Case Studies from Around the World
A collaboration between the World Economic Forum and the Clean Energy Ministerial
August 2025
People's Republic of China
Ningxia Tengger Desert Renewable Energy Project: Transforming Degraded Landscapes through Smart Renewable Deployment
![Project overviewLaunched in 2011, South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) is globally recognized for catalysing private-sector investment in utility-scale renewables while embedding principles of social justice and inclusive development. Designed during a period of economic stagnation and post-apartheid inequality, the programme sought to ensure that clean energy deployment not only reduced emissions but also addressed the country’s pressing need for inclusive economic growth, especially in historically disadvantaged communities. The programme accounted for South Africa’s systemic exclusion, low growth and energy insecurity, taking a hybrid approach that integrated global procurement standards with domestic development goals.ApproachRather than adopt widely used feed-in tariffs, REIPPPP implemented a competitive auction model consistent with South Africa’s public-private partnership (PPP) principles. The Department of Energy, supported by the National Treasury and the PPP unit,[1] developed transparent and non-negotiable procurement documentation that met international standards and guaranteed bankability. International consultants were embedded within the design process to ensure investor confidence while minimizing legal ambiguity. The programme also introduced a robust set of criteria for local development, mandating that local communities situated within a 50-km radius of the project benefit directly through equity ownership in projects, employment, local procurement and socio-economic investment. A minimum percentage of project ownership was required to be held by local community trusts, with expected dividend payouts increasing over time. Developers were also required to use a small percentage of top-line revenues to fund socio-economic and economic spend which included bursaries, health initiatives and infrastructure projects that aligned with community development priorities.[2] These obligations were embedded into project documents from the outset to ensure clarity and enforceability.The programme operated in sequential bidding windows, enabling learning and adaptation between rounds. Government support was underpinned by a bespoke risk-sharing framework that guaranteed payments through Eskom, the national utility, and backed by Treasury without exposing the state to unchecked fiscal risk.[3] This model reduced uncertainty, increased lender trust and kept procurement timelines efficient. Business & economic valueREIPPPP has delivered over $13 billion in committed private investment since inception, making it one of the largest renewable energy programmes in the developing world. The government’s transparent procurement process and bankable documentation eliminated delays typically caused by post-award negotiations, accelerating project delivery and lowering transaction costs for developers. Crucially, the risk-mitigation mechanisms built into the programmes such as the government support framework agreement and Eskom payment guarantees, gave investors the confidence needed to enter a nascent market with complex socio-political dynamics. To date, no claims have been made regarding the Treasury-backed guarantees, underscoring the programme’s credibility and effective structuring. At the local level, REIPPPP’s socio-economic development contributions have exceeded $64 million, funding bursaries, clinics, educational infrastructure and job creation. For example, children from rural communities have been fully funded through university with support for accommodation, books, mentorship and living expenses – demonstrating a long-term approach to breaking cycles of poverty. Moreover, the programme has stimulated the emergence of a domestic renewable energy services sector, including local manufacturers and engineering firms, generating over 60,000 jobs during construction and operations. It is anticipated that by 2030, 200,000 new jobs would have been created as a result of REIPPPP. The community ownership model, while initially producing modest dividends, is structured to yield significant financial flows from year seven onwards – ensuring sustained benefit-sharing over the 20-year project life cycle. REIPPPP has not only unlocked energy investment but also laid the foundation for broader private-sector engagement in infrastructure, spurring new government-led initiatives in grid, rail, port and water systems modelled on its framework. The programme has thus demonstrated that private capital, when aligned with developmental goals, can be a powerful lever for systemic transformation. REIPPPP is widely recognized as a global best practice for policy-driven renewable energy development and how renewable energy procurement can be designed to serve both market and societal needs. By blending investor-grade certainty with ambitious community benefit mandates, the programme has redefined how PPPs in clean energy can deliver economic justice. Its emphasis on transparency, cost-competitiveness and social impact has enabled South Africa to deploy significant renewable capacity while fostering inclusive economic growth and investor confidence. It demonstrates the catalytic role policy frameworks can play in shaping just large-scale energy transitions. References: Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement (REIPPP) Programme - Department of Mineral Resources and Energy - Republic of South AfricaIndependent Power Producer (IPP) Projects - IPP Office South Africa’s Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme - NDC Partnership South Africa’s Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Program: Success Factors and Lessons - World Bank PPIAF](https://fws.weforum.org/images/casestudies/aJYTG0000000YeP4AU/standard)
South Africa
South Africa's Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP) - A model for public-private partnerships
![Project overview BELREEFS is Belgium’s first large-scale offshore pilot project dedicated to restoring native European flat oyster (Ostrea edulis) reefs in the North Sea. These reefs, once abundant, were nearly wiped out by overfishing, habitat degradation and parasitic diseases (e.g. Bonamia ostreae). Recognized as ecosystem engineers, oysters improve biodiversity, water quality and ecosystem functioning.[1]Commissioned by the Belgian Federal Public Service for Health, BELREEFS is coordinated by Jan De Nul Group, in collaboration with Mantis, Shells & Valves, and the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences, and operates under the LIFE Belgium for Biodiversity programme. The project aligns with the Native Oyster Restoration Alliance (NORA) and showcases a co-creation model integrating government, industry and science to drive marine habitat restoration. It is intended as a precursor to broader oyster reef restoration in Belgian waters. Approach BELREEFS uses a phased restoration strategy based on scientific and engineering best practices: Site selection: High-resolution seabed mapping identifies gravel beds – optimal substrates for oyster settlement and reef formation – based on historical distribution and environmental suitability. Remote setting technique: Oyster larvae are pre-settled onto biodegradable hard substrates in lab-controlled environments, creating “spat-on-substrate” units. This improves survival during early development. Deployment and monitoring: These seeded substrates are deployed offshore, followed by long-term monitoring using remote sensing, data modelling and real-time biodiversity tracking to assess reef establishment, ecological performance and scalability potential. This interdisciplinary, technology-driven methodology improves cost-efficiency and reduces reliance on manual surveys, while generating high-quality data to guide replication.[2]Business and economic value The BELREEFS project illustrates the growing alignment between active ecological restoration and long-term economic resilience for marine infrastructure and offshore renewable energy sectors. Oyster reefs offer ecosystem services that generate long-term value for both public and private stakeholders, from water filtration, biodiversity enhancement, improved resilience to co-existence. For example, one oyster filters up to 200 litres of water per day, reducing eutrophication and enhancing water quality. Restored reefs provide habitat for fish, invertebrates and other marine species, supporting fisheries and ecotourism. Oyster reefs also offer natural shoreline protection, reducing future expenses associated with marine infrastructure maintenance and climate adaptation. BELREEFS’s interdisciplinary collaboration and multistakeholder approaches, combining industry, academia and public sector expertise, maximize cost-efficiency in innovation and monitoring. The project leverages spat-on-substrate production systems, specialized reef deployment tools and advanced monitoring and sensing technologies. These tools and methods are scalable and transferable to similar temperate marine environments worldwide, enabling broader application in biodiversity restoration, offshore energy projects and sustainable aquaculture. From a regulatory perspective, BELREEFS is a forward-looking investment. It aligns with the EU Nature Restoration Law, Belgium’s new legal mandates for nature-inclusive offshore energy development, and increasing demands from investors and certification bodies for biodiversity-positive projects. By exceeding these emerging standards, Jan De Nul enhances its strategic positioning as a preferred partner for marine renewable energy and offshore infrastructure development, potentially reducing permitting delays and legal risk exposure. The project advances nature-inclusive design and biodiversity restoration that can be economically viable, regulation-compliant and ecologically impactful. References: BELREEFS: First Offshore Pilot Project for large-scale Oyster Reef Restoration in the Belgian part of the North Sea - Belgium for BiodiversityLarge-scale oyster reed restoration in the North Sea - Jan de NulGreen light for oyster bank restoration projects Belreefs - Jan de Nul Belgium BELREEFS - Native Restoration Alliance (NORA)](https://fws.weforum.org/images/casestudies/aJYTG0000000sJl4AI/standard)
Belgium
BELREEFS: Large-scale offshore oyster reef restoration in the Belgian North Sea
![Project overview Spain’s energy transition is guided by its National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan (NECP), which targets 81% renewable electricity, 48% renewable energy in final consumption and a 55% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 (compared to 2005 levels).[1] With 57% of electricity already sourced from renewables in 2024 and a GDP growth of 3.2%, Spain is combining climate ambition with economic resilience. Between 2019 and 2025, installed renewable capacity increased by 78%, positioning Spain as a global leader in solar and wind power deployment. Investor confidence is supported by a robust PPA market, forward-looking regulation and clear public policy. Environmental protection and social equity remain central pillars of this transformation. Approach Spain’s strategy for responsible deployment integrates social and environmental priorities through zoning, participation and just transition mechanisms.[2] Environmental zoning and strategic assessments guide renewable development towards low-conflict areas, with a focus on degraded or industrial land to limit biodiversity impacts. Strategic environmental assessments (SEAs) are applied across planning levels, along with environmental assessment processes specific for each project, ensuring compatibility of the renewable deployment with environmental protection. Moreover, the design of public policies (i.e. grants, auctions, etc.) include, apart from economic criteria, social and environmental criteria, fostering the projects with greater local benefits. Public consultation has played a central role, including forums and structured feedback processes during the 2023-2024 NECP update. Thousands of public inputs informed policy refinements, reinforcing legitimacy and responsiveness. Social inclusion in climate policies is led by Spain’s legally mandated Just Transition Strategies, coordinated by the Institute for Just Transition (ITJ).[3] These include labour mobility schemes, reskilling programmes and gender inclusion targets. The government has signed 15 Just Transition Protocols in former coalmining, coal-fired power and closed nuclear power plant regions to support entrepreneurship, workforce reintegration and infrastructure investment. Energy communities are being piloted to enable shared ownership of clean energy systems. More than 70 pilot projects are underway, encouraging self-consumption and local value sharing. Criteria for local impact are embedded in auction design, funding mechanisms and grid access approvals – ensuring that renewable power projects deliver territorial and social benefit.[4]Business and economic value Spain’s integration of social and environmental objectives has produced measurable outcomes across energy, equity and employment. The renewable energy sector expanded 54% between 2019 and 2023 and is projected to support approximately 560,000 jobs by 2030. Just Transition Protocols in affected areas have supported worker reskilling , improved employability and promoted inclusive entrepreneurship – particularly for women. The national labour exchange system and green skills training have facilitated worker mobility and reduced employment risk in post-coal territories. Household-level benefits are also a central focus. Nationwide policies include protection for vulnerable consumers through energy bill support, incentives for clean mobility and retrofit subsidies. These interventions are helping reduce energy poverty while promoting public participation in the energy transition. Spain’s socially responsive model has strengthened investor confidence by reducing opposition and permitting delays, while also unlocking access to major public finance streams. Spain is set to receive nearly €7 billion from the EU Social Climate Fund – equivalent to 10.5% of the total – due to its early and structured approach to inclusion and equity. Taken together, these measures show how integrating fairness and participation into renewable energy development can increase system resilience, strengthen economic competitiveness and build durable public trust – making deployment faster, fairer and more effective. References:Spain updated NCEP targets 81% renewable power generation by 2030 - EnerdataSpain: Four years towards a just energy transition - Spanish Ministry for the Ecological Transition and the Demographic ChallengeFrom phasing-out to phasing-in: lessons from Spains just transition governance framework - Real Instituto ElcanoCase study Spains just transition energy tenders - Just Transition Finance Lab](https://fws.weforum.org/images/casestudies/aJYTG0000000sMz4AI/standard)
Spain
Spain’s National Integrated Energy and Climate Plan