South Africa names more bidders for 1,084 MW of green power

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - South Africa has named 13 more preferred bidders for the fourth round of a series of renewable energy projects that will add 1,084 megawatts (MW) of electricity to its ailing power grid, the energy minister said. The new bidders are in addition to 13 others announced in April as Africa's most advanced economy aims to introduce green energy into its power mix - 95 percent of which is coal-based - in a bid to plug its chronic electricity shortages. Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson said in a statement published in the Sunday Times newspaper that the decision to add more bidders was made after "overwhelming" interest and competitive prices from investors. The bid invited producers using renewable energy such as wind, photovoltaic, biomass and small scale hydro-electric. State-owned power utility Eskom is battling to keep lights on as demand outstrips supply and often resorts to controlled power cuts to protect its grid from total collapse.