Pretoria - The contribution of independent power producers under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP) is expected to grow to about 7 000 MW.
“The energy contribution of independent power producers is expected to grow to approximately 7 000 MW with the first 47 renewable energy independent power producers fully operational by mid-2016. Private investment in the programme currently exceeds R194 billion,” said Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson on Wednesday.
Tabling the department’s Budget Vote, in Parliament, Minister Joemat-Pettersson said the programme has become one of the world’s most progressive and successful alternative energy programmes.
Since their introduction, solar, wind, biomass, small hydro and landfill gas power plants have been going up across the country, feeding increasing numbers of clean energy into the national grid.
As at December 2015, the department had procured 6 377 MW of renewable energy and has already connected 44 projects with a capacity of 2 021 MW to the national grid, with many more under construction.
Bids in terms of the Bid Window 4 Expedited Round, totalling an additional 1800 megawatt are currently under evaluation with the department set to announce preferred bidders in the second quarter of the financial year.
Bid Window 4, including the investments made though the small projects programme, will increase the investment amount to more than R255 Billion, said the Minister.
The department also remains on track to meet the national commitment to transition to a low carbon economy with the target of 17 800 MW of renewable energy power by 2030.
“The current renewable energy operational portfolio is contributing an increasing percentage of the buffer between the available supply and projected demand for electricity.”