- Swartland Municipality plans to procure 10 MWp of solar PV from an independent power producer under a 20 year power purchase agreement.
- The project aims to strengthen local energy resilience and reduce reliance on Eskom supply.
- The request for proposals is expected in early 2026 following completion of approvals.
Swartland Municipality has formally announced its intention to procure renewable energy from an independent power producer through a long term power purchase agreement, marking another step by a South African municipality to secure alternative electricity supply outside the national utility.
The municipality plans to enter into a 20 year power purchase agreement for the delivery of 10 MWp of solar photovoltaic energy from a NERSA registered independent power producer. The proposed generation facility will be developed on approximately 30 hectares of municipal land located on Erf 327 in Malmesbury.
According to the municipality, the site has been classified as having low environmental sensitivity and has been registered in terms of the Exclusion Norms published under Government Notice 4558 of 27 March 2024. As a result, no environmental authorisation is required for the development of the solar facility.
The project aligns with Swartland Municipality’s Integrated Development Plan, which identifies the need to improve energy security and reduce dependence on Eskom supplied electricity. In support of this objective, the municipality has completed technical, network and feasibility studies to assess the viability of procuring power from independent producers. These studies confirmed that the project is technically feasible and offers value for money.
All required internal municipal approval processes have been completed, positioning the municipality to proceed to market. Swartland Municipality has indicated that it intends to issue a formal request for proposals during March or April 2026, subject to the finalisation of RFP documentation and outstanding approvals.
The municipality emphasised that the current notice is not an invitation to bid and does not constitute an offer capable of acceptance. It also reserves the right not to proceed with the project. Interested parties will have an opportunity to engage with the municipality and seek clarification once the RFP has been formally issued.
Further information will be published on the municipal website and through media channels closer to the RFP launch date.
Link to the official notice HERE
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
Related news: Special promotion: Buy 10 get 1 FREE from GoodWe
GoodWe has an extensive distribution network across the African continent.
For enquires email: sales.africa@goodwe.com
