The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) registered 144 generation facilities, with a total capacity of 3 129 MW and an estimated investment value of R78.16-billion, during the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year – from July 1 to September 30.

In a media statement, Nersa says it has demonstrated improved efficiency in processing registration applications for generation facilities.

The regulator says it processed 144 applications in an average of just nine working days, marking a notable improvement compared with the same quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, when 181 applications were handled in an average of ten working days.

Nersa says this progress underscores its ongoing commitment to streamlining the evaluation and registration process for new generation facilities.

The regulator says solar PV technology was the top choice for electricity generation in the second quarter, driven by South Africa’s abundant sunshine that benefits both small- and large-scale energy projects.

Gauteng, the Western Cape and KwaZulu-Natal led in the number of new facility registrations.

However, in terms of total installed capacity and investment value, Nersa says the Western Cape, Free State and Limpopo took the top spots.

Notably, the Western Cape recorded the highest investment for the quarter, with about R24.6-billion allocated to projects totalling 1 189 MW in installed capacity.

Of the 144 newly registered generation facilities, Nersa explains that 68 will be connected to municipal distribution networks, delivering a combined capacity of 50 MW and attracting an estimated investment of R584-million.

The remaining 76 facilities will be connected to State-owned Eskom’s transmission and distribution network, contributing a substantial 3 079 MW in capacity and about R77.58-billion in investment.

During the second quarter of the 2026/27 financial year, the average investment cost stood at about R24 980/kW.

Since the launch of the registration regime in 2018, Nersa says it has registered a total of 2 763 generation facilities, representing a combined capacity of 23 260 MW and an estimated total investment of R487-billion.

The regulator says the registration of 144 new generation facilities marks a significant step forward for South Africa’s energy sector.

“This move not only ensures legal and technical compliance but also bolsters grid reliability and safety, enhances national electricity planning and attracts increased private investment.

“By expanding generation capacity, these registrations strengthen the country’s energy security and accelerate the shift towards a more competitive and sustainable electricity market,” says Nersa.