Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has proposed a “mega bid window” for the procurement of renewable energy to curb rolling blackouts, even as previous plans to build clean power generation have been delayed.recommended buying a minimum of 15GW of energy, in addition to other measures that go beyond a seventh round of auctions for renewable-power supply that’s already planned.
The plan to acquire renewable energy was presented to the governing ANC’s highest decision-making body over the weekend. It adds to other measures he’s proposed to end daily blackouts that are hobbling economic growth, including the use of diesel turbines to generate emergency power.The request for a mega bid window would be made to the department of mineral resources & energy, led by minister Gwede Mantashe, according to the presentation.
Ramokgopa’s recommendations to the ANC’s national executive committee also called for expediting the financial close of remaining projects from bid windows 5 and 6 of the renewable energy programme “and to urgently finalise” the release of further bid windows for solar, wind, battery storage and gas by the end of May 2023, according to the presentation.Bid window 7 should be released next month for 5GW of solar and wind technologies where grid connections are available, the presentation showed.