Renewable energy projects are advancing rapidly in Southern Africa, with new government support for independent power producers (IPPs) and new interest from investors.

Southern Africa is seen by multiple analysts as one of the most important regions to develop renewable energies globally. Recently, 17 renewables projects were granted preferred bidder status under the last round of South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP). Now, Namibia is preparing its first 50 MW concentrated solar power project and Botswana has too plans to include renewable energy amongst its energy portfolio.

Aaron Somolekae, Principal Engineer at the Department of Energy of Botswana told CSP Today that "the bankable feasibility study recommended 100MW as a PPP/IPP model, whereby Botswana Power Corporation will have a stake and an IPP/developer will have the majority stake. The amount of local private content will also play a small role. There may be potential for another 100MW as well" told In South Africa, an additional Window 3.5 takes place in March exclusively for CSP. 200 MW will be allocated and according to financing sources, there are 6 bidders so far involved in the round. During the last CSP Today "Securing Project Financing" webinar, developers voted in an industry poll that raising enough debt or equity commitments pre-bid submissions was the biggest financial challenge in the region.
Leading Spanish developer Abengoa with three CSP plants totalling 250 MW, Saudi ACWA Power and South African Emvelo with 50 and 100 MW trough plants respectively are meeting at CSP Today South Africa 2014 (8-9 April, Cape Town) to discuss the next steps for the CSP industry in the region with financial institutions such as Investec, DBSA or Standard Bank and government officials from South Africa, Botswana and Namibia.
For more information on CSP Today South Africa 2014 please visit: http://goo.gl/gyyzR8

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CSP Today is the reference point for CSP professionals and a cornerstone for communications within the industry. We provide business intelligence to the industry with focused news, events, reports, updates and information for the Concentrated Solar Thermal Power industry in markets such as India, South Africa, Spain, USA, Chile and the MENA region.