National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is a regulatory authority established under section 3 of the National Energy Regulator Act 40 of 2004. NERSA regulates the electricity, piped-gas and petroleum pipelines industries under the Electricity Regulation Act of 2006, the Gas Act of 2001 and the Petroleum Pipelines Act of 2003. NERSA is based in Arcadia, Pretoria.

Registered name

National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA)

Type

Regulatory authority (electricity, piped gas and petroleum pipelines)

Fields funded

Engineering, energy economics, energy law and related fields

Website

nersa.org.za

Nine regulators

The Energy Regulator consists of nine members, five part-time and four full-time, including the chief executive officer, supported by staff under the CEO. NERSA’s mission is to regulate the energy industry in line with government laws, policies, standards and international best practice to support sustainable and orderly development.

What NERSA decides

NERSA’s decisions affect every household and business. NERSA approves Eskom’s electricity tariffs and municipal electricity tariff increases, issues licences for power generation and gas and petroleum facilities, and sets maximum gas prices. NERSA’s recent notices include public hearings on maximum gas prices for NOVO Energy and Columbus Stainless, an invitation to comment on a licence and tariff for Engen’s Berth 5 petroleum loading facility, and a draft rule on mediation and arbitration under the Electricity Regulation Act.

Public hearings are central to NERSA’s work, because consumers, businesses and municipalities can comment before NERSA decides.

Principles NERSA follows

NERSA says it follows internationally accepted regulatory principles: transparency, including independence from political influence and avoiding capture by customer groups; accountability for its decisions; integrity; efficiency; and acting in the public interest. As a public entity, NERSA tables five-year strategic plans and annual performance plans and reports quarterly to its executive authority.

What we know about the bursary

NERSA supports bursaries for students in engineering and energy-related qualifications, according to a provider record checked in August 2026. BursariesAfrica’s older NERSA guide describes postgraduate funding in fields such as electrical engineering, energy law, energy economics and environmental management, but it has not been refreshed with verified 2027 details, so treat it as background.

How to research NERSA

Check NERSA’s job advertisements and notices for bursary or internship calls, and email NERSA’s human resources department to ask whether a 2027 round will run. Attend or watch a NERSA public hearing on electricity tariffs to understand how regulation works, and read NERSA’s reasons for a recent decision. Law, economics and engineering students all have roles in energy regulation.

Energy engineers can compare funders on our electrical engineering bursaries page.