Skip to content
Earth Energy Log
Subscribe
solarwindpolicy

South Africa REIPPPP 2026: post-loadshedding renewable acceleration + JETP implementation

South Africa's renewable energy capacity reached approximately 11 GW by Q1 2026 after the 2023-2024 power crisis (loadshedding) catalyzed regulatory reform. REIPPPP Round 7 awarded 3.5 GW in 2025; Round 8 expected H2 2026. JETP $8.5B implementation accelerating coal phase-out. Private generation deregulation enabling corporate procurement.

By Meera Iyer··3 min read

In 50 words: South Africa's renewable capacity reached ~11 GW by Q1 2026 after the 2023-2024 power crisis catalyzed regulatory reform. REIPPPP Round 7 awarded 3.5 GW in 2025; Round 8 expected H2 2026. JETP $8.5B implementation accelerating coal phase-out. Private generation deregulation enabling corporate procurement.

Where South Africa stands

Cumulative installed renewable capacity Q1 2026:

  • Utility-scale solar: 6 GW
  • Onshore wind: 3.5 GW
  • CSP (concentrated solar): 600 MW (legacy)
  • Other (bioenergy, small renewable): 1 GW
  • Total renewable: ~11 GW

South Africa's total generation capacity: ~52 GW (still ~70% coal-fired through Eskom).

The 2023-2024 power crisis as catalyst

South Africa experienced severe rolling blackouts ("loadshedding") in 2022-2024, peaking at 12+ hours/day in some periods. The crisis was driven by:

  • Eskom (state utility) aging coal fleet underperforming
  • Decade of underinvestment in new generation
  • Maintenance backlog
  • Corruption allegations + structural problems

The political and economic damage forced rapid policy reform:

Private generation deregulation

  • Previous 100 MW cap on private generation removed in 2022
  • Massive new corporate renewable PPAs signed
  • Industrial customers (mining, manufacturing) building captive renewable

REIPPPP acceleration

  • Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) rounds 6-7 awarded substantial capacity
  • Tariffs at competitive levels (R0.50-R0.70/kWh range)

Eskom restructuring

  • Generation, transmission, distribution being separated
  • Independent transmission company being established

REIPPPP rounds

| Round | Year | Awarded capacity | Status | |---|---|---|---| | Rounds 1-5 | 2011-2018 | ~6.5 GW | Mostly operational | | Round 6 | 2023 | 1.8 GW | Construction ongoing | | Round 7 | 2025 | 3.5 GW | Construction starting | | Round 8 | H2 2026 expected | 3+ GW target | Tender preparation |

JETP implementation

South Africa's Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), announced COP26 in 2021:

  • $8.5 billion in initial international funding (US, UK, France, Germany, EU)
  • Coordinating decarbonisation of South African power sector
  • Implementation Plan published 2022, ratified 2023

JETP focus areas:

  • Coal-fired plant early retirement (Komati, Camden, Hendrina)
  • Just transition support for mining communities
  • Grid infrastructure investment
  • Green hydrogen development

Disbursement has been slow vs pledges — recurring theme of climate finance commitments.

Major developers

International:

  • Mainstream Renewable Power (Ireland)
  • Globeleq (UK)
  • Enel Green Power (Italy)
  • ENGIE (France)
  • ACWA Power (Saudi Arabia)
  • TotalEnergies (France)

Domestic:

  • Scatec (Norwegian but with strong SA presence)
  • BioTherm Energy
  • Mulilo (now part of Scatec)
  • AMEA Power
  • Multiple BEE (Black Economic Empowerment) consortia

Industrial customers

Major industrial customers procuring renewable through DPPAs:

  • Anglo American (mining)
  • Sasol (chemicals)
  • Goldfields (mining)
  • Sibanye-Stillwater (mining)
  • Pick n Pay (retail)
  • MTN (telecom)
  • Various data center operators

Green hydrogen ambitions

South Africa has emerging green hydrogen strategy:

  • Platinum group metals (PGM) needed for fuel cells
  • Potential green hydrogen export to Europe
  • Sasol exploring green chemistry pivot
  • Boegoebaai green hydrogen project (Northern Cape) in development

What developers should know

For renewable + EPC + storage developers:

  • Strong opportunity in continuing REIPPPP rounds
  • Corporate PPA market very active
  • BEE structure requirements meaningful
  • Project finance available domestically + multilateral
  • Currency risk (rand volatility)
  • Skills shortage in rapidly growing market

What to watch next

REIPPPP Round 8 launch (expected H2 2026) and Eskom's coal-plant early-retirement schedule (under JETP) will determine whether South Africa's renewable growth meets the 2030 30% renewable share target. Strong execution would make SA the African continent's renewable leader.

Researched and drafted with AI assistance; reviewed and edited by the named author within 24 hours of draft.

Sources