City Power Johannesburg is the electricity distribution entity for the City of Johannesburg, serving approximately 500,000 electricity customers across Johannesburg. The SSEG process for City Power customers mirrors the national framework — NRS 097-2-1:2024 for technical requirements, SANS 10142-1 for installation standards, and a pre-application plus as-built submission process for approval. The practical difference from Eskom customers is that you deal entirely with City Power rather than Eskom.
Network Capacity Constraints Are Common in Parts of Johannesburg
Some parts of Johannesburg have high existing solar penetration on certain feeders. City Power may approve a smaller system size or a lower export limit than requested if the local network is constrained. Check this before finalising your system design — designing for maximum export in a constrained area leads to application pushback or installed systems that cannot export at full capacity.
City Power SSEG Document Requirements
| Document | Pre-Application | As-Built Submission |
|---|---|---|
| SSEG pre-application form | Required | — |
| Inverter specification + NRS 097 certificate | Required | — |
| Proposed single-line diagram | Required | — |
| Site plan | Required | — |
| Installer DoL registration | Required | — |
| Certificate of Compliance | — | Required |
| As-built single-line diagram | — | Required |
| Commissioning report (NRS 097 settings) | — | Required |
| System specification sheet | — | Required |
Battery Storage Registration
City Power’s SSEG framework covers battery-hybrid systems. If your system includes battery storage:
- Disclose the battery in the pre-application (include battery spec sheet)
- The battery system must comply with IEC 62619 (lithium battery safety)
- The inverter must be capable of managing both PV and battery in grid-tied mode with correct protection settings
- City Power may apply additional requirements for battery systems — confirm at application stage
See the battery storage compliance guide for full battery requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Is City Power the same as the City of Johannesburg? City Power Johannesburg is a municipal entity (Johannesburg’s electricity distribution entity) owned by the City of Johannesburg. It operates the electricity distribution network for most of Johannesburg. Some areas on the outskirts of Johannesburg are supplied by Eskom rather than City Power — check your electricity bill to confirm whether you are a City Power or Eskom customer.
What does the bidirectional meter installation cost? City Power charges a fee for the bidirectional meter replacement as part of the SSEG registration. Confirm the current fee with City Power at application stage — it varies by meter type and installation complexity. The fee is typically a one-time charge.
Can a commercial business register SSEG with City Power? Yes. City Power’s SSEG framework covers commercial customers as well as residential. Commercial SSEG applications for systems above 25 kVA may require additional documentation including a professional engineer’s sign-off and possibly a network impact study. Contact City Power’s large customer SSEG desk for commercial applications.
View the full South Africa compliance overview or the Eskom SSEG guide for comparison. Use solar design software to prepare City Power–ready documentation.
