Latest news with #SSEG
The Citizen
02-07-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
Eskom aims to register all solar users in SA
Eskom is intensifying efforts to identify and register households that have installed rooftop solar power systems, warning that failure to comply could result in hefty fines or even disconnection from the grid. The utility has launched a countrywide push, urging homeowners with grid-tied solar setups to register them under its small-scale embedded generation (SSEG) programme. This initiative is part of Eskom's broader plan to ensure that all solar users are compliant with national regulations, and contributing fairly to the management of the power grid. Also read: Eskom struggles to keep lights on in Ward 93 Daphne Mokwena, Eskom spokesperson, said to Fourways Review that the utility is using various methods to track down unregistered systems. 'We are using various methods and analytics to identify unauthorised SSEG installations, to ensure they reach all SSEG customers through campaigns.' She said that the goal is not just enforcement; it's to encourage voluntary compliance by making the registration process more attractive to homeowners. 'We believe these different approaches of identifying customers will assist Eskom in encouraging customers with grid tied SSEGs to come forward and register during the SSEG incentive campaign, which is running until March 2026.' Urban residential customers stand to benefit significantly from registering their systems. 'Urban residential customers can enjoy the benefit of waived registration related costs for supplies up to 50kVA. This registration campaign incentive gives these customers a saving R9 132 from the connection charges exemptions, which includes a free smart meter.' Also read: Councillor and Eskom at odds over frequent power outages To make the process even more accessible, Mokwena said Eskom is offering a grace period to all who register before the deadline. 'Customers who come forward will be granted a 12-month grace period to bring their systems into compliance, in addition to the waiver available to customers until the end of March 2026. 'During the grace period, no penalties will be imposed on non-compliant, grid-tied customers.' After March 2026, however, the full cost of registration will apply. 'Those not reached through Eskom's presentations and media outreach can still register by visiting the Eskom SSEG website landing page.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration! Have a story idea? We'd love to hear from you – join our WhatsApp group and share your thoughts! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
eNCA
25-06-2025
- Business
- eNCA
Unregistered solar users face disconnection
JOHANNESBURG - Eskom is intensifying its push to have households with rooftop solar systems register. READ: Eskom lightens the solar load Those who don't register grid-tied solar power installations face fines or having their systems disconnected. It's part of the small-scale embedded generation programme or SSEG. Power and energy expert, Professor Vally Padayachee explained the system to eNCA.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
KwaZulu-Natal municipalities to use AI and satellite data to track illegal solar PV installations
Kwazulu-Natal municipalities are set to leverage AI and satellite technology to identify homes with illegal solar photovoltaic systems. Image: File KwaZulu-Natal municipalities are set to use technology such as Artificial Intelligence (AI) and satellite data to locate homes that have illegal solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. According to National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) regulations, Eskom direct customers who have Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, including solar photovoltaic (PV) installation systems, must register the system with Eskom. Owners of these systems in areas with municipal electricity supply are required by NERSA to register these systems with their local municipality. The eThekwini municipality has warned that, in the future, it will deploy AI, combined with other resources, as it clamps down on illegal installations. This comes as energy experts have warned that failure to file proper paperwork could lead to homes that have installed solar systems being fined or having their systems disconnected. At least three municipalities have warned residents in the province to ensure they have legally complied with regulations around solar panel installations. Rein Snoeck Henkemans, CEO of Alumo Energy, in a recent statement said that Eskom and municipalities have begun using satellite technology to track unregistered rooftop solar systems, and thousands of households could be in violation without even knowing it. Even legally purchased and professionally installed solar setups are now at risk of being disconnected or fined if the correct paperwork isn't in place, he said. 'The government is tightening the enforcement of regulations on rooftop solar after recently confirming that satellite technology will be used to identify unregistered SSEG systems as part of a national compliance sweep that could result in thousands of fines being issued across the country,' he said. 'A solar Certificate of Compliance (CoC) is the only document that proves an installation meets South African National Standards. No CoC means no legal grid connection and, crucially, no insurance payout if lightning destroys a pricey battery bank,' he concluded. eThekwini Municipality's spokesperson, Gugu Sisilana, stated that compliance checks are planned for the future. 'Currently, the eThekwini Electricity Directorate has not commenced compliance investigations, as customers who have installed unauthorised solar systems are still being given the opportunity to register their systems with the municipality. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ 'However, in the future, the municipality plans to utilise AI in conjunction with its Geographic Information System (GIS) to identify customers operating unauthorised solar photovoltaic systems,' she said. The City said all customers wanting to install solar photovoltaic systems need to complete the Embedded Generation application form and submit it to the municipality's Electricity Directorate for approval. Upon approval, customers may then commence with the purchase and installation of equipment. Customers need to comply with various regulations such as the NRS 097, SANS 10142, and the South Africa Renewable Energy Grid Code. For those who have already installed systems, the municipality said they need to complete the Embedded Generation application form requesting to regularise their solar PV installation. The municipality will then assess their application, and should everything be in order, they will regularise their system. The City of UMhlathuze in Richards Bay said it will be recruiting qualified technicians to conduct compliance checks. "Homeowners are advised to visit the City's website under Small Scale Embedded Generator Registration (SSEG) for all requirements for registration and compliance.' Msunduzi Municipality spokesperson, Ntobeko Mkhize, said, 'Due to capacity constraints, Msunduzi has not yet commenced formal compliance inspections. However, during routine operations, if a customer is found to have installed a system without following the required processes, they are issued a notice to comply within a specified period. 'Failure to comply may result in further action being taken against the customer. It must be emphasised that non-compliant systems improperly connected to the grid pose serious safety risks to Msunduzi staff. In such cases, the customer's electricity supply may be disconnected until compliance is achieved or the solar PV system is safely isolated from the grid. "While it is the municipality's intention to begin inspections of the growing number of solar PV installations—primarily to protect the safety of our operators—this initiative is currently constrained by limited human resources."
IOL News
25-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
The commodore reshaping Africa's energy landscape
Tokologo Phetla, fondly referred to as The Commodore, is spearheading a transformative wave of innovation across the African continent. Image: Supplied. In the bustling heart of Sandton, 30-year-old Tokologo Phetla, fondly referred to as The Commodore, is spearheading a transformative wave of innovation across the African continent. As the founder and CEO of Commodore Industries, Phetla is not just building businesses; he is creating pathways for a brighter, self-sufficient Africa through energy, logistics, and industrial innovation. Commodore Industries, under Phetla's visionary leadership, has emerged as a formidable player in the renewable energy sector. The company focuses on last-mile renewable energy development and financing, crafting affordable and reliable energy solutions that are paramount for both public and private sectors. The organisation has diversified into coal, modular-based Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) systems, utility-scale battery energy storage, and vital transmission infrastructure, positioning itself at the core of Africa's energy future. Phetla's entrepreneurial journey began at the tender age of 17 with a fuel additives distribution venture aimed at improving fuel efficiency for taxis. His relentless hustle—rising at 3 a.m. to meet taxi drivers before heading off to school—marked the inception of a mission forged in creativity and purpose. "I see business as my artistic expression," Phetla recalls, 'a way to contribute to society and create jobs.' Over time, this initial motivation has evolved towards a profound purpose: Africa's energy sovereignty and internal trade. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Next Stay Close ✕ Besides energy, Phetla is ambitiously expanding into logistics. Through Sharp Results Logistics, he offers comprehensive freight, rail, and supply chain solutions that drive intra-African trade and connectivity. Commodore Industries now employs around 390 people, reflecting a commitment not just to innovation but also to job creation—an urgent need in an economy beset by challenges like chronic unemployment. However, as Phetla navigates the whirlwind of entrepreneurship, he faces significant hurdles. His youthful age often results in skepticism, limiting the partnerships and deals he can initially engage in. Access to funding remains a crucial roadblock as well, particularly in a South African venture capital ecosystem that is still developing. 'The barriers are formidable,' Phetla admits. Yet, he remains undeterred, intertwining resilience with belief in his vision for a prosperous Africa. Looking forward, Phetla's ambitions for Commodore Industries are strikingly bold. He aspires to establish it as one of Africa's largest locally owned energy companies. 'By the time I turn 50, I aim to see Commodore listed on the stock exchange,' he revealed. This goal underpins a belief in sustainable growth that endures beyond its founders. Given the backdrop of South Africa's ongoing load-shedding crisis, Phetla's insights into the energy sector are both timely and critical. He emphasises that while tackling load-shedding is a pressing concern, the broader challenge lies in establishing a reliable and excess baseload power supply. 'Industrial expansion and economic stability directly correlate with energy availability,' he argues. Thus, he advocates for immediate action towards developing gas and nuclear power sources as essential replacements for aging coal plants to avoid future energy crises. Equally important to Phetla is the notion of a just energy transition. He envisions an inclusive energy economy where the benefits are widely experienced across all levels of society, rather than confined to a select few. 'We need to restructure our energy policies to ensure accessibility for all South Africans,' he emphasises. At the heart of his mission lies a compelling vision for the future of Africa—an industrialised continent, powered by energy sovereignty and equitable trade. For the young dynamo, industrialisation is not merely about factories and infrastructure—it is about dignity and creating pathways to economic opportunity. He advocates for decisive, bold action over passive policymaking, urging that every individual's right to employment, stability, and dignity be prioritised. In an era marked by challenges, Phetla stands out as a beacon of hope. With a mission to reshape Africa's economic narrative, his journey serves not only as an inspiration but also as a powerful catalyst for change. As the continent grapples with pressing issues, he beckons others to join him in rewriting Africa's story through strategic industrialisation and inclusive growth. BUSINESS REPORT Visit:
