New REIPPP contracts awarded

Google’s equity investment in the 96MW Jasper solar PV project affirms the international prominence of South Africa’s renewable energy independent power producer procurement (REIPPP) programme, even though exchange rate risk and the cost of financing might pose challenges down the road. Jasper is a REIPPP2 project which closed on 30 May. It is being developed by US power developer SolarReserve, black economic empowerment company Kensani Group and South African renewable power developer Intikon Energy. The consortium was awarded the African Renewables Deal of the Year award by Project Finance International magazine in 2012.