KEY POINTS
- Renewable energy offtake programme targets big power users.
- Eskom eyes 291 MW solar rollout by 2027.
- Exporters see green power as competitiveness lifeline.
Eskom has invited large industrial and commercial consumers to bid for a slice of 291 MW solar capacity, part of its newly launched Renewable Energy Offtake Programme. The move, CEO Dan Marokane said, is aimed at giving customers tailored solutions to shrink their indirect carbon footprint while the utility accelerates its own decarbonisation strategy.
Successful bidders will enter into power purchase agreements (PPAs) ranging from five to 25 years. However, electricity will be supplied in phases, with the first project scheduled to come online by December 2027. Eskom has set the minimum bid size at 10 MW, while the full envelope of capacity is capped at 291 MW.
Renewable energy offtake programme faces funding test
While Eskom is targeting 2 GW of ready-to-build solar projects by 2026 and an ambitious 32 GW renewables portfolio by 2040, questions remain over how these projects will be financed.
Rivoningo Mnisi, Eskom’s renewables chief, said a new Eskom Green business arm would partner with independent power producers, while private capital would be key to bridging funding gaps under the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Exporters eye renewables to stay competitive
For South Africa’s exporters, the shift carries strategic importance. With Europe introducing carbon border adjustment mechanisms—and more markets expected to follow—access to green energy could be decisive for global competitiveness.
In conclusion, Acting distribution chief Agnes Mlambo said the scheme would help customers secure low-carbon, reliable electricity supply in a cost-competitive way. The bid deadline is September 19, 2025.
