Small Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) connection

Connect your own generator to the electricity network 

New energy technology solutions in South Africa provide customers the opportunity to redefine their role in the electricity value chain.  These solutions includes the installation of small generators to generate their own electricity.  

Investing in a generator involves a significant financial commitment and therefore requires careful consideration of the following key aspects:

  • Ensure that you are on the correct tariff. To view Eskom generator tariffs click here
  • Compliance to legal and regulatory requirements
  • Compliance to Eskom and South African Bureau of Standards (SABS) technical and contract requirements
  • Ensuring the safety of people, animals and equipment

    Click here for the “Eskom embedded generation brochure”

Assessing the feasibility of your application

Step 1:  High-level overview of the process

Your responsibilities:

  • Ensure that you have an existing Eskom supply (for more information download the electricity supply application form).
  • Provide all the required personal documentation for the application submission
  • Identify your preferred generator network configurations
  • All grid-tied generator options will require that your meter be upgraded (either completely changed out or re-program
  • Adhere to the legal and technical requirements (Step 2)
  • Pay the application fee to Eskom
  • Submit the applicable NERSA – (National Electricity Regulator of South Africa), documents to Eskom in support of the SSEG application
  • Pay all other applicable costs and submit signed documents that Eskom will provide as part of the Eskom quote.
  • Submit to Eskom the signed copy of the Embedded Generation Installation report 

Eskom’s responsibilities:

  • Confirm that the customer is on a dedicated transformer. A customer on a shared transformer will not be allowed to be grid tied currently. NOTE: It is anticipated that these types of connections will be phased in and this website will be updated accordingly.  
  • Categorize the voltage size of the connection (medium or low)
  • Analyse the network requirements
  • Provide a list of legal and technical documentation requirements to the customer
  • Invoice and confirm payment of the application fee before the application is processed
  • Provide a quotation for the Eskom work needed for the connection
  • Once the generator has been registered on the NERSA database, Eskom raises the charges as per the quotation and proceeds with completing the work
  • Eskom will provide the customer with new supply agreements and a connection agreement for the SSEG.

Step 2:  Understand the legal and technical requirements

 Eskom technical requirements:

Go to https://scot.eskom.co.za and familiarise yourself with the following additional information:

  • NRS 097-1: Code of Practice for the interconnection of embedded generation to electricity distribution networks: Part 1 MV and HV (Eskom 240-61268576 / DST 34-1765: Standard for the interconnection of embedded generation)
  • NRS 097-2-1: Grid Interconnection of Embedded Generation – Part 2 Small-scale embedded generation – Section 1: Utility interface
  • NRS 097-2-3: Grid Interconnection of Embedded Generation – Part 2 – Section 3: Simplified utility connection criteria for low-voltage connected generators

This website is secure and requires you to have a valid username and password. Access to https://scot.eskom.co.za can be obtained by completing the new user form and paying the annual web subscription as listed on the website. 

For SANS technical standards (www.sabs.co.za)

For Occupational Health and Safety Act, as amended (https://www.gov.za/documents/occupational-health-and-safety-act)

Step 3:  Prepare to apply to Eskom for generator connection

Click here to download the Application for the connection of a Small Scale Embedded Generator (SSEG) to the Eskom network

Submit your completed application form to: [email protected] 

Alternatively you can call 08600 37566 and ask for a local advisor to contact you for help on the submission of your SSEG application form.

The support documents necessary to accompany the application are:

  • Latest electricity bill
  • Letter from customer that you are applying on their behalf
  • SLD- Single Line Diagram
  • Eskom SSEG Application form.
  • Customer Identity document

Step 4:  Start the generator connection registration process

Register with NERSA and obtain a license or registration letter from them (available online from http://www.nersa.org.za/).

Step 5:  NERSA approved generator connection

Once NERSA has provided the required license or registration for your SSEG application, if applicable, you inform and submit to Eskom.  Eskom will raise the applicable fees as per the quotation for the Eskom works required to connect the SSEG to the grid

Project commencement and completion steps

Step 1:  Sign the new supply agreement and pay relevant connection fees
You sign the new supply agreement together with any new guarantees. 

Step 2:  Start with installation and connection process
You start installing the generator portion of the connection works and Eskom will also initiate any work to be done on its portion of the connection works.

Step 3:  Quality assessments
Eskom conducts quality assessments throughout the construction/installation of the electricity connection.

Step 4:  Inspection and approval
The installation needs to be tested and certified in accordance with the national standards for such an installation.  

You provide Eskom with a copy of the signed Embedded Generation Installation report,

Step 5:  Create new customer account
The Eskom billing system is updated according to the new supply agreement.

Contact us
If you are interested in installing a generator that will be grid-tied, please contact Eskom on 08600 37566 to arrange for assistance.