- The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has announced an important public hearing to consider an application for a market operator licence submitted by the National Transmission Company South Africa SOC Ltd (NTCSA).
- The public hearing is a critical step in the processing and evaluation of an application to establish the NTCSA as the independent market operator for the South African Wholesale Electricity Market (SAWEM).
On 25 July 2025, the NTCSA submitted the above-mentioned application in line with sections 7(1) and 10 of the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, as amended, to obtain a licence to operate the SAWEM. This marks a critical step in advancing the reforms necessary to establish a competitive electricity market in South Africa, as envisioned in the Electricity Regulation Act.
The NTCSA, which is already licensed for transmission, trading and the import/export of electricity, is now progressing to the next critical phase with its application for a market operator licence. If approved, this licence will empower the NTCSA to operate the future electricity trading platform, ensuring its administration is conducted fairly and transparently. As prescribed in section 11 of the Electricity Regulation Act, the NTCSA, as the applicant, advertised the application in various newspapers on 22 August 2025, inviting affected parties and interested stakeholders to submit comments and objections.
The deadline for submission of comments and objections is 22 September 2025. This step paves the way for NERSA to afford stakeholders another opportunity to make oral submissions on facts and evidence to be considered by the Energy Regulator before making a final decision.
‘The public hearing is a cornerstone of our regulatory processes and underscores NERSA’s commitment to transparency and inclusive decision-making. The establishment of an independent market operator is a key reform for the energy sector, and it is important that stakeholders have an opportunity to provide inputs on this significant application,’ said Ms Nomfundo Maseti, Full-Time Regulator Member (FTRM) Responsible for Electricity Regulation.
The public hearing will be held as follows:
- Date: Monday, 30 September 2025
- Time: 09:30 – 13:00
- Venue: Virtual Platform (MS Teams) and live-streamed on NERSA’s official X (formerly Twitter) feed.
Stakeholders wishing to make oral representations at the hearing must register with Mr Walter Mabunda at: Tel. No.: 012 401 4660, Fax No.: 012 401 4700, Email: publichearings@nersa.org.za.
For those unable to attend the virtual session, written comments can be submitted via email to: MOLicenceApplication@nersa.org.za.
The closing date for registration is Thursday, 25 September 2025, at 16:30. The NTCSA’s application is available on the NERSA website at www.nersa.org.za, under Notices > Public Hearings>Electricity.
Source: Nersa
1 Comment
Let’s hope the privatisation of electricity generation, and a truly independent, impartial transmission and market operator, finally comes from the ground.
Whether a NTCSA as part of Eskom and led by the Luthuli House crew will ever be able to give fair, equitable access to all IPPs, electric traders still has to be seen.
This development is at least 30 years overdue.