Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP)
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Individual Reform: Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) 2026 - 2027

Licensing and production

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued but are expected in the second half of 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation are expected to be issued later in the year.

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers which will last for a maximum of 40 years.

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued but are expected in the second half of 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation are expected to be issued later in the year.

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers which will last for a maximum of 40 years.

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued but are expected in the second half of 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation are expected to be issued later in the year.

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers which will last for a maximum of 40 years.

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued but are expected in the second half of 2024.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation are expected to be issued later in the year.

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers which will last for a maximum of 40 years.

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation are expected to be issued later in the year.

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation

Goals

The Department of Water and Sanitation aims to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers which will last for a maximum of 40 years.

Summary

Water use licenses for hydropower generation are not yet issued. It is related to the reform Water hydropower licensing HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025. It is also part of the water hydropower licensing reform.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation as part of future energy mix.

Goals

To add to overall energy generation.

Summary

Water use licenses for hydropower generation are not yet issued. It is related to the reform Water hydropower licensing HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025. It is also part of the water hydropower licensing reform.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation as part of future energy mix.

Goals

To add to overall energy generation.

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued. It is related to the reform Water hydropower licensing HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025. It is also part of the water hydropower licensing reform.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation as part of future energy mix.

Goals

To add to overall energy generation.

Summary

Water use licences for hydropower generation are not yet issued. It is related to the reform Water hydropower licensing HALTED: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025. It is also part of the water hydropower licensing reform.

Canvas not supported.

Is it working?

No action yet

Actions

Not yet issued

Are there plans?

Water use licences for hydropower generation

Is it on the agenda?

Hydropower generation as part of future energy mix.

Goals

To add to overall energy generation.

Analyst: Lameez Hyman
Status: halted
Last Updated:
Next Update:
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Reform Area:
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    If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.

    Water hydropower licensing

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    Applications opened

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Hydropower generation

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    Applications opened

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Hydropower generation

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    Applications opened

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Hydropower generation

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    Applications opened

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    Is it on the agenda?

    Hydropower generation

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024. There have been no new developments.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Action met

    Actions

    Applications opened

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) to leverage existing water infrastructure (rivers, dams, and water courses) for renewable energy generation

    Is it on the agenda?

    Hydropower generation

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) in 2023 to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to address SA’s energy crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024. There have been no new developments since GNU was formed. RFA: https://ewulaas.dws.gov.za/ewulaas/docs/DetailProgramme_HydropowerRFA17March2023.pdf

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Since the application deadline passed in January 2024, there have been no publicly reported new developments or announcements regarding the outcomes or progress of these licence applications. Water hydropower is also not featured in department's five year plan or MTDP 2024-2029

    Actions

    Still to hear updates from the department following the opening of the window for water use license applications for hydropower generation. There have been no publicly announced updates or decisions from the department regarding the outcomes of these applications or the granting of licences.

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the HIPP to leverage existing water infrastructure (rivers, dams and water courses) for renewable energy generation.

    Is it on the agenda?

    It was on the agenda of the Department of Water and Sanitation pre-GNU.

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) in 2023 to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to address SA’s energy crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The department intended to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources. Applications closed on 31 January 2024. There have been no new developments since GNU was formed. RFA: https://ewulaas.dws.gov.za/ewulaas/docs/DetailProgramme_HydropowerRFA17March2023.pdf

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Since the application deadline passed in January 2024, there have been no publicly reported new developments or announcements regarding the outcomes or progress of these licence applications. Water hydropower is also not featured in department's five year plan or MTDP 2024-2029

    Actions

    Still to hear updates from the department following the opening of the window for water use license applications for hydropower generation. There have been no publicly announced updates or decisions from the department regarding the outcomes of these applications or the granting of licences.

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the HIPP to leverage existing water infrastructure (rivers, dams and water courses) for renewable energy generation.

    Is it on the agenda?

    It was on the agenda of the Department of Water and Sanitation pre-GNU.

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) in 2023 to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to address SA’s energy crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The department intended to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources (rivers, dams and water courses). However, there have been delays in advancing this project.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Since the application deadline passed in January 2024, there have been no publicly reported new developments or announcements regarding the outcomes or progress of these licence applications. Water hydropower is also not featured in department's five year plan or MTDP 2024-2029

    Actions

    Still to hear updates from the department following the opening of the window for water use license applications for hydropower generation. There have been no publicly announced updates or decisions from the department regarding the outcomes of these applications or the granting of licences.

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the HIPP to leverage existing water infrastructure (rivers, dams and water courses) for renewable energy generation. The department intends to launch more licence application rounds. This includes a round for licence applications for new build projects in coastal regions (KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape and Western Cape).

    Is it on the agenda?

    It was on the agenda of the Department of Water and Sanitation pre-GNU.

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) in 2023 to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to address SA’s energy crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The department intended to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Summary

    In 2023, the Department of Water and Sanitation invited applications for water use licences for hydropower generation and floating solar panels using national water resources (rivers, dams and water courses). So far, the department has granted 24 licences for hydropower turbine plants at dams and tunnels, along with 45 licences for floating solar panel installations in dam reservoirs. The department is finalising lease agreements. Other permits must be secured before these projects can move ahead with construction. Two more bid windows for water use licences for hydropower projects were targeted for launch in 2025.

    Canvas not supported.

    Is it working?

    Since the first bid window issued in 2023 the department has granted 24 licences for hydropower turbine plants at dams and tunnels, along with 45 licences for floating solar panel installations in dam reservoirs.

    Actions

    The department is finalising lease agreements for the water licences it has granted.Once these are completed, the projects will move forward to detailed design phases, acquisition of additional permits, procurement of necessary materials and equipment, and subsequently construction.Two additional bid windows for water use licences were targeted for issuance in December 2025, but there seems to be a delay.

    Are there plans?

    The department initiated the HIPP in 2023 to leverage existing water infrastructure (rivers, dams and water courses) for renewable energy generation. The department targeted the launch of two more licence application rounds or bid windows in 2025 but it is not yet clear if this was achieved.

    Is it on the agenda?

    It was on the agenda of the Department of Water and Sanitation pre-GNU.

    Goals

    The Department of Water and Sanitation initiated the Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP) in 2023 to allow for available water infrastructure and water courses, including rivers and dams, to be used to contribute to the power grid with renewable energy. This initiative aligns with broader efforts to address SA’s energy crisis and reduce reliance on fossil fuels. The department intended to grant licences for hydropower generation to qualified independent power producers.

    References

    Departments / Govt Institutions

    Department of Water and Sanitation

    Analyst: Lameez Hyman
    Status: in-progress
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    Got an Update? Follow this reform
    Reform Area:
    Reform:

      If you would like to alert our analysts to an update you are aware of in this particular reform area, please complete the form below and submit it to us. Please ensure you include links to any press releases or other documents to confirm the reforms and provide detail to allow our analysts to assess the changes. Our team will review it.