February 5, 2018
In
Press 2018, Press Releases
Minister Gives Eskom Green Light to Sign PPAs
SAWEA has responded to the Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, giving Eskom the green light to sign the outstanding Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with renewable power producers.
The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) is relieved that the 27 renewable energy projects, which include wind, solar PV and CSP should soon be able to proceed toward construction so that South Africa’s internationally acclaimed Renewable Energy Independent Power Procurement Programme (REI4P) can continue to deliver on-budget renewable power along with social and economic benefits in rural areas.
“We are sure that the many rural communities surrounding prospective wind farms who have been waiting for the development benefits associated with power plant construction, and the thousands of South Africans employed by the Industry are certain to be as relieved as we are,” commented Brenda Martin, CEO of SAWEA.
Over the past two years, the SA renewable energy industry has operated with extensive uncertainty. With this final step now achieved, we hope that the country’s renewable procurement programme will soon be back on track so that the many benefits to rural communities can be realised, much-needed jobs can be created, and so that investor confidence can be regained.
Minister Brown’s approval is the last step in the process and all that is now required is for all affected parties to set a mutually suitable date for signing the 27 power purchase agreements.
Explaining the process, Martin said, “Over the next few weeks, each party will need to ensure that their documentation is current. Once PPAs are signed, IPPs will move ahead according to their implementation agreements’ timelines.”
The last set of winning bids were announced in 2015. The task of getting the SA renewables programme back on track will be a challenge for all involved. SAWEA looks forward to working with government, civil society and labour to ensure that the programme makes an optimal contribution to South Africa’s economic, social and environmental security as the country prepares for the necessary energy transition.
INDUSTRY ACHEIVEMENTS TODATE:
Up until the time of the impasse, the REI4P was internally acclaimed and regarded as one of the most ambitious and successful Public-Private-Partnership that our country has ever undertaken. It has resulted in:
- A 59% decline in the actual average tariffs for wind energy from the first bidding window in 2011 (2011 to 2015). Reasons for price decline: drop of technological component prices; technological advancements in wind harvesting; strong competition for low wind energy costs by IPPs.
- The 2016 tariff for wind energy is almost 40% cheaper than the one for baseload coal.
- The price assumptions applied in the IRP 2016 are higher than actual REI4P tariffs.
- REI4P has resulted in over R20 billion being committed by IPPs over 20 years to socio-economic development, with a strong focus on education, health, skills dvelpment, predominantly within a 50km radius of the power plants.
Sorry, the comment form is closed at this time.