Public draft · claims are still being checked · how we check sources
Ideas · Regional power trade
Reform · South Africa

Competitive wholesale electricity market (SAWEM) under the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act

Record ZAF-R-0001 · draft, not yet reviewed by a person

Status by track

LegalIn force · 1 Jan 2025sources checked 10 Oct 2026
  • Statement · 1 Jan 2025
    the Act commenced on 1 January 2025, except the section 1 amendments to the definitions of "reticulation" and "distribution power systems", which await a later proclamation the Act commenced on 1 January 2025, except the section 1 amendments to the definitions of "reticulation" and "distribution power systems", which await a later proclamationProclamation Notice 236 of 2024, commencement of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 38 of 2024 · operative paragraph, PDF p.1 / printed Gazette p.3 · 1 Jan 2025paraphrase, not a quotationChecked by Codex (an AI reviewer), review of 10 Oct 2026 (the PDF body is an image; a secondary summary on golegal.co.za agrees)
    Proclamation Notice 236 of 2024, commencement of the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act 38 of 2024 · operative paragraph, PDF p.1 / printed Gazette p.3 · paraphrase, not a quotation
  • Statement · 27 Nov 2025
    "a series of landmark decisions by the Energy Regulator on 27 November 2025"; "the approval of the Market Operator licence for the NTCSA" "a series of landmark decisions by the Energy Regulator on 27 November 2025"; "the approval of the Market Operator licence for the NTCSA"NERSA approves Market Operator licence for NTCSA and establishment of Electricity Market Advisory Forum (media statement) · media statement, p.1 · 27 Nov 2025wording checked against the document
    NERSA approves Market Operator licence for NTCSA and establishment of Electricity Market Advisory Forum (media statement) · media statement, p.1 · wording checked against the document
RulesConsulted · 26 Aug 2026sources checked 16 Oct 2026

Market Code heard by NERSA on 1 July 2026, against NERSA's own target of approval by 31 July 2026. Trading Rules consultation extended twice, to 28 August and then 28 September 2026 (press reports), and reported on 6 October 2026 as still not finalised. A further consultation, on a regulatory framework for electricity trading platforms, opened on 4 October 2026; it is a separate instrument, so the status date stays with the Trading Rules extension. Approval of the Market Code or the Trading Rules not found.

  • Market Code · target: Feb 2026
    "Submit the Market Code to NERSA for approval" (February 2026) "Submit the Market Code to NERSA for approval" (February 2026)Operation Vulindlela Phase II, Q3 2025/26 progress report · printed p.5 / PDF p.9, Next Steps · target: Feb 2026wording checked against the document
    Operation Vulindlela Phase II, Q3 2025/26 progress report · printed p.5 / PDF p.9, Next Steps · wording checked against the document
  • Market Code and Market Rules · 25 Feb 2026
    "The Market Code and Market Rules application was formally submitted to NERSA by NTCSA on 25 February 2026." "The Market Code and Market Rules application was formally submitted to NERSA by NTCSA on 25 February 2026."Report on NERSA's consultation on the Market Code and Market Rules · article text · 25 Feb 2026wording checked against the documentSecondary source: no primary NERSA or NTCSA notice of the submission date found yet
    Report on NERSA's consultation on the Market Code and Market Rules · article text · wording checked against the document
  • Market Code · 25 Feb 2026
    NTCSA confirmed that "the Market Code was formally submitted to Nersa for approval on February 25." NTCSA confirmed that "the Market Code was formally submitted to Nersa for approval on February 25."Launch of SAWEM delayed, but NTCSA says preparations are well advanced · article text · 25 Feb 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a personSecondary source: attributed to NTCSA; NERSA's consultation paper gives no submission date
    Launch of SAWEM delayed, but NTCSA says preparations are well advanced · article text · not yet checked by a person
  • Market Code and Market Rules (NTCSA submission) · 28 Apr 2026
    Table 2 dates the paper's publication 28 April 2026. Table 2 dates the paper's publication 28 April 2026.Consultation Paper on the Market Code and Rules submitted by NTCSA · PDF p.4; Table 2, PDF p.26 · 28 Apr 2026paraphrase, not a quotation
    Consultation Paper on the Market Code and Rules submitted by NTCSA · PDF p.4; Table 2, PDF p.26 · paraphrase, not a quotation
  • Market Code and Market Rules (NTCSA submission) · target: 29 May 2026
    "The deadline for the submission of comments is 29 May 2026." "The deadline for the submission of comments is 29 May 2026."Consultation Paper on the Market Code and Rules submitted by NTCSA · PDF p.4 · target: 29 May 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a person
    Consultation Paper on the Market Code and Rules submitted by NTCSA · PDF p.4 · not yet checked by a person
  • Market Code · target: 31 Jul 2026
    NERSA's timetable row "ER Approval the Market Code Submission | 31 July 2026" NERSA's timetable row "ER Approval the Market Code Submission | 31 July 2026"Consultation Paper on the Market Code and Rules submitted by NTCSA · Table 2, PDF p.26 (printed "Page 26 of 27") · target: 31 Jul 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a person
    Consultation Paper on the Market Code and Rules submitted by NTCSA · Table 2, PDF p.26 (printed "Page 26 of 27") · not yet checked by a person
  • Electricity Trading Rules and Market Code · Q2 2026
    NERSA "published a revised version of the Electricity Trading Rules as well as the Market Code ... for public comment" NERSA "published a revised version of the Electricity Trading Rules as well as the Market Code ... for public comment"Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.6-7 · Q2 2026wording checked against the document
    Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.6-7 · wording checked against the document
  • Market Code · 1 Jul 2026
    the draft market code "received broad support during a public hearing on July 1" the draft market code "received broad support during a public hearing on July 1"SAETA urges timely finalisation of electricity market rules to unlock investment, competition · article text (about para. 5) · 1 Jul 2026wording checked against the documentSecondary source: no primary record of the hearing found yet
    SAETA urges timely finalisation of electricity market rules to unlock investment, competition · article text (about para. 5) · wording checked against the document
  • Electricity Trading Rules (revised) · target: comments close on July 27
    NERSA "has published for public consultation revised trading rules", which govern bilateral trading outside SAWEM; "Public comments ... close on July 27." NERSA "has published for public consultation revised trading rules", which govern bilateral trading outside SAWEM; "Public comments ... close on July 27."SAETA urges timely finalisation of electricity market rules to unlock investment, competition · article text (about paras. 8 and 11) · target: comments close on July 27wording checked against the documentSecondary source: NERSA's consultation notice not found yet
    SAETA urges timely finalisation of electricity market rules to unlock investment, competition · article text (about paras. 8 and 11) · wording checked against the document
  • Electricity Trading Rules (revised) · target: 28 Aug 2026
    "The original closing date of July 29, 2026, has now been moved to Friday, August 28, 2026." "The original closing date of July 29, 2026, has now been moved to Friday, August 28, 2026."NERSA extends public consultation deadline for South Africa's draft electricity trading rules to August 28, 2026 · article text · target: 28 Aug 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a personSecondary source: NERSA's extension notice not found; nersa.org.za could not be reached
    NERSA extends public consultation deadline for South Africa's draft electricity trading rules to August 28, 2026 · article text · not yet checked by a person
  • Electricity Trading Rules (revised) · 26 Aug 2026
    "NERSA announced on August 26" that the comment deadline, "initially August 28, 2026", was extended, so that the rules can be reviewed alongside the Electricity Pricing Policy "NERSA announced on August 26" that the comment deadline, "initially August 28, 2026", was extended, so that the rules can be reviewed alongside the Electricity Pricing PolicyNERSA extends deadline for comments on revised electricity trading rules in South Africa · article text · 26 Aug 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a personSecondary source: NERSA's extension notice not found; nersa.org.za could not be reached
    NERSA extends deadline for comments on revised electricity trading rules in South Africa · article text · not yet checked by a person
  • Electricity Trading Rules (revised) · target: 28 Sep 2026
    the new deadline is "Monday, September 28, 2026" the new deadline is "Monday, September 28, 2026"NERSA extends deadline for comments on revised electricity trading rules in South Africa · article text · target: 28 Sep 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a personSecondary source: NERSA's extension notice not found; nersa.org.za could not be reached
    NERSA extends deadline for comments on revised electricity trading rules in South Africa · article text · not yet checked by a person
  • Market Code and Electricity Trading Rules · target: Aug 2026
    according to SAETA's account of NERSA's indicative timelines, "both the market code and the trading rules are expected to be finalised during August" according to SAETA's account of NERSA's indicative timelines, "both the market code and the trading rules are expected to be finalised during August"SAETA urges timely finalisation of electricity market rules to unlock investment, competition · article text (about para. 12) · target: Aug 2026wording checked against the documentSecondary source: attributed to SAETA, not to NERSA directly
    SAETA urges timely finalisation of electricity market rules to unlock investment, competition · article text (about para. 12) · wording checked against the document
  • Electricity Trading Rules and Market Code · target: Sep 2026
    "Finalise the Electricity Trading Rules and Market Code following submission of public comments" (September 2026) "Finalise the Electricity Trading Rules and Market Code following submission of public comments" (September 2026)Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.7, Next Steps · target: Sep 2026wording checked against the document
    Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.7, Next Steps · wording checked against the document
  • Electricity Trading Rules (revised)
    "Rules for bilateral electricity trading are also still in flux." "They have still not been finalised." (The state of the rules when the article was published; no milestone happened on that date.) "Rules for bilateral electricity trading are also still in flux." "They have still not been finalised." (The state of the rules when the article was published; no milestone happened on that date.)Nersa wants five-year ban on automated electricity trading · article text (published 6 October 2026)not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a personSecondary source: a press report of the rules' state on its publication date; no NERSA statement found
    Nersa wants five-year ban on automated electricity trading · article text (published 6 October 2026) · not yet checked by a person
  • Electricity trading platform regulatory framework · 4 Oct 2026
    "Invitation for written stakeholder comments and public hearing on the electricity trading platform regulatory framework", listed with the date 4 October 2026 "Invitation for written stakeholder comments and public hearing on the electricity trading platform regulatory framework", listed with the date 4 October 2026Invitation for written stakeholder comments and public hearing on the electricity trading platform regulatory framework · title and date as listed on NERSA's homepage (the notice PDF could not be fetched) · 4 Oct 2026not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a person
    Invitation for written stakeholder comments and public hearing on the electricity trading platform regulatory framework · title and date as listed on NERSA's homepage (the notice PDF could not be fetched) · not yet checked by a person
  • Electricity trading platform regulatory framework · target: 31 Oct 2026
    written comments close on 31 October 2026, and a virtual public hearing is scheduled for 19 November 2026 written comments close on 31 October 2026, and a virtual public hearing is scheduled for 19 November 2026NERSA opens consultation on electricity trading platform framework · article text · target: 31 Oct 2026paraphrase, not a quotationSecondary source: NERSA's notice could not be fetched
    NERSA opens consultation on electricity trading platform framework · article text · paraphrase, not a quotation
Not established
  • Whether NERSA has approved the Market Code or the Trading Rules. NERSA's own target for the Market Code was 31 July 2026; no approval was found in the sources read to 16 October 2026, and that is not evidence it has not happened.
  • The trading platform consultation paper's glossary defines the Market Code as "The approved Market Code governing participation and operation of the South African Wholesale Electricity Market" (p.6). That is a definition, not a record of approval; the paper gives no approval date.
  • The Trading Rules' original comment deadline appears as 27 July (Engineering News) and as 29 July (SolarQuarter, 16 July 2026). The later sequence is now consistent across the press reports read (moved to 28 August, then to 28 September), but no NERSA notice for either extension has been found.
  • A primary record of the 1 July 2026 hearing. NERSA's consultation paper does not mention one.
DeliveryPartly operating · Apr 2026sources checked 16 Oct 2026
  • SAWEM internal trading · Apr 2026
    "the internal launch of SAWEM, now operating with 32 participants"; internal trading launched in April 2026 "the internal launch of SAWEM, now operating with 32 participants"; internal trading launched in April 2026Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.6 · Apr 2026wording checked against the document
    Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.6 · wording checked against the document
  • SAWEM external trading · target: early 2027
    "the successful launch of external trading in early 2027" "the successful launch of external trading in early 2027"Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.6; p.7 roadmap · target: early 2027wording checked against the document
    Operation Vulindlela progress report, Q1 2026/27 · p.6; p.7 roadmap · wording checked against the document
  • SAWEM external participants · target: from the second quarter of 2027
    "phased introduction of limited external market participants from the second quarter of 2027" "phased introduction of limited external market participants from the second quarter of 2027"Written reply to parliamentary question NW3909 (Ms N S Sompa-Masiu), Minister of Electricity and Energy · reply text · target: from the second quarter of 2027not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a person
    Written reply to parliamentary question NW3909 (Ms N S Sompa-Masiu), Minister of Electricity and Energy · reply text · not yet checked by a person
  • fully functional competitive wholesale market · target: by approximately 2030
    "a fully functional competitive wholesale electricity market by approximately 2030" "a fully functional competitive wholesale electricity market by approximately 2030"Written reply to parliamentary question NW3909 (Ms N S Sompa-Masiu), Minister of Electricity and Energy · reply text · target: by approximately 2030not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a person
    Written reply to parliamentary question NW3909 (Ms N S Sompa-Masiu), Minister of Electricity and Energy · reply text · not yet checked by a person
  • SAWEM operation (term not defined by the source) · target: Apr 2027
    "SAWEM is scheduled to begin operating in April 2027"; "the market's formal launch was delayed from April 2026" "SAWEM is scheduled to begin operating in April 2027"; "the market's formal launch was delayed from April 2026"NTCSA setting up market surveillance unit as part of preparations for SAWEM launch in April · article text · target: Apr 2027not yet checked by a personChecked by machine match on the editor's PC, 18 Oct 2026: word for word (docs/quote-machine-match-2026-10-18.md); not yet checked by a personSecondary source: reporter's statement; no primary source for the April 2027 date found
    NTCSA setting up market surveillance unit as part of preparations for SAWEM launch in April · article text · not yet checked by a person
Sources disagree

Operation Vulindlela targets the launch of external trading in early 2027. The Minister's written reply of 30 July 2026 speaks of a "phased introduction of limited external market participants from the second quarter of 2027"; that is a participation milestone, not a stated date for external trading, and the two are not reconciled. Press reports in August and September 2026 said external trading would launch in September 2026, citing no source. Mining Weekly (30 September 2026) says SAWEM "is scheduled to begin operating in April 2027", without saying whether that means external trading; it may define "launch" differently from Operation Vulindlela, which dates the internal launch to April 2026.

Not established
  • No traded volumes or prices found for SAWEM.
FundingNot applicable

Blockers

Connections

  • Shared challenge with Wheeling under existing arrangements, Open access to the networks
  • Potential learning with Open access to the networks, Wheeling under existing arrangements
  • Joint action or dependency with Open access to the networks, Untraded matched energy, NamPower outages, ZiZaBoNa interconnector

Institutions named

A role is shown only where a quoted source says what the institution does on this reform.

Reach: 3 cross-border links, 1 blockers, 5 institutions in 1 country. Counted from the records.

In SA Policy Space

SA Policy Space records this reform as "implemented". That single label is kept as source information; the tracks above say what the evidence here supports. Open it in SA Policy Space