The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) is a regulatory authority established as a juristic person in terms of Section 3 of the National Energy Regulator Act, 2004 (Act No. 40 of 2004). NERSA’s mandate is to regulate the electricity, piped-gas and petroleum pipelines industries in terms of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006), Gas Act, 2001 (Act No. 48 of 2001) and Petroleum Pipelines Act, 2003 (Act No. 60 of 2003).

The structure of the Energy Regulator consists of nine members, five of whom are part-time and four are full-time, including the Chief Executive Office (CEO). The Energy Regulator is supported by personnel under the direction of the CEO.

The mandate of NERSA is derived from legislation governing and prescribing the role and functions of the Regulator.