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Suruhanjaya Tenaga Opens Door for Multi-Site Registration for Competent Persons

In response to a longstanding challenge in the solar industry, Suruhanjaya Tenaga (“ST”) has introduced an updated guideline that allow a competent person (often referred to as a Chargeman) to manage installations across multiple sites. This guideline is issued in line with Section 63(3) of the Electricity Regulations 1994 and follows significant industry feedback.

The One-Employer or One-Site Rule

Section 63(3) of the Electricity Regulations 1994 states that any person holding one or more Certificates of Competency shall not register these certificates with more than one employer or installation without written permission from ST. Consequently, the “one Chargeman per employer” or “one Chargeman per site” requirement has long been a pain point for the solar industry. This limitation, combined with the scarcity of available Chargemen and the associated costs, particularly affects small and medium-sized enterprises (“SMEs”) that typically do not have a dedicated Chargeman for their premise.

The New Guideline: A Response to Industry Feedback

In January 2025, ST updated the “Panduan Permohonan Orang Kompeten Mengendalikan Lebih Dari Satu Pepasangan” as a guide for applicants seeking approval to register a competent person for multiple sites. Although this guideline does not entirely resolve the industry’s challenges, it strikes a balance between operational needs and the rigorous safety standards upheld by ST.

Key Conditions for Multi-Site Registration

a. Main Conditions for Installation

1. The installation must be registered with ST under Section 21 of the Electricity Supply Act 1990. This includes: 
   • A standby generator set installed to supply power in the event of an interruption of the main power source from a licensee or authorized supply authority; or 
   • An installation receiving power from a licensee or authorized supply authority at a voltage of 11kV or higher.
2. The period for the installation must be current (as evidenced by Form B);
3. All installations must be owned by the same entity / owner;
4. Installations must be located within the same area or within a maximum radius of 2.5 km;
5. Each installation must be certified by a Visiting Engineer or Registered Electrical Supervisor with ST; and
6. Operation and maintenance must be performed by an electrical contractor company registered with ST.

b. Main Conditions for Competent Person

1. The competent person must be registered with ST, and the installation or employer they work for must comply with Regulation 63 of the Electricity Regulations 1994;
2. The competent person’s registration period for the installation must remain valid; and
3. The competent person must be able to reach any installation site from another site within 30 minutes.

c. Additional Requirements for Solar Installations (excluding Large Scale Solar (“LSS”)) on other Premises 

1. A maximum of 10 solar installations;
2. Each solar installation must include essential safety features, such as an Anti-Islanding Inverter for GCPV; and
3. Installations must be equipped with an online monitoring system accessible to the competent person.

d. Additional Requirements for Competent Person in relation to Solar Installations (excluding LSS) on other Premises

1. A single competent person may manage installations with a total maximum capacity of 3000 kWp.
2. The competent person is restricted to managing solar installations only.

e. Requirements for Combined Management of Multiple Electrical and Solar Installations (excluding LSS)

1. A competent person may manage no more than 3 electrical installations and 3 solar installations.
2. The competent person must oversee both the solar and electrical installations at the premises where the solar system is located.

The Application Process

Applications for multi-site registration must be submitted to ST along with the required checklist. Upon receipt of a complete set of documents, ST commits to processing the application within 21 working days. Detailed guidelines and application procedures can be found here. 

Implications for the Solar Industry

The updated ST guidelines permitting multi-site registration of a competent person carry several important implications for the solar industry:

1. Allowing one Chargeman to manage multiple installations under the same employer streamlines operations, reducing administrative burdens and mitigating the shortage of available qualified personnel;
2. SMEs, in particular, can benefit from lower staffing costs since they no longer need to hire a dedicated Chargeman for every individual site. This economic relief can improve project profitability and competitiveness;
3. Despite the increased flexibility, safety is not compromised. The guidelines require that installations be within a 2.5 km radius and that the competent person must be reachable within 30 minutes, ensuring prompt oversight and adherence to rigorous safety standards; and
4. The requirement that all installations be under the same employer may restrict companies with diversified ownership structures or those with sites spread over larger geographic areas. This could limit the full potential benefits for certain market players.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the ST guidelines offer a promising opportunity for the solar industry by enabling the multi-site registration of a competent person, thus alleviating the shortage of available Chargemen and reducing administrative costs. However, these benefits come with limitations, including the requirement that all installations be under the same employer, be located within a 2.5 km radius, and be accessible within 30 minutes. While these conditions help ensure safety and prompt oversight, they may restrict flexibility for installations with diverse ownership or those spread over larger areas. Ultimately, while the guideline represents a significant step forward, industry stakeholders must carefully navigate the regulatory requirements to fully capitalize on the increased operational flexibility.

This Article is written by Yeo Shu Pin (Partner) of Messrs. Shu Pin & Associates.

Disclaimer: Every attempt to ensure the accuracy and reliability of the information provided in this publication has been made. This publication does not constitute legal advice and is not intended to be used as a substitute for specific legal advice or opinions. Please contact the author(s) for a specific technical or legal advice on the information provided and related topics.