SA boasts of fastest growing green economy

Source: ITWeb, 26/09/2016

The growth of SA's green economy comes amid uncertainties regarding
the future of independent power producers in the country.


SA had the world's fastest growing green economy in 2015, according to
a recent Moody's report.


The report says while local banks and development finance institutions
have played a dominant role in financing SA's renewable energy
projects, Moody's expects increasing participation of institutional
investors in the sector.


"The South African renewable energy market has grown rapidly over the
last five years or so and there is rising demand for renewables
debt.

South Africa was the continent's largest renewables
market in 2015 in terms of asset finance for utility-scale projects,
and it saw the highest year-on-year growth globally," says Christopher
Bredholt, a Moody's VP and senior analyst.


SA's debt market for renewable energy projects is supported by several
credit positive developments, including a significant fall in
renewable electricity costs, the growth of independent renewable power
producers and the likely increased participation of institutional
investors, Moody's says.


Although coal still provides around three-quarters of SA's energy, the
ratings agency says government aims to increase the country's
renewable capacity to around 17.8 gigawatts by 2030, compared to 1.9
gigawatts in June 2015.


The development of SA's renewables sector will be shaped by the
country's transmission infrastructure, which needs additional
capacity, as well as the broader sovereign credit environment, it
adds.


The growth of SA's green economy comes amid uncertainties regarding
the future of local independent power producers (IPPs) in the country.
This is after power utility Eskom wrote a letter to the Department of
Energy asking for clarity or a dialogue regarding the next contracting
phase of IPPs beyond bid window 4.5.


Eskom has also been accused of delaying the signing of contracts with
IPPs, thereby directly affecting the viability of projects in an
advanced stage of development.


Despite these setbacks, the South African Wind Energy Association
(SAWEA) says the industry is confident in its future.


In another positive move last week, president Jacob Zuma clarified the
government's position on the IPP programme, insisting nothing has
changed with its policy.


In a statement, the presidency said: "President Jacob Zuma has taken
note of the concerns raised in the public domain about confusion or
doubt that may have been created about the Renewable Energy
Independent Power Producers Programme of government.


"The Presidency wishes to clarify that all the independent power
producer programmes, namely renewable energy, coal and gas and any
other determinations made by the Minister of Energy, are and remain
government policy and are supported by the Presidency.


"Recent public statements which may have cast doubt on government's
commitment to the IPP programme are not government policy and do not
reflect the position of government on the matter of renewable
energy."


Zuma said government remains fully behind the IPP programme, and the
confusing signals caused by the unfortunate public utterances are
regretted.


"As Moody's shows, we have the fastest growing green economy in the
world," says Johan van den Berg, CEO of SAWEA.


"We've built a R7 billion infrastructure sector in four years, all
with private money, creating many jobs and significant new
manufacturing capability, while quickly increasing local content
beyond 45%."


Van den Berg explains the renewables industry is responsible for
approximately 30% of all foreign direct investment into the
country.


"Additionally, the cost of wind power has steadily lowered to
approximately 40% below the cost of new coal power at Medupi," he adds.