OVERVIEW
Renewable energy South Africa’s renewable energy industry holds enormous potential for further development.
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enewable energy holds the promise for a brighter future The ten preferred bidders, as not only in South Africa, but Africa as a whole. In this announced by the Minister, are context South Africa is well positioned to lead the con- Adams Solar PV Project (Pty) tinent forward, thanks to its internationally acclaimed Ltd, Bellatrix Solar PV Project, Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procument Du Plessis Solar PV4, Steynsrus (REIPPP) framework, under which “bidding windows” offer renew- PV2, Heuningspruit PV1, able energy power suppliers the opportunity to bid for projects Steynsrus PV1, Klawer Wind that, once complete, feed into the national grid and contribute Farm, Hopefield Community to South Africa’s energy security. REIPP has recently closed its Wind Farm, George Small Scale fourth bidding window, testimony to the high repute in which the Biomass to Energy and Busby process is held. The fact is that the framework offers investors Renewables (Biomass). the reassurance of a robust business-friendly model, ensuring the sustainability of the sector as a whole.
The 13 preferred bidders in the renewable energy independent power producer procurement programme’s Bid Window 4 were announced in June. The 13 projects are tipped to supply an additional 1084MW of electricity to the national grid. To date, more than 6 000MW of electricity has been procured from 37 renewable energy independent power producers. Of course, South Africa’s renewable programme is not only about electricity but, also broader empowerment. The contribution of REIPPP projects to the broader national development objectives, including economic development, social upliftment, job creation, broad based economic empowerment and development of small and women owned vendors, is a hallmark of the programme. In addition to REIPP there is the Department of Energy’s Small Projects Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers (IPPs) Programme. Ten winners were announced this year at the South African International Renewable Energy Conference (SAIREC) 2015. The programme is targeted at independent power producers that can roll-out projects with the capacity to produce between one and five Megawatts of energy. This amounts to creating opportunities for small and medium sized entrepreneurs in the renewable energy programme. The intention of the programme is to assist small developers to gain assistance in project development as well as in raising the necessary funding projects of this nature. SOUTH AFRICAN BUSINESS 2016
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