Electricity and Control August 2021

ENERGY MANAGEMENT + THE INDUSTRIAL ENVIRONMENT

Investing in renewable energy in Africa Enel Green Power has been a key player in South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme (REIPPPP). Participating successfully through past bidding rounds, the South African office currently has 13 renewable energy projects in operation or under construction in southern Africa. Leigh Darroll spoke toWilliam Price, Country Manager for Enel Green Power South Africa (EGP RSA), about the projects the company has completed, future opportunities, and EGP RSA’s particular approach to community development, local enterprise development, and creating shared value.

William Price, Country Manager, EGP RSA.

I n South Africa, Enel Green Power currently operates five solar power plants and four wind farms, with another three wind farms under construction and scheduled to come online towards the end of 2021. In total, with the most recent completion of the Oyster Bay wind farm, the already operational power plants have an overall capacity of more than 800 MW. In addition to South Africa, Enel Green Power’s operations in Africa extend to Kenya, Ethiopia, as well as a solar plant in Zambia, all of which are managed from the Johannesburg office. With its long-established performance in renewable energy globally, Enel Green Power shares its expertise on renewable energy across all new ventures. The development of the solar plant in Zambia, for example, gave engineers and technicians employed in the South African office the chance to share their skills with colleagues in Zambia, extending the exchange of knowledge through the southern African region. Price likes to describe the company’s core business as “selling green electrons”. “As an independent power

producer, we develop, build and operate renewable energy plants to facilitate that business.”

In South Africa The South African office is structured around three business units. Business Development looks at new development opportunities, identifies potential sites for renewable energy generation, evaluates the resource available, and considers the feasibility of a project. Engineering and Construction manages the execution of projects. Beyond the initial planning, detailed design and, in turn, construction are subcontracted. Engineering and Construction is responsible for managing construction progress – working from head office and/or on site. Operations and Maintenance sees to the ongoing operations of owned assets with staff based in the office and on site. As an Independent Power Producer (IPP), Enel Green Power South Africa invests in new power generation plants. In most instances it operates as developer, owner and operator, although different models can be employed, depending on the specific requirements of the off-taker or client. “As an IPP, we initiate the value chain which cascades down to local engineering firms, construction contractors and subcontractors, manufacturers and suppliers and allied services,” Price explains. Regarding the REIPPPP, he says EGP RSA welcomes the opening of Bid Window 5 after the extended hiatus in the programme, which was disruptive for the sector. This was particularly so for manufacturers that had invested locally and were forced to shut down when the continuity pipeline was cut by a seven-year gap that followed the conclusion of the fourth bidding round. Price sees the REIPPPP as an exemplary programme in terms of spurring investment, generating power, creating jobs and contributing to local economic development – all measures supported by the criteria (such as percentages of local labour, percentages of local manufacture) stipulated in the bidding requirements. As an IPP, EGP

EGP RSA’s solar power plant in Upington, Northern Cape, has an operating capacity of 9.9 MW.

12 Electricity + Control AUGUST 2021