The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) has called for public comment on revised draft rules for electricity trading as part of a second round of consultations after Eskom raised objections to an initial draft published in November 2025.

In a statement, Nersa said the updated draft rules had been significantly expanded and revised to incorporate stakeholder comments that were made during the initial consultation process.

“The revised rules establish a comprehensive regulatory architecture designed to enable the phased implementation and operationalisation of bilateral electricity trading arrangements, thereby supporting the transition towards a fully competitive electricity retail market in South Africa,” the regulator said.

A deadline of July 27 has been set for the submission of written comments, with the date for public hearings to be announced after that closing date.

Nersa indicates that the aim is for the rules to be Gazetted in August.

The proposed rules, which Nersa labels Version 03, are likely to be particularly closely scrutinised by licensed electricity traders and Eskom, but have implications for all participants in the electricity supply industry.

They follow on from Eskom’s objections to the initial draft rules and the utility’s court challenge launched against Nersa’s licensing of five additional traders in 2024; a case that has been stayed but not yet withdrawn.

Describing the rules as a critical regulatory instrument for governing retail electricity trading activities during the transition to a competitive market, Nersa said they aimed to ensure competitive neutrality, prevent uneconomic bypass of network and policy-related costs, and protect consumer interests.

“The phased implementation of retail competition, as outlined in the trading rules, introduces contestability for consumers and establishes mechanisms such as non-bypassable charges, volume restrictions, and wheeling arrangements.

“These measures are intended to balance the development of a competitive market with the financial sustainability of the electricity supply industry,” Nersa said.