Renewable energy/ FILE
The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has issued fresh registration and licensing guidelines for renewable energy technicians, contractors, vendors, manufacturers and importers operating in the country.
In a public notice, the regulator directed individuals and businesses in the renewable energy sector to apply for licences through the EPRA online licensing portal and submit all required documents as outlined in the authority’s criteria.
The move forms part of EPRA’s mandate to oversee the planning, development, implementation, promotion and regulation of renewable energy through research, standard setting, compliance and enforcement.
Under the guidelines, solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians involved in the installation, testing, maintenance and repair of solar power systems are required to obtain licences under the T1, T2 or T3 categories.
"Applicants under the T1 category will pay a Sh250 application fee, a Sh1,000 grant fee and a Sh500 annual renewal fee. T2 applicants will pay Sh500 for application, Sh2,000 for grant and Sh750 for annual renewal, while T3 applicants will pay Sh750 application fee, Sh3,000 grant fee and Sh1,000 annual renewal fee," EPRA stated.
EPRA said the processing period for solar PV technicians’ licences will take up to 60 days upon submission of complete applications.
The authority also outlined licensing requirements for solar PV contractors, vendors and manufacturers, with applications expected to be processed within 30 days.
Contractors under the C1 category will pay Sh500 application fees, Sh1,000 grant fees and Sh1,000 annual renewal fees.
Vendors and manufacturers will be classified under V1 and V2 categories. V1 applicants will pay Sh1,000 application fees, Sh2,500 grant fees and Sh1,000 annual renewal fees, while V2 applicants will pay Sh2,000 application fees, Sh5,000 grant fees and Sh2,000 annual renewal fees.
For the solar water heating sector, workers installing and maintaining the systems will be licensed under SHW1 and SHW2 categories, with processing expected within 60 days.
Renewable energy/ FILE
SHW1 applicants will pay Sh500 application fees, Sh1,000 grant fees and Sh1,000 annual renewal fees. Those under SHW2 will pay Sh750 application fees, Sh1,500 grant fees and Sh1,500 annual renewal fees.
Solar water heating contractors, vendors, manufacturers and importers have been placed under SHC1, SHC2 and SHM categories, with their licences expected to be processed within 30 days.
"Applicants under SHC1 will pay Sh2,000 application fees, Sh1,500 grant fees and Sh1,500 annual renewal fees," EPRA stated.
Those applying under SHC2 and SHM categories will each pay Sh3,000 application fees, Sh2,000 grant fees and Sh2,000 annual renewal fees.
EPRA advised interested applicants to review the relevant licensing guidelines available on its website before submitting applications through the online portal.
The authority also encouraged stakeholders to seek further clarification through its customer service channels.
