Eskom pivots towards renewable energy with new solar power procurement initiative

ESKOM has shifted its focus from merely addressing the crippling issue of loadshedding to positioning itself as a sustainable and competitive player in the energy market.

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In a bold move, Eskom on Tuesday announced the launch of its first Renewable Energy Offtake Programme, inviting large power users to submit bids for the procurement of 291MW of solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity.

This initiative forms part of a broader strategy aimed at transitioning Eskom's generation mix away from its coal-dominated past towards a more diverse blend that includes a growing share of renewable energy sources by 2040.

The acceptance of bids comes on the heels of the South African government's approval of six large-scale solar plants, totalling nearly 1.3GW, under the seventh bid window of its national renewable energy procurement programme.

This momentum signals a significant commitment from both the public and private sectors towards a greener future.