Eskom’s IPP stance seen undermining investment and green industrialisation

The decision by Eskom not to sign any new power purchase agreements (PPAs) with independent power producers (IPPs) beyond those selected in the latest competitive bidding round could have a “chilling” effect on investment and undermine industrialisation efforts under way in the green economy, industry participants warn. In a letter sent to Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson last week, Eskom chairperson Dr Ben Ngubane indicated that the utility was unwilling to sign further PPAs beyond the preferred projects selected under bid widow 4.5 of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP).