PRESS STATEMENT: Bold leadership on renewables sends strong message to investors – SAPVIA

SAPVIA MEDIA STATEMENT
For immediate release.
Bold leadership on renewables sends strong message to investors – SAPVIA
The announcement that Eskom will sign the outstanding Power Purchase Agreements in the Renewable Energy IPP Programme (REIPPP) sends a strong message to investors that the renewable energy industry is very much open for business. We now hope that Eskom heeds the President’s commitment to finalise these agreements and the Minister moves ahead with the announcement of the expedited round.
This is the view of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA) who represents more than 170 players in the renewable energy sector.
“It is reassuring to know that government remains committed to working together with the private sector to attract investment and drive much-needed job creation in the renewable energy sector,” says SAPVIA Chairman, Davin Chown. “This industry has a strong track record when it comes to delivering on government’s key objectives of economic growth and social development and we look forward to building on the successes we have already had in rounds 1, 2, and 3 of the REIPPP.”
SAPVIA has been working together with partner associations in the SA Renewable Energy Council to build long-term partnerships with government and related stakeholders who benefit from the growth in renewable energy in South Africa. “We know from the first three rounds of the REIPPP that this collaboration between business and government provides a very successful foundation for sustainable and genuinely transformative enterprises and we can’t wait to kick on with the programme,” said Chown.
SAPVIA CEO, Mike Levington says that the association appreciates the hard work that the Minister of Energy has done behind the scenes to assist in unblocking the obstacles to the finalization of the Financial Close of the fourth procurement round. “The spades are in the ground and ready and waiting for the Minister to sign,” he says “We now look forward to the announcement of the preferred bidders in the Expedited Round of the programme”.
“As a result of their efforts, many new construction jobs will be created, many current jobs will be secured, foreign and local investment will flow into the sector and the economy,” said Levington. “Local ownership in the 37 projects as well as projects in the Small IPP Programme will be secured, particularly by Black Owned enterprises, and significant socio-economic benefits will flow to local communities over the 20 year lifespan of the projects”.
 
-ENDS-
 
SAPVIA can be contacted on:
Kim Thomas 021 200 5856
Mike Levington (Deputy Chair):082 770 1036
Davin Chown (Chairperson): 0834603898
SAPVIA represents 172 member organisations in the solar PV industry spanning technical service providers, installer, EPC companies, financiers, developers, utilities and IPP’s.
Click here to download a copy of full statement.

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