The Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) has approved loans amounting to R9.6-billion for 14 renewable-energy projects with a combined capacity of 896.5 MW, the development finance institution reported on Monday.

These projects, which form part of the 28 successful preferred bidders of the first bid window for the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Programme (REIPPP), were solar focused, with the exception of one wind energy project.

The DBSA approved loans for: De Aar solar photovoltaic (PV) (48.3 MW), Droogfontein solar PV (48.3 MW), Abengoa KaXu concentrated solar power (CSP)(100 MW), Jeffrey’s Bay wind project (133.9 MW), Bokpoort CSP (75 MW), Abengoa Khi CSP (50 MW), Herbert solar PV (20 MW), Scatec solar PV (75 MW), Greefspan solar PV (10 MW), Lesedi solar PV (75 MW), Letsatsi solar PV (75 MW), Touwsrivier CSP (36 MW), Kathu solar PV (75 MW) and Kalahari CSP (75 MW).

The 896.5 MW of capacity represents about 24% of the 3 725 MW South Africa is procuring under the REIPPP.

DBSA investments group executive TP Nchocho said the DBSA believed its investment in the local power generation and transmission infrastructure would stimulate the development of the so-called green economy, which was a key government priority in creating jobs.

Further, he pointed out that these projects were subjected to the bank’s environmental appraisal guidelines to ascertain their impact towards the environment.

“After a thorough environmental analysis conducted on these projects, we are confident that investment in the solar energy programme would have less adverse impact on climate change and the environment”, Nchocho added.

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