The Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) has issued fresh licensing guidelines for renewable energy professionals and businesses.

🇰🇪 Breaking It Down

According to a notice released on Monday, June 22 and reviewed by Kenyans.co.ke, the authority requires technicians, contractors, vendors, manufacturers and importers operating in the solar sector to apply for licences through its online portal before offering services.

“Application via EPRA online licensing portal, attachment of all required documents as per website criteria,” the notice listed as a requirement for all licence applications.

Under the notice, individual solar photovoltaic (PV) technicians seeking to install, maintain, test and repair solar power systems must apply for one of three licence classes depending on qualifications and scope of work, with approvals expected within 60 days.

📌 What You Need to Know

Applicants under the T1 category will pay a Ksh250 application fee, a Ksh1,000 grant fee, with an annual renewal fee of Ksh500. T2 applicants will pay a Ksh500 application fee, Ksh2,000 grant fee and Ksh750 for annual renewal, while T3 applicants will pay Ksh750, Ksh3,000 and Ksh1,000 under the respective fees.

EPRA has also outlined requirements for solar PV contractors, vendors and manufacturers involved in designing, installing, selling or producing solar equipment, with approvals expected within 30 days.

Companies seeking contractor licences must apply under Class C1, and pay a Ksh500 application fee, a Ksh1,000 grant fee, with Ksh1,000 expected for annual renewal.

Vendors and manufacturers fall under V1 and V2 categories. V1 vendors will pay Ksh1,000 application fee, Ksh2,500 grant fee and Ksh1,000 annual renewal fee. For a V2 licence, fees include Ksh2,000 for application, a Ksh5,000 grant and Ksh2,000 for annual renewal.

Further, the regulator directed solar water heating technicians to obtain licences under the SHW1 or SHW2 categories for individuals involved in the installation, servicing and maintenance of solar water heating systems, with processing expected to take up to 60 days.

SHW1 applicants will pay a Ksh500 application fee, Ksh1,000 grant fee and Ksh1,000 annual renewal charge, while SHW2 applicants will pay Ksh750, Ksh1,500 and Ksh1,500 under the respective fees.

📰 Source: Kenyans.co.ke