The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) could make another addition to the renewable energy feed-in tariff (Refit) which would include those producers that generate less than 1 MW of renewable energy.
Thembani Bukula, Nersa regulator, said that small-scale producers were likely to be included in the Refit’s third phase that is expected in about six months. The first two phases, the last expected to be approved by Nersa toward the end of October, have excluded small-scale producers in an effort to minimize delays.
PV manufacturer Sharp conducted a study earlier this year on the regulatory framework required for a solar photovoltaic feed-in tariff in South Africa concluding that a different approach would be required for small-scale projects as a result of existing generation license requirements. The project coordinator for the University of KwaZulu-Natal’s small wind turbine test facility, Jean Pitot, said small-scale production of renewable energy introduced some "technical challenges, especially in metering and billing."
While larger renewable energy projects were "generally cheaper" the challenge of rural electrification remained. "You’ve got to have something small enough to be managed by the community," Pitot said.