Summary
The draft IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW2 aims to procure 3.000MW, meaning at least 4,200MW of gas power still needs to be procured.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on the second window.
Are there plans?
None.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 but it does not appear to be part of government's immediate plans.
Goals
No progress, with no indication of when BW2 will be launched.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The draft IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW2 aims to procure 1,000MW of new production at site-specific plant at Coega. To date, the BW has not yet been launched.
View DetailsIs it working?
No. Initial plans were for the plant to enter commercial operation in 2027, but this will be pushed back by one or two years if procurement proceeds. We will continue to monitor for progress on this round as BW1 round is concluded.
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on this second window.
Are there plans?
The procurement process has not made any progress since it was put on the agenda. It appears that the department is waiting to conclude gas BW1 before progressing this procurement plan.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 and was part of the IPP Office's procurement plans as of late 2024, when the last updates were provided.
Goals
The second gas electricity BW is expected to procure a site-specific 1,000MW plant to operate at Coega.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The draft IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW2 aims to procure 1,000MW of new production at site-specific plant at Coega. To date, the BW has not yet been launched.
View DetailsIs it working?
No. Initial plans were for the plant to enter commercial operation in 2027, but this will be pushed back by one or two years if procurement proceeds. We will continue to monitor for progress on this round as BW1 round is concluded.
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on this second window.
Are there plans?
The procurement process has not made any progress since it was put on the agenda. It appears that the department is waiting to conclude gas BW1 before progressing this procurement plan.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 and was part of the IPP Office's procurement plans as of late 2024, when the last updates were provided.
Goals
The second gas electricity BW is expected to procure a site-specific 1,000MW plant to operate at Coega.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW1 aims to procure 3.000MW, meaning at least 4,200MW of gas power still needs to be procured.
View DetailsIs it working?
None
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on the second window.
Are there plans?
None.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 but it does not appear to be part of government's immediate plans.
Goals
There is no progress on this front, with no indication of when BW2 will be launched.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The draft IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW1 aims to procure 3.000MW, meaning at least 4,200MW of gas power still needs to be procured.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on the second window.
Are there plans?
None.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 but it does not appear to be part of government's immediate plans.
Goals
No progress, with no indication of when BW2 will be launched.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The draft IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW2 aims to procure 3.000MW, meaning at least 4,200MW of gas power still needs to be procured.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on the second window.
Are there plans?
None.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 but it does not appear to be part of government's immediate plans.
Goals
No progress, with no indication of when BW2 will be launched.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The draft IRP 2023 allocates 7.2GW-8.6GW of gas-to-power capacity. The gas BW2 aims to procure 3.000MW, meaning at least 4,200MW of gas power still needs to be procured.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
The first gas bid window has been launched but no action has been taken on the second window.
Are there plans?
None.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for a second gas bid window flows from the IRP 2024 but it does not appear to be part of government's immediate plans.
Goals
No progress, with no indication of when BW2 will be launched.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
In an effrot to update in the 2019 IRP, the former DMRE issued the draft IRP 2023 for public comment in January this year. It is intended to act as a blueprint for the country's future energy mix and in so doing, guide the country's plans to generate new capacity to produce electricity. However, it was not fit for purpose and had to be reworked which has now been done and gone for rushed public consultations.
View DetailsIs it working?
The plan has not been adopted. Good policies are derived from solid research and evidence. The draft IRP not only ignored the least-cost principle, among other important factors, but appeared to manufacture evidence on which to base its pre-determined outcomes. The revised version will need to be fit for purpose to be effective.
Actions
The updated IRP2024, incorporating stakeholder feedback, will be released for public review before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval by March 2025.
Are there plans?
In process
Is it on the agenda?
SA National Development Institute Titus Mathe confirmed that the updated IRP2024, incorporating stakeholder feedback, will be released for public review before being submitted to the Cabinet for approval by March 2025. The draft IRP2024 follows extensive consultations and revisions to address criticisms of the IRP2023, particularly concerns over electricity supply security and persistent loadshedding.
Goals
The IRP will provide an updated energy mix for SA's future.
Summary
In an effort to update in the 2019 IRP, the former DMRE issued the draft IRP 2023 for public comment in January 2024. It is intended to act as a blueprint for the country's future energy mix and in so doing, guide the country's plans to generate new capacity to produce electricity. Following extensive input, a reworked IRP was released in November 2024 and according to most recent information is being debated at Nedlac.
View DetailsIs it working?
The plan has not been adopted and technically the 2019 IRP remains in force. Critics have alleged the draft not only ignored the least-cost principle, among other important factors, but appeared to manufacture evidence on which to base its pre-determined outcomes. The revised version will need to be fit for purpose and reflect the latest information to be effective as a guide to energy development in the country.
Actions
The draft IRP is now at Nedlac for consultation. Deliberations were expected to be completed in June 2025, however as of late July there has been no update on its status. Pending further revisions, it should be tabled at parliament next.
Are there plans?
The IRP has been drafted and is now subject to consultation.
Is it on the agenda?
Yes, the draft IRP2024 follows extensive consultations and revisions to address criticisms of the IRP2023, particularly concerns over electricity supply security and persistent loadshedding.
Goals
To deliver an up-to-date integrated resources plan that provides a target energy mix for SA's future to use in guiding development and procurement.
Summary
In an effort to update in the 2019 IRP, the former DMRE issued the draft IRP 2023 for public comment in January 2024. It is intended to act as a blueprint for the country's future energy mix and in so doing, guide the country's plans to generate new capacity to produce electricity. Following extensive input, a reworked IRP was released in November 2024 and according to most recent information is being debated at Nedlac.
View DetailsIs it working?
The plan has not been adopted and technically the 2019 IRP remains in force. Critics have alleged the draft not only ignored the least-cost principle, among other important factors, but appeared to manufacture evidence on which to base its pre-determined outcomes. The revised version will need to be fit for purpose and reflect the latest information to be effective as a guide to energy development in the country.
Actions
The draft IRP is now at Nedlac for consultation. Deliberations were expected to be completed in June 2025, however as of late July there has been no update on its status. Pending further revisions, it should be tabled at parliament next.
Are there plans?
The IRP has been drafted and is now subject to consultation.
Is it on the agenda?
Yes, the draft IRP2024 follows extensive consultations and revisions to address criticisms of the IRP2023, particularly concerns over electricity supply security and persistent loadshedding.
Goals
To deliver an up-to-date integrated resources plan that provides a target energy mix for SA's future to use in guiding development and procurement.
Summary
The DMRE issued the draft IRP 2024 for public comment in January this year. It is intended to act as a blueprint for the country's future energy mix and in so doing, guide the country's plans to generate new capacity to produce electricity. However, it is simply not fit for purpose. It ignores the least-cost principle and, in its modelling, inflates the cost of renewable energy and underestimates the cost of fossil fuels -- using that as a basis to slash the amount of renewable energy in the future energy mix from 15.2GW in IRP 2019 to just 8GW.
View DetailsIs it working?
Good policies are derived from solid research and evidence. The draft IRP not only ignored the least-cost principle, among other important factors, but seemed to manufacture false evidence on which to base its pre-determined outcomes.
Actions
The revised IRP will have to go through cabinet and Nedlac approval processes before it can be adopted.
Are there plans?
Following widespread criticism, the DMRE has indicated that it will revise the IRP 2024 document.
Is it on the agenda?
The deadline for public comment closed on 31 March and the DMRE is in the reviewing process.
Goals
The draft IRP 2024 has been issued and the DMRE is considering public comment. It needs to be revised urgently to more realistically reflect the realities of South African conditions. The most striking feature is its surprisingly high allocations to gas and coal energy, which will contribute significantly to global warming and may lead to the country being increasingly shunned by global investors for its high carbon emissions.
Summary
The DMRE issued the draft IRP 2024 for public comment in January this year. It is intended to act as a blueprint for the country's future energy mix and in so doing, guide the country's plans to generate new capacity to produce electricity. However, it is simply not fit for purpose. It ignores the least-cost principle and, in its modelling, inflates the cost of renewable energy and underestimates the cost of fossil fuels - using that as a basis to slash the amount of renewable energy in the future energy mix from 15.2GW in IRP 2019 to just 8GW.
View DetailsIs it working?
Good policies are derived from solid research and evidence. The draft IRP not only ignored the least-cost principle, among other important factors, but appeared to manufacture evidence on which to base its pre-determined outcomes. The revised version will need to be fit for purpose to be effective.
Actions
The revised IRP will have to go through cabinet and Nedlac approval processes before it can be adopted.
Are there plans?
Following widespread criticism, the DMRE has indicated that it will revise the IRP 2024 document.
Is it on the agenda?
The deadline for public comment closed on 31 March and the DMRE is reviewing the comments.
Goals
The draft IRP 2023 has been issued and the DMRE is considering public comment. It needs to be revised urgently to more realistically reflect the realities of South African conditions. The most striking feature is its surprisingly high allocations to gas and coal energy, which will contribute significantly to global warming and may lead to the country being increasingly shunned by global investors for its high carbon emissions.
Summary
View DetailsIs it working?
Actions
Are there plans?
Is it on the agenda?
Goals
#SPILL!
Summary
View DetailsIs it working?
Actions
Are there plans?
Is it on the agenda?
Goals
#SPILL!
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
This reform did advance with bid winners announced in 2016, but has since been halted following legal and environmental opposition. In December 2020, the High Court in Pretoria set aside the environmental approval for the 1,200 MW Thabametsi coal-fired power station that would have been built in its first phase at 557MW outside Lephalale in Limpopo province. The court order was the result of the settlement of a court application brought by environmental justice groups Earthlife Africa and groundWork, Friends of the Earth, South Africa , against the development company Thabametsi and the state, asking the court to set aside the environmental approval for the plant. Meanwhile, towards the end of 2019, the Environment Department advised that Khanyisa’s environmental authorisation had expired. This would have been the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation. Together, the projects were to add 863.3MW to the grid by December 2020 but never have never done so due to environmental challenges. Halted: We stopped tracking this reform at end-June 2025 because the projects were shelved following the court order and environmental opposition.
View DetailsIs it working?
No - The projects have been shelved. We are no longer tracking this reform.
Actions
Two preferred bidders with a total of 863MW of capacity were announced in October 2016. However, the projects have not reached financial close after considerable opposition from environmental groups, culminating in a court order that set aside environmental approval for the coal plants.
Are there plans?
A procurement process was developed and implemented by the IPP Office.
Is it on the agenda?
This marked the country’s first baseload programme allowing private-sector coal-based energy generation, which was part of the energy mix in the 2010 IRP. This has fallen off the agenda following legal and environmental opposition.
Goals
The goal was to procure South Africa's first private coal-fired generation plants, in line with expanded coal generation envisaged by the 2010 IRP.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
No data available for the deliverable: New coal-fired electricity BW2
No data available for the deliverable: New coal-fired electricity BW2
Summary
This coal bid window was supposed to procure 1,500MW coal using "clean" technologies, which would include carbon capture and storage. But it never took off owing to a legal challenge. Based on the IRP2025, as much as 8GW of coal is to be decommissioned by 2030. Government is still looking to test clean coal technologies to run existing power stations for longer.
View DetailsIs it working?
There was no movement on the proposed new build, which should be seen in the context of how controversial "clean coal" technology is. Storing carbon emissions is an expensive process, particularly building the infrastructure for it, while other methods have been found to contribute to global warming. Clean coal generation is unlikely to happen given the reluctance of financiers to back fossil fuel-driven projects.
Actions
No bid window to follow.
Are there plans?
No bid window to follow.
Is it on the agenda?
No new coal plants are to be built, but if tests on clean coal technology prove cheaper than Flue Gas Desulphurisation then government may opt to run the existing coal fleet for longer.
Goals
The goal was to procure 1,500MW of clean coal electricity capacity, in line with the IRP 2019.
Departments / Govt Institutions
No data available for the deliverable: New coal-fired electricity BW2
No data available for the deliverable: New coal-fired electricity BW2
No data available for the deliverable: New coal-fired electricity BW2
No data available for the deliverable: New coal-fired electricity BW2
Summary
The government issued a gazette to withdraw the intention to procure 2,500MW nuclear power, stating that more public consultation is required before the official RFQ can be issued.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
Gazetting the withdrawal of the 2,500MW nuclear procurement.
Are there plans?
The DoEE has put a stop to the IRP 2019 determination to procure 2,500MW of nuclear power.
Is it on the agenda?
Included in the IRP 2019.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount, which was later withdrawn.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The government issued a gazette to withdraw the intention to procure 2,500MW nuclear power, stating that more public consultation is required before the official RFQ can be issued. We stopped tracking this issue at end-June 2025. The 2,500MW new nuclear build was abandoned when the DoEE minister withdrew the ministerial determination in 2024. The updated IRP will determine new nuclear build.
View DetailsIs it working?
No and this current procurement process will not be restarted. We have therefore halted covering this reform deliverable. Future nuclear procurment is possible, depending on the plans set out in the new 2024 IRP when it is tabled.
Actions
Several actions were taken to work toward conducting a procurement process, but these were paused with the withdrawal of the 2,500MW nuclear procurement in August 2024.
Are there plans?
A ministerial determination to procure 2,500MW was made in 2020 and formally gazatted in January 2024, clearing the way for procurement to begin. However, in August DoEE put a stop to the IRP 2019 determination to allow for further consultation.
Is it on the agenda?
2,500MW of new nuclear capacity was included in the IRP 2019.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount, although it was later withdrawn.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The government issued a gazette to withdraw the intention to procure 2,500MW nuclear power, stating that more public consultation is required before the official RFQ can be issued. We stopped tracking this issue at end-June 2025. The 2,500MW new nuclear build was abandoned when the DoEE minister withdrew the ministerial determination in 2024. The updated IRP will determine new nuclear build.
View DetailsIs it working?
No and this current procurement process will not be restarted. We have therefore halted covering this reform deliverable. Future nuclear procurment is possible, depending on the plans set out in the new 2024 IRP when it is tabled.
Actions
Several actions were taken to work toward conducting a procurement process, but these were paused with the withdrawal of the 2,500MW nuclear procurement in August 2024.
Are there plans?
A ministerial determination to procure 2,500MW was made in 2020 and formally gazatted in January 2024, clearing the way for procurement to begin. However, in August DoEE put a stop to the IRP 2019 determination to allow for further consultation.
Is it on the agenda?
2,500MW of new nuclear capacity was included in the IRP 2019.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount, although it was later withdrawn.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
During the Zuma presidency there were ambitious plans for new nuclear capacity but these were scaled back significantly. In December 2023, there was a renewed commitment with plans to procure 2,500MW of new nuclear capacity. The government is expected to issue a request for proposals soon.
View DetailsIs it working?
The corruption-tainted President Jacob Zuma attempted to force through a R1-trillion nuclear energy deal with Russia in 2015, ignoring due processes. The courts toppled the plan, ruling it unconstitutional (among other reasons) but any proposal for new nuclear energy now naturally brings with it a healthy dose of suspicion that the rent-seekers wish to eat. While there are certain advantages to nuclear energy, this option should be ruled out on the least-cost principle, particularly given the high capital costs of developing a new nuclear power plant, and it is unlikely to happen.
Actions
Gazetting of the intention to launch the procurement round.
Are there plans?
The intention to procure 2,500MW was announced by the minister of electricity in December 2023.
Is it on the agenda?
Procuring 2,500MW of nuclear power.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount but no RFP has yet been issued.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
During the Zuma presidency there were ambitious plans for new nuclear capacity but these were scaled back significantly. In December 2023, there was a renewed commitment with plans to procure 2,500MW of new nuclear capacity. The government is expected to issue a request for proposals soon.
View DetailsIs it working?
While there are certain advantages to nuclear energy, this option should be ruled out on the least-cost principle, particularly given the high capital costs of developing a new nuclear power plant.
Actions
Gazetting of the intention to launch the procurement round.
Are there plans?
The intention to procure 2,500MW was announced by the minister of electricity in December 2023.
Is it on the agenda?
To procure 2,500MW of nuclear power.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount but no RFP has yet been issued.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The government issued a gazette to withdraw the intention to procure 2,500MW nuclear power, stating that more public consultation is required before the official RFQ can be issued.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
Gazetting the withdrawal of the 2,500MW nuclear procurement.
Are there plans?
The DoEE has put a stop to the IRP 2019 determination to procure 2,500MW of nuclear power.
Is it on the agenda?
Included in the IRP 2019.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount, which was later withdrawn.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
The government issued a gazette to withdraw the intention to procure 2,500MW nuclear power, stating that more public consultation is required before the official RFQ can be issued.
View DetailsIs it working?
No.
Actions
Gazetting the withdrawal of the 2,500MW nuclear procurement.
Are there plans?
The DoEE has put a stop to the IRP 2019 determination to procure 2,500MW of nuclear power.
Is it on the agenda?
Included in the IRP 2019.
Goals
The IRP 2019 allocates 2,500MW of new nuclear energy as part of SA's future energy mix. Electricity minister Kgosientsho Ramokgopa issued a determination in the Government Gazette in January 2024 for SA to procure this amount, which was later withdrawn.
References
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of this fiscal year which gives him until end-February 2025 to issue the RFP.
View DetailsIs it working?
Yet to be launched.
Actions
None.
Are there plans?
Mantashe has promised that BW8 will happen in the 2024/5 fiscal year.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019; with the 2024 version having been issued, it is uncertain whether this bid window will materialise.
Goals
BW8 has not been launched. The plan is to procure 5,616MW of renewable energy between bid windows 7 and 8.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Former energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of that fiscal year (end-February 2025). As of late July 2025 it has not been launched.
View DetailsIs it working?
No, the procurement round has not begun. A round would likely take six months to a year to conduct and appoint winning bidders, with projects reaching commercial operation perhaps three years later.
Actions
To date, the RFP round has not been announced.
Are there plans?
The IPP Office issued a tender in March 2025 for legal advisors for a BW8 (and BW7.5 although this element has not yet been defined). However no further steps have been taken in setting out a schedule for the BW RFP.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019 and a finalised IRP may affect the design of the BW.
Goals
The goal is for the IPP Office to conduct a round to procure additional energy such that the total of BW7 and BW8 is 5,616MW.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Former energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of that fiscal year (end-February 2025). As of late July 2025 it has not been launched.
View DetailsIs it working?
No, the procurement round has not begun. A round would likely take six months to a year to conduct and appoint winning bidders, with projects reaching commercial operation perhaps three years later.
Actions
To date, the RFP round has not been announced.
Are there plans?
The IPP Office issued a tender in March 2025 for legal advisors for a BW8 (and BW7.5 although this element has not yet been defined). However no further steps have been taken in setting out a schedule for the BW RFP.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019 and a finalised IRP may affect the design of the BW.
Goals
The goal is for the IPP Office to conduct a round to procure additional energy such that the total of BW7 and BW8 is 5,616MW.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of this fiscal year which gives him until end-February 2025 to issue the RFP.
View DetailsIs it working?
Yet to be launched.
Actions
None.
Are there plans?
Mantashe has promised that BW8 will happen in the 2024/5 fiscal year.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019; with the 2024 version having been issued, it is uncertain whether this bid window will materialise.
Goals
BW8 has not been launched. The plan is to procure 5,616MW of renewable energy between bid windows 7 and 8.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of this fiscal year which gives him until end-February 2025 to issue the RFP.
View DetailsIs it working?
Yet to be launched.
Actions
None.
Are there plans?
Mantashe has promised that BW8 will happen in the 2024/5 fiscal year.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019; with the 2024 version having been issued, it is uncertain whether this bid window will materialise.
Goals
BW8 has not been launched. The plan is to procure 5,616MW of renewable energy between bid windows 7 and 8.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of this fiscal year which gives him until end-February 2025 to issue the RFP.
View DetailsIs it working?
Yet to be launched.
Actions
None.
Are there plans?
Mantashe has promised that BW8 will happen in the 2024/5 fiscal year.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019; with the 2024 version having been issued, it is uncertain whether this bid window will materialise.
Goals
BW8 has not been launched. The plan is to procure 5,616MW of renewable energy between bid windows 7 and 8.
Departments / Govt Institutions
Summary
Energy minister Gwede Mantashe said in March 2024 that the RFP for BW8 would be issued before the end of this fiscal year which gives him until end-February 2025 to issue the RFP.
View DetailsIs it working?
Yet to be launched.
Actions
None.
Are there plans?
Mantashe has promised that BW8 will happen in the 2024/5 fiscal year.
Is it on the agenda?
The requirement for BW8 flows from the older IRP 2019; with the 2024 version having been issued, it is uncertain whether this bid window will materialise.
Goals
BW8 has not been launched. The plan is to procure 5,616MW of renewable energy between bid windows 7 and 8.
Departments / Govt Institutions