Hydropower Independent Producer Programme (HIPP)
Licensing and production

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 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.

Analyst: Thabani Madlala
Status: Halted
Last Updated:
Next Update:
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.

    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. 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.

    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

    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

    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.

    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.

    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.

    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.

    Analyst: Thabani Madlala
    Status: In progress
    Last Updated:
    Next Update:
    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.