Page 19 - EngineerIT Nov-Dec 2025

ENERGY

That means municipalities must evaluate the person behind the certificate As South Africa moves toward the new
as much as the certificate itself. A CoC is still not a proxy for competence. It electricity market in 2026, inverter-based
matters who issued it, what they checked, and whether they understand grid systems, microgrids and distributed
behaviour and inverter characteristics. An embedded generator affects both generation will become even more
the connected property and the broader network it connects to. common. The absence of SANS 10142-1-2
leaves a temporary gap, but the risk is
The Position Paper stresses compliance with NRS 097-2 and the relevant manageable if municipalities, installers
grid-code provisions for systems up to 1 MVA. It’s worth noting that SSEG and engineers focus on competence,
is not passive. It interacts with the network. If power quality isn’t managed rigorous inspection and clear technical
properly, you risk voltage fluctuations, harmonics and reliability issues. requirements.
Municipalities cannot overlook those requirements, even under pressure to
speed up connections. The AMEU’s Position Paper is a reminder
of what the sector already knows: the
Municipalities are not without options. They can strengthen their by-laws, energy transition is happening, but
define technical requirements more clearly and call on independent ECSA- safety remains the anchor. Without that
registered engineering professionals when the standards fall short. anchor, the system, and the people who
depend on it, are left exposed.
The AMEU’s recommendations: mandatory training, standardised test reports
and improved inspection protocols, provide a constructive path forward. *Disclaimer: The AMEU Position Paper explicitly
states that it is not creating new regulations
or providing legal advice. It supports existing
Commentators suggest that people are turning to SSEG because they need
legislation and reflects best-practice
reliability. However, it’s our responsibility to ensure that reliability does not
interpretation for utilities. Content may evolve
come at the cost of safety. Every installation that touches the grid must be to align with future national standards and
safe for staff, customers and the wider community. changes in the landscape.

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