In a move to expedite independent renewable energy generation, Eskom has identified 18 winning bids for an auction that it took to market in April to offer independent power producers (IPPs) use of vacant land with direct access to the national grid.

The land, owned by Eskom, is situated around coal-fired power stations in Mpumalanga. The state-owned utility owns about 36,000ha in the province and this first round of bidding made available 4,000ha to independent renewable power producers...