• Eskom is calling on firms with experience in the renewable energy sector to assist it in establishing a renewable energy business.
• This as Eskom moves to incorporate renewable energy more seriously into its energy mix.
• Tender submissions are open until 7th May.

Do you have experience establishing and running a renewable energy business? Well then Eskom needs you.

The energy utility has started a tender process in which it is calling on experienced firms to help it accelerate the deployment of renewable energy solutions. The process will see submissions open until 7th May at 10:00 and the firm selected will need to provide support for 12 months. Firms will be evaluated on a number of criteria including whether it has a proven track record in establishing a renewable energy company, how many public-private partnerships have been established and other aspects of the business.

“Agility and efficiency is at the heart of preparing for a competitive marketplace and ensuring we serve our current and future customers with the electricity supply solutions they require,” explained Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.

“We are now a year into our turnaround strategy and we are not just focused on ending loadshedding, at the same time we are pivoting Eskom into a sustainable and competitive company while ensuring security of supply.”

The utility is adamant that renewable energy will form a core part of its energy mix despite having dragged its feet for years when it comes to implementing renewable energy at any sort of scale. Eskom reports that it has an executable initial pipeline of 2GW of clean energy that it needs to complete by next year and a total of 20GW of renewable energy in the offing.

We have to give Eskom credit, the move to draw expertise from outside of the fold is admirable and hopefully, means that the renewables that eventually feed the grid will be reliable.

“To make a meaningful impact in the renewables space we recognised that the most cost-effective way to do this is to bring in at the start some new skills, thinking and expertise to set our Eskom teams up for success in the business, so through knowledge transfer we can execute strategic initiatives in a competitive market faster and more efficiently. The creation of our renewable energy business also forms part of Eskom’s focus both in this country and internationally to identify the latest developments and strategies to reduce carbon emissions and other air pollutants,” the CEO said.

The utility says that it will provide updates regarding the establishing of this renewable business throughout the year but seeing as the call for tenders closes in May, it could take a while before the business is up and running.