The South African government is seeking independent power producers to build and operate floating or ground-mounted photovoltaic projects at selected government water plant facilities or dams. These projects should run for 20 years.
Photovoltaic projects in the Northern Cape, South Africa. Gransolar South Africa's Ministry of Water and health has sent a letter of intent to independent power producers (IPPs) to design, build, finance and operate renewable energy projects in 19 locations, including government water plant buildings and dams.
Acceptable renewable energy projects are floating or ground-mounted photovoltaic, hydroelectric and wind projects. These projects can be either standalone or connected to the Internet. The tender documents show that the sector“Intends to purchase new generation capacity from IPP to reduce rising energy costs and reliance on grid power”.
Potential suppliers have until April 18 to submit offers. Successful projects should be in operation for 20 years. In December, South Africa's Eskom launched a tender for a 36.5 MW/146 MWh power generation and storage project. The country recently launched a rooftop solar tax rebate scheme in an attempt to address the serious load-reduction challenge it has been facing.