NERSA extends comment period on proposed electricity trading rules

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has announced an extension to the comment period on its draft regulations governing electricity trading, regulators said on Monday.

NERSA said the decision to extend the deadline for submissions follows requests from industry participants, consumer groups and other stakeholders for additional time to review and provide feedback on the complex proposals.

The draft rules form part of a wider effort to reshape South Africa’s electricity market as the country moves towards greater participation by independent power producers and a more competitive trading environment.

In a statement, the regulator said it recognises the importance of robust public engagement in developing policies that will affect the generation, distribution and sale of electricity across the country. The extension is intended to ensure that all interested parties including municipal authorities, Eskom, industry associations, civil society and customer groups have ample opportunity to contribute views, concerns and technical analysis.

The draft trading rules outline how electricity can be bought and sold across the grid, address licensing requirements, and propose mechanisms to enable third-party access to transmission and distribution networks. NERSA is seeking input on pricing structures, governance safeguards and market oversight provisions that could influence how power is traded between generators, traders and end users.

Energy experts said the extended comment period is a positive step that reflects the regulator’s willingness to engage broadly on reforms at a pivotal moment for South Africa’s energy sector. With ongoing challenges such as load shedding and the need to integrate more renewable energy, stakeholders say well-crafted trading rules could unlock investment and help improve supply reliability.

Critics of the current system have argued that previous regulatory frameworks favoured incumbent suppliers and limited competition. They welcome the opportunity to weigh in on how the market should be structured to promote fairness, transparency and resilience as the sector evolves.

NERSA has not yet set a new deadline for submissions but said stakeholders would be notified in due course. Once the comment period closes, the regulator will review submissions and consider revisions to the draft before finalising the rules.