Eskom runs tender for 19.5 MW of solar in South Africa

State-owned utility Eskom has kicked off a tender for the design, engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning of a 19.5 MW solar plant located at the 105.8 MW Sere wind farm in South Africa’s Western Cape province.

The selected contractor will also handle operations and maintenance for the first two years. The plant, featuring ground-mounted solar panels with a lifespan of at least 25 years, will cover less than 20 hectares. It will connect to the 132 kV Skaapvlei substation via a 132/22 kV transformer. The 19.5 MW facility is the first phase of several planned projects, with long-term goals to expand capacity to 600 MW, depending on feasibility studies.

The tender is open until September 12, 2024. Eskom hopes to award the contract in November 2024, allowing for construction to begin in 2025.