German IPP ib vogt GmbH behind controversial 140MW Ngonyama solar project in South Africa’s REIPPPP Bid Window 6

• On 20 March 2023, the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy published an updated list of preferred bidders in REIPPPP Bid Window 6 (Additional) without a formal press release. 
• The updated list now includes the Ngonyama Solar PV project (140MW) as a 6^th preferred bidder.
• We have determined the Ngonyama project was a special purpose vehicle (SPV) bought by ib vogt and the full allocation of shares in the SPV were transferred to them last year.
• According to CIPC records,  the two directors of the company are Sachin Jaichund Thakurpersad and Sefakor Agbesi, both are employed by ib vogt.

The Ngonyama project was previously part of the “29 Solar Development” cluster. According to the CSIR, who were commissioned to do the environmental impact assessment (EIA) in 2015, 29 Solar (Pty) Ltd (Reg. No. 2015/002969/07) proposed to construct and operate five 100 megawatt (MW) solar photovoltaic (PV) facilities and associated electrical infrastructure over nine farms close to Dealesville, in the Free State province.

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The five projects and associated infrastructure are collectively referred to as the 29 Solar Dealesville Development and is situated approximately 50 km south-east of Boshof and approximately 70 km north-east of Bloemfontein. The five proposed PV facilities and associated electrical infrastructure were granted Environmental Authorisation by the National Department of Environmental Affairs On 05 September 2016.

It is unknown how the project has been morphed downed to 240MW capacity and now 140MW. Further controversy regarding the project involves unanswered questions around local ownership, BBBEE partners,  EIA approval and the higher than usual tariff accepted by the IPP Office/DMRE.

Image credit: DMRE

This is an unfolding story.

Author: Bryan Groenendaal