Name of the Project
Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) – Bid Window (BW) 5.

Location
South Africa.

Project Owner/s
Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE), previously the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy.

Project Description
The REIPPPP BW5 request for proposals (RFP) was released on April 12, 2021, and was the first bid window to be launched under the Ministerial Determination promulgated on September 25, 2022, under the Integrated Resource Plan 2019. 

On October 28, 2021, the Minister announced 25 preferred bidders to provide a total capacity of 2 583 MW. Of this, 1608 MW will be procured from 12 wind projects, and 975 MW from 13 solar PV projects.

Wind projects:

• Coleskop Wind Energy Facility (140 MW) – EDF Renewables;
• San Kraal Wind Energy Facility (140 MW) – EDF Renewables;
• Phezukomoya Wind Energy Facility (140 MW) – EDF Renewables;
• Brandvalley Wind Farm (140 MW), Western Cape – Red Rocket Energy;
• Rietkloof Wind Farm (140 MW), Western Cape – Red Rocket Energy; and
• Wolf Wind Farm (84 MW), Eastern Cape – Red Rocket Energy.

Solar PV projects:

• Grootfontein PV 1 (75 MW), Western Cape – Scatec;
• Grootfontein PV 2 (75 MW), Western Cape – Scatec;
• Grootfontein PV 3 (75 MW), Western Cape – Scatec;
• Grootspruit solar PV (75 MW), Free State – ENGIE South Africa and Pele Green Energy;
• Graspan solar PV (75 MW), Northern Cape – ENGIE South Africa and Pele Green Energy;
• Sannaspos solar PV (75 MW), Free State – Ikamva Consortium;
• Du Plessis Dam PV 1 (75 MW), Northern Cape – Total Mulilo;
• Kentani Solar Facility (75 MW), Free State – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Klipfontein Solar Facility (75 MW), Free State – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Klipfontein 2 Solar Facility (75 MW), Free State – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Leliehoek Solar Facility (75 MW), Free State – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Braklaagte Solar Facility (75 MW), Free State – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects; and
• Sonoblomo Solar Facility (75 MW), Free State – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects.

Fourteen projects failed to reach financial close.

Potential Job Creation
Not stated.

Capital Expenditure
The REIPPPP attracted investment of R34.3-billion.

Planned Start/End Date
The Coleskop Wind Energy Facility was commissioned as part of EDF power solutions’ 420 MW Koruson 1 cluster in February 2026.

The San Kraal Wind Energy Facility achieved commercial operation on December 11, 2025, and forms part of the now fully operational Koruson 1 cluster.

The Phezukomoya Wind Energy Facility was commissioned as part of the Koruson 1 cluster in February 2026.

The Brandvalley Wind Farm reached commercial operation in April 2025, and Rietkloof Wind Farm in April 2025.

Latest Developments
In May this year, the High Court ordered the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy to release tender documentation linked to BW 5 and 6 of the REIPPPP to local Solar PV module manufacturer/assembler ARTsolar, following local-content compliance allegations.

The ruling followed allegations that preferred bidders did not meet mandatory local-content requirements for PV modules, raising concerns about compliance with domestic industrialisation regulations and the protection of local manufacturing jobs, Green Building Africa reported at the time.

The records are expected to show how government managed the tender processes and whether exemptions from local-content obligations were granted. The outcome of the case could have serious consequences for South Africa’s renewable-energy sector. Should developers or government departments have failed to follow localisation rules, projects might face penalties, corrective action or even disqualification.

Projects that have come under the spotlight include:

• Beaufort West Wind Facility (140 MW), Western Cape – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Trakas Wind Facility (140 MW), Western Cape – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Sutherland Wind Facility (140 MW), Northern Cape – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Rietrug Wind Facility (140 MW), Northern Cape – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects;
• Waaihoek Wind Facility (140 MW), KwaZulu-Natal – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects; and
• Dwarsrug Wind Facility (124 MW), Northern Cape – Mainstream Renewable Power Projects.

Key Contracts, Suppliers and Consultants
None stated.

Contact Details for Project Information
DEE spokesperson, tel +27 82 084 5566 or email Tsakane.Khambane@dmre.gov.za.