Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has published a request for proposals (RFP) for the development of a 3 MW solar-powered renewable energy plant at the Port of East London.

TNPA says the plan to build the plant is in line with its strategy to include alternative and renewable sources of energy to manage energy costs and reduce emissions.

This RFP aims to appoint a service provider to design, build, test, commission, operate and maintain the PV plant, including a battery energy storage system for a period of seven years, according to TNPA.

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 the ports authority’s renewable energy purchase programme to deploy approximately 100 MW of renewable energy across the country’s eight commercial sea 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 strategy, which advances safer economies for net zero emissions,” said TNPA Acting Chief Executive, Phyllis Difeto.

As part of the programme, the Port of Ngqura is in the process of appointing a service provider to develop a 7 MW renewable plant. The Amulet Group Consortium recently won the bid to construct a 20 MW plant in the Port of Richards Bay.

The RFP document can be accessed on the Transnet e-tender portal or via the National Treasury eTenders portal here.