{"id":1297,"date":"2026-06-04T11:40:02","date_gmt":"2026-06-04T11:40:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/?page_id=1297"},"modified":"2026-07-06T07:27:05","modified_gmt":"2026-07-06T07:27:05","slug":"licensing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/licensing\/","title":{"rendered":"Licensing"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"1297\" class=\"elementor elementor-1297\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bdd1512 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"bdd1512\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1f2f2c elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"b1f2f2c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Licensing &amp; Authorisation Overview<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6d375e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6d375e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The Utilities Regulatory Commission (URC) is the authoritative body responsible for issuing licences to entities involved in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply within Seychelles. This licensing framework ensures that all operators adhere to established technical, financial, and environmental standards, aligning with the nation&#8217;s energy objectives.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-129da89 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"129da89\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-75527bb elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"75527bb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Licence Exemptions<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-92594c6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"92594c6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Not all electricity generation activities require a licence. Under <strong>Section 21 of the Electricity Act, 2023<\/strong>, certain individuals or entities may be exempted from the obligation to obtain a generation licence, provided specific conditions are met.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb59e49 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"eb59e49\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7af1c12 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"7af1c12\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Who Is Exempt?<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d9f8556 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"d9f8556\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>You do not need a generation licence if you fall into any of the following categories:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-57fda6e e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"57fda6e\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-93c0290 elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"93c0290\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div style=\"display:grid;grid-template-columns:1fr 1fr 1fr;gap:16px;\">\n\n  <div style=\"background:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #4A148C;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;\">\n    <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <div style=\"background:#4A148C;color:#fff;border-radius:50%;width:36px;height:36px;min-width:36px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:800;flex-shrink:0;\">1<\/div>\n      <span style=\"font-size:15px;font-weight:700;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:1.3;\">Backup Self-Generation<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <p style=\"color:#555;font-size:14px;line-height:1.75;margin:0;\">Generating electricity exclusively for own use when the main network cannot supply power (e.g. bad weather or other interruptions).<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #4A148C;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;\">\n    <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <div style=\"background:#4A148C;color:#fff;border-radius:50%;width:36px;height:36px;min-width:36px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:800;flex-shrink:0;\">2<\/div>\n      <span style=\"font-size:15px;font-weight:700;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:1.3;\">Small-Scale Self-Generation (\u2264 500 kW)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <p style=\"color:#555;font-size:14px;line-height:1.75;margin:0;\">Generating only for own consumption on your premises with capacity not exceeding 500 kW.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #4A148C;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;\">\n    <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <div style=\"background:#4A148C;color:#fff;border-radius:50%;width:36px;height:36px;min-width:36px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:800;flex-shrink:0;\">3<\/div>\n      <span style=\"font-size:15px;font-weight:700;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:1.3;\">Off-Grid Generation<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <p style=\"color:#555;font-size:14px;line-height:1.75;margin:0;\">Generating for own use in an area not served by a licensed electricity network.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #4A148C;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;\">\n    <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <div style=\"background:#4A148C;color:#fff;border-radius:50%;width:36px;height:36px;min-width:36px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:800;flex-shrink:0;\">4<\/div>\n      <span style=\"font-size:15px;font-weight:700;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:1.3;\">Generation with Sale to Grid (\u2264 500 kW)<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <p style=\"color:#555;font-size:14px;line-height:1.75;margin:0;\">Generating for own use and selling excess to the network under a URC-approved net metering\/billing scheme or formal agreement.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div style=\"background:#FFFFFF;border:1px solid #4A148C;border-radius:12px;padding:20px;\">\n    <div style=\"display:flex;align-items:center;gap:12px;margin-bottom:12px;\">\n      <div style=\"background:#4A148C;color:#fff;border-radius:50%;width:36px;height:36px;min-width:36px;display:flex;align-items:center;justify-content:center;font-size:15px;font-weight:800;flex-shrink:0;\">5<\/div>\n      <span style=\"font-size:15px;font-weight:700;color:#2D2D2D;line-height:1.3;\">Research and Pilot Project<\/span>\n    <\/div>\n    <p style=\"color:#555;font-size:14px;line-height:1.75;margin:0;\">Generation as part of a URC-authorised research, development, or pilot project, or via a formal agreement with the network licensee.<\/p>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-acd46dd e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"acd46dd\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-0033478 e-flex e-con-boxed e-con e-child\" data-id=\"0033478\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"e-con-inner\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-89863c5 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"89863c5\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Authorisation Still Required<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3fddfc6 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3fddfc6\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Even if you qualify for an exemption, you <strong>must still apply for an authorisation<\/strong> from the URC. This process ensures your system meets technical, environmental, and safety standards before commencing operations.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1c5b433 e-con-full e-flex e-con e-parent\" data-id=\"1c5b433\" data-element_type=\"container\" data-e-type=\"container\" data-settings=\"{&quot;background_background&quot;:&quot;classic&quot;}\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3b15f25 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"3b15f25\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">How to Apply for a Licence<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-22eaec1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"22eaec1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The licensing process ensures that only qualified and compliant entities are authorised by the Commission to operate within the electricity sector in accordance with national laws and standards.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9b7bc4b elementor-widget elementor-widget-html\" data-id=\"9b7bc4b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"html.default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\n<style>\n.urc-steps-grid {\n    display: grid;\n    grid-template-columns: 1fr 40px 1fr 40px 1fr;\n    gap: 0;\n    align-items: start;\n    margin-top: 24px;\n}\n.urc-step {\n    display: flex;\n    flex-direction: column;\n    align-items: center;\n    text-align: center;\n    padding: 0 8px 28px 8px;\n}\n.urc-step-circle {\n    background: #4A148C;\n    color: #fff;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    width: 46px;\n    height: 46px;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: center;\n    justify-content: center;\n    font-size: 18px;\n    font-weight: 800;\n    margin-bottom: 12px;\n    box-shadow: 0 0 0 4px #D8C4F0;\n    flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.urc-step-title {\n    font-size: 17px;\n    font-weight: 700;\n    color: #2D2D2D;\n    margin-bottom: 8px;\n    line-height: 1.3;\n}\n.urc-step-body {\n    font-size: 15px;\n    color: #555;\n    line-height: 1.55;\n    margin: 0;\n    text-align: left;\n    width: 100%;\n}\n.urc-step-body ul {\n    margin: 6px 0 0 0;\n    padding-left: 0;\n    list-style: none;\n}\n.urc-step-body ul li {\n    margin-bottom: 5px;\n    font-size: 15px;\n    color: #444;\n    line-height: 1.5;\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: flex-start;\n    gap: 6px;\n}\n.urc-step-body ul li::before {\n    content: '';\n    display: inline-block;\n    width: 6px;\n    height: 6px;\n    background: #4A148C;\n    border-radius: 50%;\n    margin-top: 5px;\n    flex-shrink: 0;\n}\n.urc-arrow {\n    display: flex;\n    align-items: flex-start;\n    justify-content: center;\n    padding-top: 6px;\n    line-height: 46px;\n}\n.urc-arrow svg {\n    width: 24px;\n    height: 24px;\n    fill: none;\n    stroke: #4A148C;\n    stroke-width: 2.5;\n    stroke-linecap: round;\n    stroke-linejoin: round;\n}\n.urc-row-divider {\n    grid-column: 1 \/ -1;\n    height: 1px;\n    background: #D8C4F0;\n    margin: 0 0 24px 0;\n}\n<\/style>\n\n<div class=\"urc-steps-grid\">\n\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">1<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Application Submission<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">Submit a completed licence application using the prescribed forms, along with all required supporting documents, such as:\n      <ul>\n        <li><span>Technical qualifications<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span>Financial statements<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span>Environmental compliance documents<\/span><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-arrow\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">2<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Initial Screening<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">The Commission reviews the application for completeness and issues an acknowledgment of receipt to the applicant.<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-arrow\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">3<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Detailed Evaluation<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">The Commission conducts a thorough review, including:\n      <ul>\n        <li><span><strong>Technical Assessment<\/strong> \u2013 infrastructure, technology, and operational capability<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span><strong>Financial Assessment<\/strong> \u2013 solvency and financial sustainability<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span><strong>Regulatory Compliance<\/strong> \u2013 safety, environmental, and legal checks<\/span><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"urc-row-divider\"><\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">4<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Stakeholder Consultation<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">Where applicable, the Commission will:\n      <ul>\n        <li><span>Notify affected stakeholders (e.g., utilities, local authorities, public)<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span>Collect feedback through notices or hearings<\/span><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-arrow\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">5<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Site Visit or Inspection<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">The Commission may conduct on-site inspections to verify claims made in the application.<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-arrow\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">6<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Decision Making<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">A licensing report is prepared based on all findings and submitted to the Board of Commissioners for a final decision.<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"urc-row-divider\"><\/div>\n\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">7<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Notification of Decision<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">The Commission will notify the applicant in writing with:\n      <ul>\n        <li><span>The approval or denial of the licence<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span>Any conditions attached or reasons for rejection<\/span><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-arrow\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">8<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Issuance of Licence<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">If approved, the licence is issued with:\n      <ul>\n        <li><span>Validity period<\/span><\/li>\n        <li><span>Terms and conditions for operation<\/span><\/li>\n      <\/ul>\n    <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-arrow\"><svg viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\"><path d=\"M5 12h14M13 6l6 6-6 6\"\/><\/svg><\/div>\n  <div class=\"urc-step\">\n    <div class=\"urc-step-circle\">9<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-title\">Ongoing Monitoring<\/div>\n    <div class=\"urc-step-body\">The Commission will implement periodic reporting and compliance audits to ensure the licensee adheres to all obligations.<\/div>\n  <\/div>\n\n<\/div>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Licensing &amp; Authorisation Overview The Utilities Regulatory Commission (URC) is the authoritative body responsible for issuing licences to entities involved in electricity generation, transmission, distribution, and supply within Seychelles. This [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_eb_attr":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1297","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1297","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1297"}],"version-history":[{"count":69,"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1297\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1566,"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1297\/revisions\/1566"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/switch.sc\/dev\/urc\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1297"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}