The approval last month of South
Africas first large-scale renewable projects establishes
a roadmap for the completion of energy deals in the country.
Here the deals counsel outline the key precedents
set.
The South African government selected 28
wind and solar projects to make up the first round of deals
under the South
African Renewables initiative (SARi).
The contracts, which have a combined
value of
$5.4 billion (£3.4. billion), represent the first
stage of the governments plan to reduce reliance on
coal-fired plants and boost employment.
Wildu du Plessis co-managing partner of
Baker & McKenzies Johannesburg office said South
Africa previously lacked independent private sector power
generators and that presented the most challenging aspect of
the deals. This meant the legal construct was completely
different to any other South African financing, he
said.
Although the financing followed typical principles...