With regard to (1), (2), (3) and (5)(a), all Preferred Bidders appointed under the Risk Mitigation Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RMIPPPP) and the fifth bid window under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP Bid Window 5) were given an absolute deadline of 31 December 2023 to meet their specific conditions precedent to reach Legal and Commercial Close. Such conditions are at the Preferred Bidders’ own risk. Accordingly, the Department is applying all relevant steps in accordance with the provisions of the Request for Proposals (RFP).
With regard to (4) all IPP Procurement Bid Windows were implemented in line with public procurement prescripts on the basis of competitive bidding against specific requirements as stated in the Request for Proposals (RFP). The Department does not design procurement programmes based on specific potential bidders, but on the requirements of the System Operator. The Department released a 2000MW Gas to Power Bid Window on 14 December 2023 which specifies an exclusion in respect of any potential Project(s) located in the area known as Zone 13 near the Port of Ngqura, as it is envisaged that a separate procurement process will be undertaken for the establishment of a gas-fired new generation project at that location. The RFP specifications for the 1000MW Gas to Power IPP Progragmme at that location is still under development.
With regard to 5(b), by 31 December 2023, 95 IPP Projects are in operation and contributing 7362.2 MW to the national grid. A further 16 IPP Projects, totaling 1687MW, are currently in construction and are expected to start operations from September 2024 onwards.