Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality logoDr Beyers NaudéMunicipality · SSEG
Tab 1 · Overview

The Dr Beyers Naudé SSEG Program Requirement

We are inviting private developers to join our Small-Scale Embedded Generation (SSEG) program under the pure generator trading category as defined by Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act — and we want clarity on how to leverage the Solar Exclusion Norm to get our PV plant applications expedited.

The invitation

An open call to private developers

Dr Beyers Naudé Municipality is actively partnering with the private sector to build embedded generation capacity within the municipal grid. The program is structured around a specific regulatory category.

Public–private partnership

Private developers fund, build and operate PV plants. The municipality provides the grid connection, offtake framework and a supportive regulatory environment.

Pure generator trading

Developers participate under the pure generator trading category — generating electricity to sell (wheel/trade) rather than for own use behind the meter.

Schedule 2 framework

The category is defined by Schedule 2 of the Electricity Regulation Act, which sets out which generation activities are licensed and which are registered.
Pure generator trading category

How energy moves under Schedule 2

Under the pure generator trading category, the plant exists to generate and trade electricity. Energy flows from the PV generator, through the municipal grid point of common coupling, to the municipality as the contracted off-taker.

PURE GENERATOR — TRADING CATEGORY · SCHEDULE 2PV GeneratorSolar plant (kWp)Municipal GridPoint of CommonCoupling11 kV PCCMunicipality =Off-takerBuys & distributes energyRegistered as a trading activity — energy is delivered to the grid and bought by the municipality as off-taker.

Why 'pure generator', not 'own use'?

A pure generator does not consume the energy on-site. It sells it — which is precisely why it falls into the trading category and why a clear, expedited authorisation pathway matters so much.

Where the Exclusion Norm fits

Environmental authorisation is historically the longest pole in the tent. The Solar Exclusion Norm replaces a full EIA with a faster registration process for qualifying projects — see Tab 2.
Our clarity question

Leveraging the Norm to expedite PV applications

We are fully aware of the Adoption of the Solar Exclusion Norm. Our focus is practical: how do we, and our development partners, use it to compress timelines without compromising compliance?

Qualify the site early

Confirm the site sits in Low or Medium environmental sensitivity using the national screening tool before any capital is committed.

Register, don't litigate

Replace a multi-month EIA with a structured registration package submitted to the competent authority.

De-risk the pipeline

A predictable 15–21 working-day turnaround lets developers model bankable timelines for the trading offtake.

Stay fully compliant

The Norm is a compliance pathway, not a loophole — every requirement of the Schedule must still be met.

One package, one submission

Assemble screening report, public participation proof, EMPr, site plans and specialist reports up front.

Connect to the grid

Align the registered facility with the municipal 11 kV network and the trading wheeling arrangement.

Ready to see how the Norm works?

Tab 2 unpacks Government Notice 4558 of 2024 clause by clause, with the official infographic.

Go to Tab 2