TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) has issued a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a 3 MW solar-powered renewable plant at the Port of East London as Transnet seeks to manage energy costs and reduce emissions by diversifying its energy mix through alternative energy sources and renewable energy.
This RFP aims to appoint a service provider to design, build, test, commission, operate and maintain the 3 MW photovoltaic (PV) that has a battery energy storage system at the Port of East London for a period of seven years. The plant’s construction will include a grid-tied carport solar PV and rooftop plant system to generate the required capacity.
The project is part of TNPA’s Renewable Energy Purchase Programme to deploy approximately 100 MW across all eight South African commercial seaports.
TNPA’s acting chief executive, Advocate Phyllis Difeto, said, “The implementation of this programme within the port system entrenches TNPA’s contribution towards sustainable and cost-effective ports. The Ports Authority is actively working towards climate change resilience, mitigation, and adaptation by deploying cleaner and cheaper energy solutions, in line with the Carbon Neutral Government Programme, which requires public entities to be carbon neutral by 2050, and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) strategy which advances safer economies for net zero emissions.”
Within this programme, the Port of Ngqura is currently in the process of appointing a service provider to develop a 7 MW renewable plant, while the Amulet Group Consortium has been awarded the 20 MW plant in the Port of Richards Bay, following its appointment in June 2024.