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Groenlig vir lisensie-aansoeke vir selfopwekkingsfasiliteite van meer as 1MW | Greenlight for licence applications for self-generation facilities of above 1MW

English to follow:

10 November 2020

Agri SA verwelkom die goedkeuring van die Minister van Minerale Hulpbronne en Energie vir die Nasionale Energiereguleerder van Suid-Afrika (NERSA) om voort te gaan met lisensie-aansoeke vir selfopwekkingsfasiliteite van meer as 1MW en die verwerking daarvan.

Dié goedkeuring beteken dat dit nie meer vir voornemende aansoekers nodig is om ministeriële goedkeuring te kry vir die afwyking van die IRP 2019 alvorens hulle aansoek by NERSA doen om ‘n lisensie te bekom nie. Dit is gunstig vir die landbousektor, boere kan nou hernubare energiebronne groter as 1MW installeer. Die goedkeuring maak ook voorsiening vir die oordrag van elektrisiteit en addisioneel tot regulatoriese en administratiewe blokkasies wat uit die weg geruim is, is daar ‘n geleentheid vir boere om in die vryemark oorskot elektrisiteit te verkoop.

Gegewe die elektrisiteitsbeperkings wat die land ervaar, is ons van mening dat dit ‘n positiewe stap is om die druk van Eskom te verlig, aangesien onafhanklike verskaffers nou die mark kan betree. Stabiele kragtoevoer is noodsaaklik vir ontwikkeling en speel ‘n kritieke rol in ekonomiese groei, wat ons land broodnodig het om maatskaplike probleme te help verlig. Landbou is ‘n belangrike sektor om hierdie doel te bereik.

Agri SA en sy geaffilieerde lede is steeds toegewyd en ondersteun die tydige verwerking van lisensiëringsaansoeke om die leweringsekerheid te verseker.

Navrae:

Nicol Jansen

Agri SA Voorsitter: Ekonomie en Handel Sentrum vir Uitnemendheid

Kulani Siweya

Agri SA Landbou-ekonoom

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Agri SA welcomes the Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy’s approval for the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) to proceed and process licence applications for self-generation facilities of above 1MW.

The approval means that prospective applicants are no longer required to obtain Ministerial approval for deviation from the IRP 2019 before applying to NERSA for a licence and this bodes well for the agricultural sector as farmers will now be able to put up renewable energy sources above 1MW. The approval also makes provision for wheeling arrangements and with the removal of regulatory and administrative constraints, an opportunity presents itself for Eskom to adjust its internal processes to accommodate the latest development.

Given the electricity constraints faced by the country, we are of the opinion that this is a positive stride towards alleviating pressure from ESKOM, as independent producers enter the market. A stable power supply is imperative for development and plays a critical part in economic growth, which is desperately needed by our country to tackle the social ills faced and as Agri SA we believe agriculture still remains a key sector in achieving this goal.

Agri SA and its affiliated members remain committed in support for the timeous processing of licensing applications to ensure security of supply.

Enquiries

Nicol Jansen

Agri SA Chairman: Economics and Trade Centre of Excellence

Kulani Siweya

Agri SA Agricultural economist