Nearly half of the projects awarded under the re-launch of South Africa's renewable power purchase programme have failed, two government sources told Reuters, undermining plans to use wind and solar to ease the nation's power crisis.
Regular breakdowns at state power utility Eskom's ageing coal-fired plants mean the continent's most developed economy faces daily planned power cuts. President Cyril Ramaphosa has said the country needs to fill a 4,000 to 6,000-megawatt electricity production deficit.
But he said the government now expects only half of the 2,583 MW in capacity anticipated following the auction to come online. "The problem with bid window five was that we put all our eggs in one basket," the second official said. "You can't do at such low tariffs. It's stupid."Both sources asked not to be named as they were not authorised to comment publicly on the matter.
Responding to Reuters questions, Ikamva said higher interest rates, the increased cost of energy and other commodities, as well as the slower production of equipment post-pandemic had impacted its calculations.
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