- South Africa’s Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has announce that a request for proposals (RFP) for renewable energy projects at will be released next month.
- This follows a Request for Information (RFI), issued in July inviting private sector participants to submit project proposals to introduce a renewable energy programme at its eight commercial seaports.
- TNPA is expected to procure of between 50 MW and 80 MW of renewable energy from independent power producers (IPP’s).
The initiative is as a result of a recent internal audit conducted by TNPA which showed the need to stabilise energy supply, cost and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the ports of Port Elizabeth, Ngqura, East London, Mossel Bay, Saldanha, Cape Town, Durban, and Richards Bay.
Approximately 30 companies have responded to the RFI, which include local and international energy industry players, ranging from experienced Independent Power Producers, consortiums of investment firms, technology developers and experienced energy generation companies amongst others.
“The proposed solutions from the respondents have exceeded our expectations and are also aligned with the National Independent Power Producer Programme. This gives us confidence in the outcomes of the RFI” said Jarryd Introna, TNPA Project Manager.
Issuing the RFI was aimed at assisting TNPA to gauge market appetite, better understand what is available in renewable energy market and what is the most suitable deployment business model aligned with the needs and demands of the seawater ports. TNPA seeks to procure 50 – 80 MW initially, of renewable energy power generation capacity that can be implemented cumulatively across all its commercial seaports.
TNPA intends to approach the market in November 2022 with a request for proposals, which will ensure that the renewable project is realised within the 2024 timeframe.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
