• South Africa selects four new solar projects under REIPPPP bid window seven

• Red Rocket, Engie win 890-MW capacity worth about $955 million

• Awards support renewable expansion, reducing coal reliance

South Africa’s Minister of Electricity and Energy, Kgosientsho Ramokgopa, said on Monday, Dec. 15, that four new preferred bidders had been selected for solar photovoltaic projects under the seventh bid window of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). The decision followed value-for-money negotiations with eligible bidders.

Three of the projects were awarded to Red Rocket South Africa: the Rondebosch Solar Park, Springhaas Solar Facility 1 and Springhaas Solar Facility 6, all located in the Free State province. The fourth project, Corona Solar PV, is located in the North West province and is led by Engie. Total investment in the four projects is estimated at about $955 million.

The four selected projects have a combined capacity of 890 megawatts. They add to earlier awards made under the seventh bid window, which was initially designed to contract up to 5,000 MW of renewable generation capacity.

Launched in 2010, the REIPPPP is South Africa’s main mechanism for bringing private investment into renewable power generation. The first projects under the programme entered operation in 2012, marking the start of a gradual rollout of grid-connected solar and wind capacity.

According to official data available as of October 2025, a total of 6,559 MW is currently in commercial operation under the programme. The seventh bid window forms part of this trajectory, characterised by a steady increase in awarded capacity aimed at accelerating the decarbonisation of South Africa’s power mix, which remains heavily dependent on coal.

Abdoullah Diop