This report investigates the community benefit requirements under South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (RE IPPPP). This government-led procurement programme aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the national grid by procuring energy from private independent power producers (IPPs).

The procurement programme requires independent power producers (IPPs) to contribute to various economic development criteria, including four criteria focussing on the local communities in which renewable energy projects are located. 

This model has presented private renewable energy business with the challenge of engaging with community development processes.

This report explores the experiences and challenges faced by the renewable energy sector and project developers. It also makes recommendations to mazimise community benefits.