Eskom has issued a tender for the design, supply, installation and refurbishment of microgrid storage containers in Gauteng.
The work is on an “as-needed basis” over five years and covers solar photovoltaics (PV) and battery energy storage systems (BESS). Tenderers must show technical capability in small-scale embedded generation systems with at least five years’ relevant experience.
The tender documents do not identify specific sites, installed capacity, contract value or the expected number of microgrid containers. However, the work is linked to Eskom’s Gauteng Customer Network Centres. A functional specification in the tender pack says the objective is to install alternative energy sources at these centres “to reduce the impact on business operations during load shedding”.
The system scope includes solar PV panels, BESS, inverters, control and communication equipment, building energy management services, low-voltage services, metering and load management as well as fire detection and suppression, earthing, lighting and lightning protection. Tenderers must hold the required electrical, PV, original equipment manufacturer, safety and professional certifications, licences and registrations.
Broad-based black economic empowerment status is included in the preference point scoring but is not listed as a disqualifying requirement.
The outcome will be the award of multiple contracts to between one and 10 contractors with funds allocated equally among the appointed suppliers, Eskom says in the invitation to tender.
A briefing session is scheduled for June 18. Submissions close on July 3.
