Solar PV allocation under South Africa’s REIPPPP Bid Window 7 has been increased by 890 MW, taking the total to 3.94 GW
The additional capacity comes from reallocating unused onshore wind capacity to solar projects; the 4 new projects are worth ZAR 16 billion
Additional projects include an ENGIE and 3 Red Rocket South Africa projects in the North West and Free State regions
South Africa’s Ministry of Electricity and Energy has increased the solar PV allocation under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme Bid Window 7 (REIPPPP BW7) by 890 MW. This raises the total awarded solar capacity in the round to 3.94 GW across 18 IPP projects.
Under REIPPPP BW7, concluded a year back in December 2024, a total of 8 projects with a combined 1.76 GW solar PV capacity were selected as preferred bidders. Out of the 5 GW renewable energy capacity available under this tender, onshore wind did not secure any (see Solar Wins South Africa’s REIPPPP 7 Renewable Energy Auction).
The government then planned to reallocate some onshore wind capacity to eligible solar PV projects. In July 2025, it approved the addition of 6 solar projects with 1.29 GW capacity to solar PV allocation under REIPPPP 7 using unused onshore wind capacity. Now, it has added another 890 MW by reallocating onshore wind capacity to solar.
Selected projects that make up 890 MW capacity include the 240 MW Rondebosch Solar Park, the 240 MW Springhaas Solar Facility 1, and the 170 MW Springhaas Solar Facility 6 – all located in Free State, and developed by Red Rocket South Africa. ENGIE’s 240 MW Corona Solar Project in the North West has also made the cut.
The total investment from the additional 4 solar projects is ZAR 16 billion and will create a total of 4,134 job opportunities for South African citizens. They have committed to allocating 41% of total project costs to local content.
Announcing the addition of these projects to REIPPPP 7, Electricity and Energy Minister Dr. Kgosientsho Ramokgopa shared that in 2025-2026, 8 IPP projects were commissioned, totaling 800 MW capacity. All of these projects were produced under REIPPPP BW5 (see South Africa Concludes REIPPPP Round 5).
An additional 1.61 GW is under construction and expected to be commissioned during 2026 and 2027. The minister also added that since the inception of the Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (IPPPP) in 2010, the country has seen the commissioning of 8.16 GW of contracted capacity.
South Africa targets adding over 105 GW of new electricity generation capacity, including 25 GW of solar PV and 34 GW of wind energy, under its Integrated Resource Plan 2025 between 2025 and 2039. The plan also includes 16 GW of distributed generation and 8.5 GW of energy storage (see South Africa Targets 25 GW Solar PV By 2039 Under IRP 2025).
As of the end of 2024, South Africa’s cumulative installed solar PV capacity had reached 8.46 GW, according to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
