The South African Wind Energy Association (SAWEA) welcomes the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy’s (DMRE’s) amendment of its request for proposals (RFP) for Bid Window 6 (BW 6) of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).

The amended REIPPPP BW 6 RFP, which was released on July 7, doubled the wind energy allocation to 3 200 MW for the bid window, thereby making up the majority of the increased allocation of 4 200 MW across all technologies.

SAWEA also welcomes the extended bid submission date, which is now set for October 3, as it opens the process to new bidders and will help ensure more participation by the wind sector.

“Furthermore, we urge the National Energy Regulator of South Africa’s concurrence with the DMRE Minister to determine the remainder of the Integrated Resource Plan of 2019 allocation, be concluded with urgency, to ensure that the President’s directive on new generation is met,” says SAWEA CEO Niveshen Govender.

Speaking on behalf of its members, SAWEA says in a statement that it is certain the wind sector will respond effectively to the call for this additional generation capacity, which will further enable it to play a key role in the country’s energy mix, thereby creating economic value and impact.

In line with the National Development Plan, SAWEA says the REIPPPP continues to deliver more than clean power generation, as it is designed to stimulate investment and deliver economic and socioeconomic benefits for the country.

SAWEA also states that the wind energy industry remains confident in its ability to build new renewable energy generation capacity while meeting economic development objectives, and reiterates that it has no doubt that the sector will respond positively.

The association’s engagements with the DMRE, the Department of Trade, Industry and Competition, and the other key sector stakeholders, have strategically mapped the way forward to deliver on the just energy transition mandate, according to SAWEA.