Latest news with #NERSA
Eyewitness News
3 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
Ekurhuleni residents to pay more after tariff hikes
JOHANNESBURG - Ekurhuleni residents may have to pay more for municipal services following the city's decision to raise tariffs. Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi announced increases in service charges during his budget speech on Thursday to come into effect in the 2025/2026 year. ALSO READ: - Ekurhuleni budget: Residents to pay more for water, electricity, sanitation & refuse removal - City of Ekurhuleni decides to insource essential services to strengthen internal capacity - Ekurhuleni sets aside R250m to rehabilitate road infrastructure, particularly potholes However, unlike in Johannesburg, property rates and municipal bus services will not increase. If the Ekurhuleni City Council approves the proposed budget, residents will see a 15% increase in their monthly water bills. Electricity prices are also set to rise, but only in accordance with the guidelines set by the National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA). Additionally, refuse removal fees will go up by 6%, while sanitation services will cost 10% more. Dlabathi said when compared to other metros, these increases are relatively reasonable. "Our 2025/26 tariffs are lesser on sanitation and refuse removal compared to the City of Joburg, Cape Town and eThekwini, except for the City of Tshwane. Similarly, the average comparative analysis of 2024/25 tariffs shows that we came second with 10.43%, while the City of Cape Town approved the highest average tariff of 13.71%.' These tariffs will go towards funding the city's R65 billion budget.
IOL News
12-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
NERSA establishes Electricity Market Advisory Forum to transform South Africa's electricity sector
New Electricity Market Advisory Forum launched by NERSA for South Africa's energy reform Image: IOL/Independent Newspapers The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has taken a significant step towards transforming the country's electricity sector by approving the establishment of the Electricity Market Advisory Forum (EMAF). This new advisory body, formed under the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, aims to provide expert guidance on the development and regulatory oversight of South Africa's emerging competitive electricity market. In a statement issued on Friday, NERSA's Head of Communications, Charles Hlebela, highlighted the importance of the EMAF in navigating the profound changes anticipated in the sector. 'The decision recognises the transformative shift in the electricity landscape, driven by amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), which envisage a competitive electricity market within the next five years. 'The EMAF is a strategic move to involve stakeholders early on, fostering a robust, inclusive regulatory environment to support this transition.' Hlebela stated that the establishment of the EMAF aligns with South Africa's broader energy reform agenda, which includes licensing a Market Operator—likely to be the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)—and the development of comprehensive Market Rules and Codes. These regulations will underpin the operation of the nascent wholesale electricity market, which introduces regulatory activities that are relatively new to the South African context, such as market surveillance and enforcement. Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Strengthening According to NERSA, the EMAF's primary role will be advising NERSA on key regulatory frameworks, including the finalisation of Market Rules and Codes crucial for the market's launch. It added that the forum will also provide insights on the necessary enablers for a competitive market, such as licensing procedures, operational oversight, and enforcement mechanisms. Recognising the complexity and novelty of these activities, NERSA emphasised the importance of stakeholder consultation and institutional capacity building. 'An inclusive consultation process like the EMAF will help ensure all stakeholders are prepared for the evolving market. This initiative will foster readiness among industry players, regulators, and end-users alike, " said Hlebela. Composition and Operational Framework While specific details about the appointment process are yet to be finalised, NERSA indicated that the EMAF's membership would be carefully curated to include a diverse blend of institutional representatives, industry experts, and end-user perspectives. The energy regulator said that the Market Rule Project Team is currently finalising the forum's terms of reference, which will outline its scope, mandate, membership criteria, and code of conduct. [email protected] IOL Politics
The Citizen
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Citizen
North Coast estates join forces in response to municipal electricity crisis
Some of the North Coast's leading estates have joined forces to collectively lobby for improved electricity supply. The Residential Estate Electrical Task Team (REETT) was formed in late January in response to the damaging electricity crisis on KwaDukuza's southern grid. It includes representatives from Zimbali, Simbithi, Brettenwood, Dunkirk, Prince's Grant and Seaward estates, among others. The task team should not be confused with the KDM Electrical Task Team, also founded this year in response to the crisis, which includes some estate representation alongside the Dolphin Coast Residents and Ratepayers Association, the iLembe Chamber of Commerce and the KwaDukuza municipality (KDM) itself. Unlike REETT, the municipal task team has a broader, regional mandate. 'The [power] disruptions highlighted the urgent need for structured collaboration between estates, municipal authorities and Eskom to prevent similar disruptions in future, particularly during peak seasons such as Easter and year-end holidays,' said the REETT in a recent statement. 'Recognising that each estate faces unique challenges within the broader municipal framework, the REETT was created to work collaboratively with KDM and Eskom, ensuring estates have a platform to engage proactively on issues of electrical infrastructure management, maintenance and upgrades.' Meetings will be held at least quarterly. The task team's primary objectives include: Operational and technical contributions: Providing expert input to improve service delivery and infrastructure sustainability. Enhanced communication protocols: Establishing clear, reliable channels for managing power outages and updates. Collaboration with KDM and Eskom: Developing co-governance models for shared maintenance and upgrades. Participation in the KwaDukuza Electrical Task Team: Aligning estate-level initiatives with broader municipal and business chamber strategies. Legal and regulatory compliance: Ensuring all interventions adhere to NERSA and other regulatory requirements. Building trust and transparency: Strengthening relationships between KDM and residential estates to advocate effectively for homeowners' interests. Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news. Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you're on desktop, scan the QR code below. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
High Court ruling clarifies Renergen's operations in South Africa's gas sector
CEO Stefano Marani at the helium and liquid natural gas production facility in Virginia, Free State. The company has won a High Court ruling that clarifies the regulatory framework for upstream gas sector. Image: supplied JSE-listed Renergen has won a "legal victory" that frees its onshore helium and natura gas production from operating under National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) regulations, and the ruling adds regulatory clarity to South Africa's petroleum sector. The High Court of South Africa, Gauteng Division, did, on May 2, 2025, rule in favour of Renergen's owned subsidiary Tetra4's request for a declarator that the Gas Act of 2001 does not apply to production and incidental activities related to upstream petroleum activities, including a requirement for licensing of trading, construction, and operation of liquefaction facilities outside the piped gas industry. "This judgment is a landmark win for Tetra4 and the entire upstream gas industry. It affirms that upstream gas production and related activities, including on-site liquefaction, are outside the scope of the Gas Act and NERSA's licensing regime, provided they do not supply the regulated piped gas industry,' Renergen CEO Stefano Marani said. In December 2021, Tetra4 initiated High Court motion proceedings to seek clarification on the jurisdiction of NERSA regarding certain operational activities. 'This order shows these activities fall under the regulatory purview of the Production Right granted in accordance with the Mineral and Petroleum Resources Development Act 28 of 2002 and resolves ambiguity and potential contradictions arising from disparate sets of legislation affecting Tetra4,' said Marani. Notably, the court found Tetra4 did not require a NERSA license for trading in gas (such as methane and helium) when such trading occurs outside the piped gas industry, and not involving the national pipeline grid or downstream market regulated by NERSA.
IOL News
03-05-2025
- Business
- IOL News
NERSA establishes Electricity Market Advisory Forum to transform South Africa's electricity sector
New Electricity Market Advisory Forum launched by NERSA for South Africa's energy reform Image: IOL/Independent Newspapers The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) has taken a significant step towards transforming the country's electricity sector by approving the establishment of the Electricity Market Advisory Forum (EMAF). This new advisory body, formed under the provisions of the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, aims to provide expert guidance on the development and regulatory oversight of South Africa's emerging competitive electricity market. In a statement issued on Friday, NERSA's Head of Communications, Charles Hlebela, highlighted the importance of the EMAF in navigating the profound changes anticipated in the sector. 'The decision recognises the transformative shift in the electricity landscape, driven by amendments to the Electricity Regulation Act (ERA), which envisage a competitive electricity market within the next five years. 'The EMAF is a strategic move to involve stakeholders early on, fostering a robust, inclusive regulatory environment to support this transition.' Hlebela stated that the establishment of the EMAF aligns with South Africa's broader energy reform agenda, which includes licensing a Market Operator—likely to be the National Transmission Company of South Africa (NTCSA)—and the development of comprehensive Market Rules and Codes. These regulations will underpin the operation of the nascent wholesale electricity market, which introduces regulatory activities that are relatively new to the South African context, such as market surveillance and enforcement. Stakeholder Engagement and Institutional Strengthening According to NERSA, the EMAF's primary role will be advising NERSA on key regulatory frameworks, including the finalisation of Market Rules and Codes crucial for the market's launch. It added that the forum will also provide insights on the necessary enablers for a competitive market, such as licensing procedures, operational oversight, and enforcement mechanisms. Recognising the complexity and novelty of these activities, NERSA emphasised the importance of stakeholder consultation and institutional capacity building. 'An inclusive consultation process like the EMAF will help ensure all stakeholders are prepared for the evolving market. This initiative will foster readiness among industry players, regulators, and end-users alike, " said Hlebela. 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 Next Stay Close ✕
