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Eskom Initiates RFQ for 6 GW Renewables and 1 GW/4 GWh Battery Storage
Eskom, South Africa's state-owned power utility, has launched a Request for Qualification (RFQ) for a 6 GW renewable energy program. This includes the deployment of at least 1 GW / 4 GWh of battery energy storage systems (BESS). Qualified developers will be invited to subsequent competitive procurement rounds.
Eskom, South Africa's state-owned power utility, has taken a significant step in the energy transition by launching a Request for Qualification (RFQ) process. This procedure aims to select developers for the initial phase of a comprehensive program. The program is designed to deploy up to 6 GW of utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects.
The "Eskom Phase 1 Programme" encompasses an initial portfolio of projects, including solar photovoltaic (PV), battery energy storage systems (BESS), wind, and other renewable technologies. Eskom intends to contribute projects comprising at least 2 GW of solar PV and 1 GW / 4 GWh of BESS. These may be complemented by projects owned or originated by selected strategic partners. These partners will form a panel of pre-qualified co-development and co-investment entities for a five-year period.
Qualified developers will be invited to participate in subsequent competitive procurement rounds, which will be conducted through one or more Requests for Proposals (RFPs). The planned portfolio includes projects initiated by Eskom on utility-owned land and at existing generation sites. Additionally, it features projects owned or originated by strategic partners, which can be developed, acquired, or implemented in partnership with Eskom or its subsidiary, Eskom Green.
Each project is anticipated to be structured through a dedicated, ring-fenced Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). Financing will primarily be arranged on a limited-recourse or non-recourse project finance basis. These initiatives occur as Eskom, despite its reliance on coal-fired generation and diesel-fired peaking plants, has observed a significant decline in diesel expenditure compared to the previous year. South Africa has now surpassed 10 GW in cumulative installed solar capacity, with 1.6 GW added in 2025.
This development highlights the ongoing progress within the South African energy market.
The information for this article is sourced from ESS News.
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