Signing of Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will open market for power suppliers - Solar PV Industry Association

CAPE TOWN - The Solar PV Industry Association says the signing of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill will open a market for electricity suppliers and create a competitive environment in the sector.

The National Council of Provinces (NCOP) adopted the bill on Thursday.

The law will allow independent power producers to supply the power grid with electricity.

The Electricity Regulation Amendment Bill was passed by the National Assembly in March this year. 

It will strengthen the role of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA), by giving it powers to licence entities entering the energy supply market.

NERSA will also be able to introduce provisions on offences and penalties to address the theft and vandalism of electricity infrastructure.

The Solar PV Industry Association welcomed the move and said it hopes the bill will be signed into law soon. 

It said it would give independent power producers access to the power grid, which, in turn, would facilitate a lot more investment into the sector.