Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) has called on private sector participants to submit information on project proposals for the introduction of a renewable energy programme at its eight commercial seaports.
TNPA said in a statement that it had recently carried out an internal audit, which indicated a need to stabilise its energy supply and costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its eight commercial seaports of Port Elizabeth, Ngqura, East London, Mossel Bay, Saldanha, Cape Town, Durban, and Richards Bay.
“The introduction of renewable energy at our ports is significantly underpinned by our corporate environmental responsibility and is a good step towards limiting contributions towards global warming,” Transnet project manager, Jarryd Introna, said.
It is anticipated that responses to Transnet’s latest Request for Information (RFI) for the project proposals will assist the parastatal to gain a better understanding of the renewable energy market, particularly for wind and solar, while considering the incorporation of other renewable energy sources. These include hybrids of hydroelectric power, ocean energy, biomass, and geothermal.
Transnet’s implementation of its Renewable Energy Programme targets the procurement of 50-80 MW of renewable energy power generation capacity that can be implemented cumulatively across its eight commercial seaports.
“As we respond to our ports authority role of delivering reliable electrical energy for our port operators and tenants, we are committed to doing so in a manner that is financially prudent, does not harm the environment, and has a developmental impact,” Introna added.
Transnet says it may release a request for proposals, after reviewing the responses, provided that it has obtained sufficient information from the RFI submissions.
The deadline for responses to the RFI is 12h00 on September 6.
RFI documents can be accessed from the National Treasury’s e-tender publication portal www.etender.gov.za and/or the Transnet website: www.transnet.net
