Blom, a partner at Mining & Energy Advisors, says these rules are draconian. “They apply to all small installations, whether for private or public use and whether they are to be connected to the grid or not,” Blom believes. “These rules are poorly drafted and unworkable and will result in wide-scale civil disobedience if promulgated,” he goes on to warn.
Such regulations will result in a permitting system, and eventually, licence fees will be instituted to fund policing of installations. This added cost will give rise to yet another financial burden for ordinary SA citizens.
NERSA has invited comment from the public. It is vital to note this: if you do NOT take action and comment on the proposed regulations, your inaction will be seen as a tacit agreement with the proposed rules!
Valsa Trading opposes the NERSA draft, and will voice our disagreement in the strongest possible terms. We all have until the 31st of May to stand up and make our opinions heard. The following link is a simple way of providing feedback on the matter, and each and every comment will be handed to NERSA. Please stand up and be counted! Click on this link to comment:
www.eeco.co.za/projects/generator
UPDATE: Last week, NERSA’s executive manager for electricity regulation, Mbulelo Ncetezo, told SABC2 that the draft rules have been withdrawn until the Department of Energy gazettes a revised notice on this. While we welcome this news, we still believe it vital that as many people as possible register their comments and objections in order that NERSA will never be in the position to say that we, the public, DIDN’T give our feedback on the matter.
Source ................... Valsa Trading Pty Ltd
Tel: +27 (0)11 794 1306 Cell: +27 (0)61 288 2572
www.valsa.co.za
techsales@valsa.co.za
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