National PRIVATE-PUBLIC PARTNERSHIP Energy department to sign renewable energy agreements The R55.92bn Renewable Energy IPP agreements with Eskom endured years of Zuma-era delays BL PREMIUM

The Department of Energy will on Wednesday sign the R55.92bn Renewable Energy Independent Power Procurement Programme projects and power purchase agreements with Eskom. After years of dilly-dallying during former president Jacob Zuma’s era and court action by the National Union of Metalworkers of SA (Numsa), the projects will now go ahead, bringing certainty in the sector. Numsa was worried that licensing the independent producers could result in significant job losses. "With this important milestone, government reconfirms its commitment not only to renewable energy but also to a solid partnership with the private sector as it pursues energy’s core position in the South African economy," the department said. "This will bring much needed policy and regulatory certainty." Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said that although the matter was in the hands of the government, the power utility was "ready to sign". The 27 projects are expected to create more than 61,600 jobs over the next two to...