The Renewable Energy Programme was launched in August 2011. The DOE had negotiated with the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) to assist with funding the black economic empowerment (BEE) portion of projects. The programme included specific requirements developers had to adhere to. The Department and the National Treasury had initiated a concessionary renewable energy funding programme and a number of funding institutions had expressed interest in participating in the programme. The DOE had formed a partnership with Kreditanstalt fr Wideraubau to roll out solar systems in the Eastern Cape.