SAWEA – the South African Wind Energy Association – has confirmed that the Independent Power Producers Office (IPPO) will join Windaba 2025 with a senior delegation, engaging on solutions to unlock grid capacity, accelerate the rollout of renewable energy, and strengthen public procurement to meet the demands of South Africa’s evolving energy mix. Windaba 2025 will run 21 to 23 October at the CTICC in Cape Town.
For the IPPO this year marks 15 years of impact through the flagship Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). Now it steps forward into an expanded role at a pivotal moment in South Africa’s energy transition.
From its inception, the REIPPPP provided the foundation of the country’s energy procurement strategy, securing over 7 700 megawatts (MW) of renewable power, unlocking R85.3 billion in local content investment, creating over 96 637 job years, and driving around R4.5 billion in socio-economic and enterprise development. Through its evolving mandate, the IPPO remains central to delivering procurement solutions that balance urgent electricity needs with far-reaching socio-economic transformation.
Driven by the need to address a number of process and structural inefficiencies confronting the REIPPPP and align with changing market dynamics, the IPPO is working with the Department of Electricity and Energy (DEE) to review programme. This review, together with the concurrent process of designing the next Bid Window, is aimed at improving the agility of the programme in supporting sufficient generation capacity; aligning it with related frameworks such as the Integrated Resource Plan, IRP, and the Transmission Development Plan, TDP; ensuring value for money; and further strengthening the programme’s contribution to localisation, industrialisation, and socio-economic imperatives. The review process should see a revised and sustainable REIPPPP that supports long-term market confidence and responds to changing industry and market conditions.
For the wind energy industry, the review process is welcomed one of a suite of reform measures aimed at streamlining the country’s electricity supply industry. Systemic design flaws in REIPPPP processes and wider sector challenges were accentuated when there were no allocations for wind energy projects in Bid Windows 6 and 7 and several approved bid projects failed to reach financial close. These challenges include limited grid access, escalating bid preparation costs, prolonged procurement timelines, regulatory misalignments, and financing hurdles. The wind industry stands ready to work alongside the IPPO to shape a future-fit procurement framework that enables delivery at scale.
With the new draft IRP setting ambitious renewable energy targets, reforms to REIPPPP are expected to create the foundation for faster, more efficient procurement processes, ensuring future bid windows can meet South Africa’s growing demand.
Looking ahead, the IPPO’s role extends beyond generation procurement. The launch of the first bid window for the Independent Transmission Projects (ITPs) marks a major shift towards strengthening and expanding the national transmission network. This positions the IPPO not only as a driver of new generation capacity but also as a key player in delivering the infrastructure needed to integrate renewable energy into the grid.
Recognising the transformative potential of ITPs in unlocking grid capacity, the IPPO will join Windaba 2025 to contribute to this year’s theme: ‘Breaking the Gridlock. Wire for Growth’.
In a government panel that involved the IPPO alongside NERSA, the NTCSA, Eskom and the Department of Electricity & Energy, Precious Edward, Head of the IPP Office, noted: “Our journey over the past 15 years has shown that procurement can deliver more than power – it can drive industrialisation, jobs, and transformation. As we reform the REIPPPP and expand into transmission, we are laying the foundation for a fit-for-purpose programme that will secure South Africa’s diverse energy future and ensure communities benefit along the way.”
“The REIPPPP reforms come at a critical time. To achieve the wind targets in the draft IRP, South Africa needs a procurement framework that can move at pace, backed by transmission development. The IPP Office’s expanded role is essential to making this a reality,” adds Niveshen Govender, CEO of SAWEA.
The IPPO and the wind industry are aligned in their commitment to driving procurement reforms, unlocking grid solutions, and accelerating renewable energy deployment. Drawing on lessons from the past 15 years, this partnership is firmly focused on the future – building frameworks that sustain renewable energy growth, expand grid capacity, and ensure South Africa’s just energy transition delivers lasting impact that benefits all.
For more information visit: https://sawea.org.za/
For more on Windaba 2025 visit: https://www.windaba.co.za/
