Eskom signs land leases with renewable investors

Eskom signed lease agreements with four independent power producers (IPPs) to construct new clean energy generation capacity at two of its power stations in the eastern province of Mpumalanga.

HDF Energy South Africa, Red Rocket SA, Sola Group and Mainstream Renewable Power Developments South Africa will lease a total of 6 184 hectares of land for a period of 25 to 30 years each and contribute an estimated 2 000 megawatts to the national electricity grid, state-owned utility Eskom said in a statement.

The new capacity will be connected to the grid within 24-36 months from financial closure, subject to approvals, Eskom said.

The land lease programme is the first of its kind, CEO Andre de Ruyter said. The utility expects to lease as much as 30 000 hectares, attracting an estimated R40 billion to areas traditionally associated with coal-fired power stations, he said.

Eskom will next make land available on properties around its Kendal and Kusile power stations in Mpumalanga and its retired Ingagane facility in Kwazulu-Natal province in the coming months, it said.

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