The Municipal Embedded Generation (EG) Support Programme is now open for 2025 applications, offering municipalities technical and operational assistance to address the challenges of integrating EG systems.

The programme, facilitated by the South African-German Energy Programme, aims to strengthen municipal capacity in the following areas:

· Enhancing application and approval processes for EG customers.

· Safely integrating EG systems onto municipal networks.

· Developing sustainable business models for municipalities.

· Support with various aspects of their energy transition.

The application closing date is January 31. Municipalities that wish to apply for support must be prepared to assign responsible staff, commit to the entire support process resulting in a working EG system and report progress annually through surveys.

The five-day training session on EG applications is scheduled for February 24-28. It will address EG technologies, regulatory frameworks and technical and financial requirements. The training includes the development of customised documents for council approval and post-training technical support. Participants will also gain access to certified training materials, operational tools and specialist assistance on topics such as cost-of-supply studies, EG tariffs, wheeling, bi-directional metering, grid impact studies and power quality.

A peer exchange platform will enable municipalities to share knowledge and strategies to enhance their implementation efforts.

The initiative, endorsed by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy and the South African Local Government Association, is implemented by non-profit company Sustainable Energy Africa, the Solar Training Centre, Digsilent Buyisa and Det Norske Veritas.