South Africa government has revealed the eight preferred bidders for the seventh bid window of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and the second bid window of the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESIPPPP).
This announcement was made by the country’s minister of electricity and energy, Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa during the year’s final Energy Action Plan briefing in Tshwane.
According to reports by Solarquarter, Ramokgopa highlighted the importance of this milestone, noting, “Nearly 300 days of uninterrupted power supply in 2024 marks the longest period without load shedding in five years. Our goal is to make uninterrupted power supply a standard, not an exception.”
Renewable energy initiatives
The solar projects selected under Bid Window 7 will add 1,760 Megawatts (MW) to the national grid with an investment of R31.4 billion.
These projects, located in Mpumalanga, Limpopo, Free State, and North West, are projected to create 6,971 jobs.
Ramokgopa emphasized the emphasis on local development, stating, “38.8% of the budget, equivalent to R7.8 billion, will be dedicated to local content during the construction phase.”
Furthermore, under the second bid window of BESIPPPP, 615 MW of battery storage capacity will be distributed across eight sites in North West, Gauteng, and Free State. This initiative, valued at R12.8 billion, is expected to generate 1,570 jobs during construction and operations.
Environmental and legislative progress
Speaking further, Ramokgopa underscored the environmental benefits of reducing coal dependency.
He remarked that the projects will not only “improve air quality” but also significantly reduce South Africa’s carbon dioxide emissions, aligning with global climate change mitigation efforts.
Further legislative support comes with the Electricity Regulation Act Amendment, effective January 1, 2025. This amendment will streamline the procurement of up to 5,000 MW of renewable energy capacity, signaling a new era for South Africa’s energy sector.
The projects are expected to reach commercial close within six months.
“By advancing solar and battery storage technologies, South Africa is not only securing its energy future but also establishing itself as a leader in renewable energy on the African continent,” he added.
