South Africa awards 1 GW of solar licenses under REIPPPP bid window 7.3 to Red Rocket SA and Engie

Type: Development · Technology: Solar · Country: South Africa · Announced: 2026-07-08

South Africa’s National Energy Regulator (NERSA) granted generation licenses to four solar projects totaling over 1 GW under the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPPP) bid window 7.3. The projects include the 278 MW Sculptor Energy (240 MW contracted) developed by Cape Town-based Red Rocket SA in Mpumalanga, and two additional facilities by Red Rocket SA: the 277 MW Springhaas Solar Facility 1 (240 MW contracted) and the 206 MW Springhaas Solar Facility 6 (170 MW contracted), both located in Free State. The fourth project, the 288 MW Corona Energy (240 MW contracted), will be developed by France’s Engie in Free State. The combined contracted capacity of 890 MW will contribute to South Africa’s broader renewable energy goals under REIPPPP, which has now approved nearly 5 GW of solar across bid window 7.3 and prior allocations. NERSA confirmed compliance with technical, financial, and regulatory requirements after a public consultation process that included a virtual hearing scheduled for May 7, 2026, which was canceled due to lack of objections. The regulator emphasized the projects’ alignment with national objectives, including job creation, social upliftment, and local industry development.

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