TRANSNET National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published a Request for Proposals (RFP) for the development of a 3MW solar-powered renewable plant at the Port of East London.
The state owned transport group says this move is part of its efforts to manage energy costs and reduce emissions by diversifying its energy mix through alternative energy sources and renewable energy.
It follows the announcement it made in July that it had issued three Requests for Proposals (RFPs) for the construction of two Solar-Powered Seawater Desalination Plants and a Renewable Energy Power System at its Nelson Mandela Bay Ports.
Back then, TNPA had issued two RFPs for the design, construction and operation of Solar-Powered Seawater Desalination plants which would have a daily production capacity of approximately 0,8ml (megalitres) and 0,5ml of potable water for the ports of Port Elizabeth and Ngqura, respectively. These plants were set to improve the reliability of freshwater supply for port users.
The latest RFP it has issued aims to appoint a service provider to design, build, test, commission, operate and maintain the 3MW 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, stated, “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 7MW renewable plant, while the Amulet Group Consortium has been awarded the 20MW plant in the Port of Richards Bay, following its appointment in June 2024.
