IPPs will add power to SA’s grid

Share this article: Share Tweet Share Share Share Email Share

Cape Town - South Africa’s Energy Department approved bids from 13 independent power producers (IPPs) who, combined, are expected to add 1 121 megawatts of electricity to the country’s power grid, Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson announced on Thursday. Addressing journalists in Cape Town, Joemat-Pettersson said the department issued confirmation letters to the bidders for the fourth bid submission phase of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (IPPPP). “This has been an extremely successful bidding phase. On April 11, we issued confirmation to another 13 preferred bidders,” said Joemat-Pettersson. The 13 preferred bidders were: * Ngodwana Energy Project (140 MW)

* Roggeveld Wind Farm (140 MW)

* The Karusa Wind Farm (140 MW)

* The Nxuba Wind Farm (139 MW)

* Golden Valley Wind (117 MW)

* Oyster Bay Wind Farm (140 MW)

* Sirius Solar PV Project One (75 MW)

* Droogfontein 2 Solar (75 MW)

* Dyason’s Klip 1 (75 MW)

* Dyason’s Klip 2 (75 MW)

* Konkoonsies II Solar Facility (75 MW)

* Aggeneys Solar Project (40 MW)

* Kruisvallei Hydro (5 MW)

When completed, these projects would contribute 1 121 MW to the national grid and would bring the department’s total projects to 79.

Joemat-Pettersson confirmed that a treaty between South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) for the importing of hydroelectricity came into effect last month.

“It came into force 21 March 2015 and the treaty obliges South Africa to negotiate an off-take agreement for the purchase of 2 500 MW of electricity generated,” said Joemat-Pettersson.

Generation would happen from the DRC’s Inga phase 3 Low Head project.

“I can confirm that the respective delegations from South Africa and the DRC are meeting in Pretoria this week to structure, negotiate, and implement project agreements to give effect to the treaty,” she said.

ANA