Eskom Holdings has issued a media statement confirming that it is seeking to identify and qualify experienced strategic renewable-energy partners for up to 6 GW of utility-scale renewable-energy and battery energy storage system (BESS) projects to be implemented by Eskom Green, when it is fully incorporated.

Engineering News reported on October 6 that the State-owned group had released a request for qualification (RFQ) invitation to identify entities for the establishment of a panel of pre-qualified co-development and co-investment partners for what Eskom terms a ‘Phase 1 Programme’.

The projects were not identified, but Eskom said it would contribute projects comprising at least 2 GW of solar PV and 1 GW/4 GWh of BESS, which could be complemented by projects owned or originated by the selected strategic partners.

“Each project contributed by Eskom under the Phase 1 Programme has an allocated site, with associated land, environmental authorisations and grid connection access in progress and is anticipated to be housed in a ring-fenced special purpose vehicle, financed predominantly on a limited- or non-recourse project-finance basis and similarly to those projects that are expected from the strategic partner,” Eskom’s statement reads.

The RFQ represents the first stage in a two-stage procurement process, with the second to involve a request for proposals process involving the qualifying entities.

As part of the RFQ phase, the prospective strategic partners must demonstrate their technical capability, development track records and financial capacity to co-develop, finance, construct, operate and maintain a portfolio of utility-scale renewable-energy projects.

Eskom said the programme forms part of Eskom's strategy to diversify generation technologies, support South Africa's energy transition and expand access to cleaner sources of electricity for customers.

The initiative has been launched amid moves by government to procure additional battery energy storage capacity, as well as confirmation by Electricity and Energy Minister Dr Kgosientsho Ramokgopa that Eskom Green will be permitted to participate in any public procurement bidding round launched following a new section 34 Ministerial Determination, which includes an allocation for 4 600 MW of BESS with four-hour storage.