In November 2024, the first in-person training of the Policy Catalyst Effective Renewable Energy Tendering Window brought 62 delegates from 12 African nations together in Cape Town to dive into the tools and knowledge needed to successfully design and implement renewable energy auctions.
Representing Botswana, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, The Gambia, Uganda, and Zimbabwe, the public sector stakeholders delved into case studies and best practices, exchanging experiences on risk management, off-taker sustainability, and how auctions can effectively scale solar and wind energy at competitive prices. Further highlights from the training included country action plan drafting, and a site visit to ESKOM’s utility-scale Battery Energy Storage System—the first of its kind in Africa.
The Effective Renewable Energy Tendering Window is a joint initiative by GET.transform, the Power Futures Lab, the Sustainable Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI) of the World Bank’s ESMAP program and IRENA, and aims to enhance power procurement capabilities to pave the way for greater private sector involvement. Over nine months, the public sector stakeholders participate in hybrid and in-person training sessions. These workshops combine technical expertise with hands-on learning to address key challenges in tendering for renewable energy projects, such as risk allocation, project financing, site selection, and Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) negotiations. The innovative approach ensures that participants, including representatives from ministries, regulatory authorities, and utilities, enhance their technical skills and also engage in peer learning and cross-country collaboration. A fully powered Africa is key to raising living standards, creating jobs, ensuring essential services, empowering women, driving digitalization, and propelling growth that attracts investment and boosts trade.
“Effective Renewable Energy Tendering” is a joint capacity building initiative between Cape Town University’s Power Futures Lab (PFL), GIZ GET.transform and the World Bank Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) under the Sustainable Renewables Risk Mitigation Initiative (SRMI) to build capacity in countries in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) on preparation and procurement of bankable renewable energy (RE) and storage (if any) projects.