South Africa To Launch New RE Bid Round

• South Africa is set to launch a new bid round for renewable energy worth 1.8 GW in November 2018
• This will comprise bid window (BW) 5 of theRenewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP)
• Making the announcement, Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe said he expects these projects to bring in 40 billion to 50 billion ZAR ($3.19 billion to 3.98 billion) to the country

South Africa's Minister of Energy Jeff Radebe has announced a new bid round for 1.8 GW renewable energy capacity, which will be launched by the government in November 2018. This will be bid window (BW) 5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and incorporate the same technologies as the expedited bid window, according to the minister.

These projects could bring another 40 billion to 50 billion ZAR ($3.19 billion to 3.98 billion) to the country, said Radebe while speaking at the stakeholder engagement meeting on June 1, 2018. He pointed out that through these measures, the intention is to enhance local manufacturing provide opportunities for black industrialists, encourage the participation of women-owned businesses, development of black independent power producersand encourage youth.

South Africa has procured 6.4 GW of renewable energy capacity from bid windows 1 to 4 and 1S2 (smalls programme).

Between 2014 and 2016, the REIPPPP helped the government secure investments of $10.8 billion into the renewables sector of the country, according to Radebe. The 27 renewable energy projects for which the much-delayed PPAs were signed in April 2018 secured 56 billion ZAR ($4.71 billion).

Radebe had hinted back then to the idea of launching another round for 1.8 GW that could contribute to the creation of some 80,000 jobs (see South Africa Signs Much Delayed RE PPAs).