Grid Capacity / Connection Status
Grid access is the binding constraint on new generation in South Africa. ODS-E provides asset-metadata fields to track the grid connection lifecycle, allocated capacity, and GCAR milestones.
Context
The SAETA “Policy to Power” report describes the GCAR framework introducing 3 milestones (pre-feasibility, capacity reservation, capacity allocation) to structure the queue and prevent speculative lock-up. The NTCSA must add 14,500km of new lines and 210 transformers by 2034. Non-discriminatory grid access is foundational to the SAWEM (Actions 5, 8).
Asset Metadata Fields (under location)
| Field | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
connection_status |
enum: applied, pre_feasibility, reserved, allocated, connected, decommissioned |
Current status in the grid connection lifecycle |
allocated_capacity_kw |
number >= 0 | Grid capacity allocated to this asset |
connection_agreement_ref |
string | Connection or use-of-system agreement reference |
grid_access_queue_date |
string (date) | Date the asset entered the capacity allocation queue |
gcar_milestone |
enum: pre_feasibility, capacity_reservation, capacity_allocation |
Current GCAR milestone achieved |
Usage Notes
connection_statustracks the full lifecycle:applied– application submitted, not yet assessedpre_feasibility– pre-feasibility study completed (GCAR milestone 1)reserved– capacity reserved pending construction readiness (GCAR milestone 2)allocated– capacity formally allocated (GCAR milestone 3)connected– physically connected and energizeddecommissioned– disconnected from the grid
gcar_milestonespecifically tracks the NERSA GCAR framework. It may overlap withconnection_statusbut provides the regulatory-specific reference.allocated_capacity_kwmay differ fromcapacity_kw(nameplate) if the grid allocation is constrained below nameplate rating.grid_access_queue_dateestablishes priority under the “first ready, first served” principle.
Example
{
"asset_id": "NCAPE-SOLAR-GEN-12",
"location": {
"latitude": -31.42,
"longitude": 19.08,
"timezone": "Africa/Johannesburg",
"country_code": "ZA",
"municipality_id": "za.nc.hantam",
"voltage_level": "MV",
"connection_point_id": "ESKOM-TX-KLEINZEE-33KV-F04",
"connection_status": "allocated",
"allocated_capacity_kw": 75000,
"connection_agreement_ref": "COSA-NTCSA-2025-NCape-0172",
"grid_access_queue_date": "2024-06-15",
"gcar_milestone": "capacity_allocation"
},
"capacity_kw": 80000,
"oem": "LONGi",
"asset_type": "solar_pv",
"commissioning_date": "2026-09-01"
}