South Africa seeks 1.8GW of solar PV in seventh REIPPPP bidding window

The South African Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) has launched the seventh bid window (BW7) under the country’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP), through which it is seeking bids to develop 5 GW of renewable capacity, including 3.2 GW of wind and 1.8 GW of solar PV.

BW7 is the first bidding round launched in line with the Ministerial Determination published by the South African Government in December 2022. The determination outlined an intention to procure 14,771 MW of new generation and storage capacity, including 3,940 MW of solar PV, 9,600 MW of wind and 1,231 MW of battery energy storage.

The BW7 request for proposals (RFP) follows the undersubscribed BW6, during which only 1 GW of solar PV were allocated. The department said that BW7 projects should be able to become operational in shorter timelines, given the urgency of the energy crisis in South Africa. Bids must be submitted before 30 April 2024.

The South African Cabinet has also recently approved a new Integrated Resource Plan, which maps out the country's future energy mix. The document has however not yet been made public.