Global law firm Baker & McKenzie partner Paul Curnow believes South Africa holds significant upside potential for manufacturers and developers of commercial rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) projects, as these players would be able to bypass often protracted government programmes, such as the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) and supply energy directly to a commercial customer.
The Sydney-based lawyer added that the firm, which had advised several renewable-energy companies bidding in all three REIPPPP rounds, had seen increasing interest in independent power projects developed without assistance from State incentives.
While the national programme had attracted international players to the domestic market and had accelerated the development of a local renewable-energy sector, Curnow outlined that it required companies to invest in South Africa without a guarantee that a bid would be successful.
In contrast, rooftop solar PV enabled the addition of substantial embedded generation without the build-out and connection costs associated with larger, more geographically isolated projects.
“Solar rooftop projects are a great way for renewable-energy project developers to develop projects without having to wait for the next round [of the REIPPPP], as the opportunity cost of investing in South Africa over another renewables market means that developers can’t afford to wait around for too long.
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The Sydney-based lawyer added that the firm, which had advised several renewable-energy companies bidding in all three REIPPPP rounds, had seen increasing interest in independent power projects developed without assistance from State incentives.
While the national programme had attracted international players to the domestic market and had accelerated the development of a local renewable-energy sector, Curnow outlined that it required companies to invest in South Africa without a guarantee that a bid would be successful.
In contrast, rooftop solar PV enabled the addition of substantial embedded generation without the build-out and connection costs associated with larger, more geographically isolated projects.
“Solar rooftop projects are a great way for renewable-energy project developers to develop projects without having to wait for the next round [of the REIPPPP], as the opportunity cost of investing in South Africa over another renewables market means that developers can’t afford to wait around for too long.
Read more.....
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