Zuma reaffirms commitment to invest in renewables

The announcement that Eskom will sign the outstanding Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPP) sends a strong message to investors that the renewable energy industry is very much open for business. According to a Fin24 report, the SA Photovoltaic Industry Association (Sapvia) was reacting to President Jacob Zuma's State of the Nation Address last week. ‘We now hope that Eskom heeds the President’s commitment to finalise these agreements and the Minister moves ahead with the announcement of the expedited round,’ Sapvia said. It represents more than 170 players in the renewable energy sector. Zuma committed to SA’s continued investment in renewable energy as part of its overall energy mix. The report notes that Eskom has for months refused to issue final budget quotes to preferred bidders in Round 4 and the Round 4 extension of the REIPPP. The SA Renewable Energy Council (Sarec) also said it is pleased with the President’s clear support for the country’s Renewable Energy Procurement Programme (REI4P). ‘Some of the serious economic effects of the recent pause in SA’s renewable power procurement programme such as factory closures and job losses have caused serious hardship for this fledgling industry. We trust that there will now be rapid movement to resolve the impasse in line with the President’s directive,’ said Sarec chair Brenda Martin.