Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has extended its Request for Proposals (RFP) deadline for the Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) Terminal Project to July 14.
The ports authority announced the deadline extension in a statement on Friday after industry stakeholders appealed for more time to prepare their terminal operator proposals.
“This follows a request from a number of potential bidders to the RFP for an extension, based on justifiable reasons provided. Some of the reasons cited include allowing time to conclude negotiation agreements, setting up a consortium and its financial structures, as well as necessary feasibility studies appreciating the quality of bids that they would want to submit,” TNPA said.
It issued an RFP seeking to appoint a terminal operator to design, construct, maintain and operate a Liquefied Natural Gas Terminal at the Port of Richards Bay in December 2023.
This project is in line with the Integrated Resource Plan (IRP) 2019 which is expected to deliver up to 3 000 MW of gas-to-power by 2027. This is also to ensure that the country will have consistent new generation capacity coming on stream to mitigate against load-shedding, as well as provide diverse energy resources.
TNPA oil and gas sector specialist, Linda Myeza, said concerns raised by bidders were valid, although the later deadline would delay the project.
“We’re aware that the new timelines will have an impact on the overall project schedule in respect of the delivery targets. However, considering concerns raised by potential bidders, we consented to an extension of the bid process and are confident that this will also ensure that TNPA receives quality bids for this critical project,” Myeza said.
“It is imperative that TNPA ensures a fair, transparent, and efficient process in attaining a preferred bidder, hence it was important to listen to the various requests from the potential bidders.”
The ports authority said it was “encouraged” by the participation of diverse entities in the process, and was looking forward to receiving quality bids.
It aims to appoint a terminal operator by the end of October.
RFP documents can be accessed from the National Treasury’s e-tender publication portal
www.etenders.gov.za and https://transnetetenders.azurewebsites.net/Home/TenderDetails?Id=19592
