Nersa establishes electricity market advisory forum to reshape SA's energy landscape

THE National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has ticked the right boxes in the appointment of an electricity advisory forum expected to help it navigate the robustly changing energy market, market commentators have said.

- BANELE GININDZA

This comes as Nersa last week announced its approval for the appointment of an advisory body, the Electricity Market Advisory Forum (EMAF), will advise Nersa on various matters related to the establishment of a competitive electricity market.

In a statement on Friday, Nersa said the decision of the Energy Regulator recognised the profound changes anticipated in the electricity sector and the role of the Energy Regulator, heralded by the amended ERA, which includes the establishment of a competitive electricity market over the next five years.

"The EMAF is a proactive move to involve stakeholders to support the Energy Regulator to establish a robust and inclusive regulatory environment to oversee the nascent electricity market," Nersa said.

It added that with the implementation of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act fostering a more competitive electricity sector, it was vital that the monopolistic control and influence of Eskom over the sector be mitigated.