Share

Govt could announce more energy projects

Johannesburg - South Africa will announce a series of renewable energy projects that will add 1 000 megawatts of power into the country's constrained electricity grid, sources say.

The country is in the midst of a severe power crisis because of the government's failure to build any major new power stations since the end of apartheid in 1994.

It is also committed to introducing renewables into its mix of power generation, 95% of which is coal at the moment.

The so-called "Window 4" of its renewable energy bidding rounds has invited bids for a range of renewable projects such as wind, photovoltaic, biomass and small scale hydro-electric.

Feeding into the grid

A government source said: "On Monday we will reveal the names of the projects that are succesful and also the megawatt for each project and the size of the plants we are going to build."

Another non-government source familiar with the bidding said the following firms were strong contenders: Johannesburg-based BioTherm; Italy's Enel Green Power; Canada's Sky Power; European operator Mainstream Renewable Power and South Africa-based Mulilo.

All projects should be constructed within two years and by 2017 their first power should be feeding into the grid, the government official said.

Contracts were signed with 15 companies on Thursday to also provide 1 000 megawatts of renewable energy in the so-called "Window 3" round.

Turnaround strategy

South Africa invited bidders to submit proposals to build coal-fired power plants on Friday.

The power crisis has seen South Africa's rand plummet to a six year-low as investors worried about the certainty of electricity supply.

The government appointed Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa to oversee the turnaround strategy for struggling state utility Eskom, that only has enough funds to operate until January next year.

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
19.02
-0.6%
Rand - Pound
24.01
-0.5%
Rand - Euro
20.53
-0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.35
-0.0%
Rand - Yen
0.13
-0.6%
Platinum
900.40
+0.4%
Palladium
998.40
-0.3%
Gold
2,210.05
+0.7%
Silver
24.65
+0.0%
Brent Crude
86.09
-0.2%
Top 40
68,079
+0.6%
All Share
74,269
+0.5%
Resource 10
56,875
+2.2%
Industrial 25
103,593
+0.3%
Financial 15
16,463
-0.4%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders