South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility, Eskom, has issued a tender for the engineering, procurement, and construction of a 72 MW solar project, to be located at the Komati Power Station in Mpumalanga Province.
The project forms part of the Eskom Just Energy Transition Project (EJETP), which aims to advance renewable energy infrastructure while supporting South Africa’s shift from coal dependency.
The tender invites eligible contractors to submit applications by 30 September 2025, with a pre-application meeting scheduled for 14 August 2025 via Microsoft Teams.
According to the tender details, the selected contractor will enter into a three-year turnkey contract. This includes 18 months for the design, procurement, supply, testing, and commissioning of the solar facility, followed by an additional 18 months of operations and maintenance services.
The project requires expertise in utility-scale solar PV systems, including single-axis trackers, substation integration, and compliance with stringent environmental and cyber security standards. Applicants must demonstrate a minimum average annual turnover of USD 42.5 million and experience in contracts valued at USD 51 million or more.
Solar project tender scope
Key eligibility criteria include adherence to World Bank procurement regulations, anti-corruption policies, and compliance with South Africa’s Construction Industry Development Board (CIDB) requirements. Joint ventures (JVs) are permitted but limited to three members, with each member’s qualifications assessed individually. The evaluation process will prioritize technical capability, financial stability, and past performance in similar projects.
The project site, located near Middelburg in Mpumalanga, spans 156 hectares and requires integration with Eskom’s grid at 11kV, 33kV, or 275kV. Contractors must address site-specific challenges, including geotechnical conditions, climate variability, and environmental safeguards. The scope covers full EPC services, from geotechnical surveys to commissioning, with Tier 1 equipment mandated for critical components like PV modules and inverters.
Environmental and social (ES) responsibilities are central to the contract, with requirements for managing risks such as biodiversity impact, labor conditions, and community safety. Contractors must also comply with international standards like ISO 27001 for cyber security and ISO 14001 for environmental management.
According to Eskom, applications must include detailed documentation, such as financial statements, project experience records, and declarations of eligibility. Successful applicants will proceed to the Request for Proposals (RFP) phase, expected to launch in November 2025.
