South Africa has abundant photovoltaic power generation resources and is one of the best global locations for developing photovoltaic projects. The country has set a goal of installing 18GW of renewable energy power generation facilities by 2030, and it is expected that photovoltaic systems will account for a significant portion of this goal. The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Plan (REIPPP) issued by the Government of South Africa has achieved success in attracting investment and supporting the development of photovoltaic projects in the country.
The Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) is a long-term energy plan, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in South Africa's energy structure and reduce dependence on Coal-fired power station.
The plan stipulates the vigorous development of wind and solar power generation. By 2030, South Africa will add 29000MW of new electricity installations, with a total of 20400MW of new installed capacity for wind and photovoltaic power generation, accounting for about 70%.
The Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP) launched its sixth bidding window in April 2022. The goal is to add 2600MW of renewable energy to South Africa's energy structure. Meanwhile, the South African national energy regulatory agency NERSA approved the establishment of 15 independent power producers in May and June 2022.
On September 2, 2022, the South African Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy issued a draft amendment to the Electricity Regulations (Act No. 4 of 2006, ERA). The main change in its content is to cancel the licensing threshold for installing renewable energy of 100MW. This exemption exempts renewable energy power generation facilities, including energy storage systems, from having an unrestricted power connection point on the distribution system or the Electric power transmission, and therefore does not require a license. Shortly after raising the licensing threshold from 1MW to 100MW on August 12, 2021, a proposed amendment was issued to cancel the licensing threshold. This is an attempt by the Government of South Africa to encourage further investment and construction in the energy sector, and to promote the development of renewable energy power generation facilities and the supply of reliable electricity. This will help South Africa solve its Energy crisis and provide much-needed help to the economy after years of load relief.
During the three weeks from the end of June to July 2022, South Africa experienced a daily power outage of up to 8 hours, which had a serious impact on the country's already fragile economy and brought the country's energy supply crisis to a new height.
Policy initiatives and ESKOM company reforms
The Government of South Africa tried to solve the power crisis by restoring the country's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Program (REIPPP), raising the licensing threshold for embedded power generation projects from 1MW to 100MW, and allowing municipalities to purchase power by themselves. However, due to other uncertainties, the REIPPP plan has experienced significant delays.
• Measures taken by the Government of South Africa to achieve long-term national energy security
South African state-owned power supplier Eskom has built its first photovoltaic+energy storage project at Komati, Majuba, and Lethabo power stations, which will add 500MW of electricity capacity to the South African power system.

Some photovoltaic+energy storage projects under development in South Africa: a farm in Lephalale, Limpopo Province, South Africa, has installed a photovoltaic system with a power generation capacity of 200~1200kWh and is equipped with a 7.4KWh lithium-ion battery energy storage system.
The Botha huis photovoltaic system installed in Mossel Bay, South Africa, has an installed capacity of 13.2 kW and is equipped with a battery energy storage system.
·Matjhabeng Photovoltaic+Battery Energy Storage System Project: SunElex Energy is constructing a Matjhabeng 400MW photovoltaic power station at two locations in Odendaalsrus, Free State Province, South Africa, equipped with an 80MW/320MWh battery energy storage system. The project is divided into two stages of construction: the first stage will install a 200MW photovoltaic system and a 40MW/160MWh battery energy storage system, located in the southern part of Odendaalsrus; The second phase will install a 200MW photovoltaic system and a 40MW/160MWh battery energy storage system in the northern part of Odendaalsrus.
Purchase remaining production capacity from independent power generation companies.
• Purchase additional energy from private generators, mines, Paper mill and shopping malls or other entities with excess electricity.
• Import electricity from neighboring countries of South Africa (Botswana and Zambia) through the arrangement of the Southern African Power Union (SAPPY).
Climate funds provided through the Fair Energy Transformation Partnership can be used to invest in and renovate old power stations. The South African Police Department has set up a task force to assist the State Power Corporation of China of South Africa in combating corruption and crime.
In addition, it is expected that the reduction of PV module cost and the improvement of power generation efficiency will make PV system more competitive with fossil fuel power generation facilities. In addition, due to the increasing focus on reducing carbon emissions, it is expected to further drive South Africa's demand for photovoltaic power generation.