South Africa is planning to focus its efforts over the next few years on meeting more of its energy requirements through renewable sources, new Energy Minister Dipuo Peters announced in Parliament on Tuesday.

In a timely announcement as Cape Town braves gale force winds, Peters said the government is hoping to commission 400 MW of wind power from independent power producers (IPPs) within the next three years.

The minister also said the government was working with the Clinton Foundation to develop an “Industrial Energy Park” concept that would focus on concentrated solar power (CSP).

The comments, which were made during the Budget Vote, follow the decision by the National Energy Regulator of SA (Nersa) to approve a renewable energy feed-in tariff, or Refit, for wind, landfill-gas, CSP and mini-hydro schemes.

Peters added that she will also announce a decision on the future energy mix, with regards to the role and responsibilities of Eskom and IPPs, over the next few weeks.