The South African government is registering 102 proposals for the 5th round of its ambitious Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP).
The government is targeting 2,600MW of new clean energy capacity.
For the round, launched in March 2021 and closed on August 16th, 2021, the South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, expects 1,000 MW of solar power to be built, compared with 1,600 MW of new wind power capacity.
Of the 102 bids from independent power producers (IPPs), 63 bids are solar PV plants, and the rest (39) are onshore wind farms. The South African government plans to unveil the successful proposals in October or November 2021.
This is expected to accelerate with the closing of funding for the individual projects set for February or March 2022. Successful IPPs will then have 24 months to begin commercial operation of their facilities, which will be connected to the national grid, operated by Eskom, the state-owned utility.
Recent phases of REIPPP have been very successful with the construction of wind and solar farms in Africa’s most industrialised economy.
Since the programme began in 2011, over 4 201 MW of electricity generation capacity from 67 IPP projects has been connected to the national grid;
The South African government’s initiative is helping to diversify its electricity mix.
