Local power bids to get preference

Local power bids to get preference

THE DEPARTMENT of Energy wanted to increase localisation in the process of commissioning renewable power projects, Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said yesterday.

 

The government is seeking to cut coal use for electricity and is adding 3 725 megawatts of renewable energy capacity by the end of 2016 through five rounds of tenders, three of which have been allocated.

That may help Eskom meet demand as the power utility struggles to fund maintenance and expansion.

 

“For the next round we want to intervene so that local players do have a fair share” of contracts, the minister said in a panel discussion in Johannesburg. “Obviously we can do nothing about those that have already been decided on.”

 

The department will name the preferred bidders in a fourth round of the renewable energy projects on November 24, according to its website.