Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment Minister Dr Dion George has welcomed State-owned utility Eskom’s ongoing commitment, reaffirmed on April 1, to waive registration fees and provide free smart meters for residential small-scale embedded generation systems up to 50 kVA until March 2026.

In place since March 2023, this policy continues to encourage South African households to adopt solar PV systems – typically sized at 16 kVA for most residential installations – supporting the urgent transition to a cleaner, more sustainable energy future.

In a media release, the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) says this aligns with George’s decision, announced on March 31, to impose stringent conditions on Eskom’s coal-fired power stations under the minimum emission standards exemptions, signalling a broader push for environmental accountability and energy transformation.

However, the Minister encourages Eskom to extend this waiver indefinitely and take bolder steps to accelerate South Africa’s shift from coal.

While the current exemption, covering registration fees, smart meter costs and connection charges until March 2026, is a positive measure – saving households with typical 16 kVA systems up to R9 132 – it remains a temporary fix, the DFFE states.

“We urge Eskom to make these benefits permanent for residential customers. The looming reinstatement of fees after March 2026 risks creating a financial barrier that could deter investment in solar PV and other renewable solutions, slowing progress when rapid, widespread adoption is essential to meet our commitments under the Paris Agreement and the Climate Change Act,” it adds.

It notes that Eskom’s approved 12.74% tariff increase for direct customers also kicked in on April 1, further raising electricity costs and underscoring the need for accessible renewable alternatives.

“If Eskom is serious about reducing emissions and advancing the just transition to a low-carbon economy, it must eliminate obstacles for households eager to embrace renewables,” the DFFE expresses.

It notes that permanently waiving registration and associated costs for residential systems up to 50 kVA would unequivocally demonstrate Eskom’s commitment to empowering South Africans to reduce reliance on coal-fired power and support the Minister’s call for faster renewable-energy integration into the grid.

“We stand ready to collaborate with Eskom, and the private sector to deliver practical, long-term solutions that hasten this energy transition. A sustainable future is within reach, but it demands bold, consistent action – starting with the permanent removal of financial disincentives that hinder residential renewable energy adoption,” says George.