Open Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Eskom — Selection of Strategic Partners for up to 6 GW of Utility-Scale Renewable Energy Projects (5-Year Programme)
Ref.E3612GXRIssued2026-10-02Deadline2026-11-16
Up to 6 GW (solar PV, BESS, wind and other renewables)
Planned Capacity
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
Contracting Authority
2026-11-16 10:00 (SAST)
Submission Deadline
01Project Overview
Project Name
Selection of Strategic Partners for the development, financing and implementation of up to 6 GW of utility-scale renewable energy projects (solar PV, BESS, wind and other renewable technologies) for a period of 5 years
Reference
Tender number E3612GXR; procurement method is a Request for Qualifications (RFQ)
Country
Republic of South Africa
Contracting Authority
Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd
Procurement Method
Open Request for Qualifications issued and submitted through the Eskom e-Tendering platform (eTendering.eskom.co.za)
Scope
Selection of Strategic Partners to participate in the development, financing and implementation of utility-scale renewable energy projects, covering both Eskom-owned and Strategic Partner-owned or originated projects
Bid Security
No bid security amount is disclosed in the notice
Source
South African National Treasury eTenders official portal (
https://www.etenders.gov.za/Home/opportunities?id=1, searchable by tender number), tender number E3612GXR, procuring entity Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd; official tender document "RFQ for the selection of Strategic Partners… up to 6GW" (
official RFQ (PDF)). Published 2 Oct 2026, verified 10 Oct 2026
Background Sources
Eskom official website (
https://www.eskom.co.za/), which sets out its position as South Africa's state-owned electricity utility and its generation, transmission and distribution business; South Africa IPP Office (
https://www.ipp-renewables.co.za/), which sets out the institutional role of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (REIPPPP); National Energy Regulator of South Africa (NERSA) (
https://www.nersa.org.za/)
02Project Background
This Request for Qualifications is issued by Eskom Holdings SOC Ltd. Its preamble states that South Africa's energy transition presents a generational opportunity to strengthen energy security, accelerate economic growth and build a more sustainable electricity system; Eskom Green, once incorporated, will be the business that delivers utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage, leveraging the strategic assets, technical capabilities and power system understanding at its disposal to facilitate renewable energy investment and project delivery.
The notice states that Eskom Green will pursue a growth pathway targeting up to 6 GW by 2030, with aspirations to expand its clean energy portfolio to 21 GW by 2035 and up to 32 GW by 2040; this pathway is aligned with the objectives of South Africa's Integrated Resource Plan (IRP 2025).
Eskom Green is positioned as the customer's primary energy provider: the customer contracts with Eskom Green for its core renewable energy requirements, and Eskom Green is responsible for meeting that requirement using its own renewable generation, supplemented by storage and firming arrangements. The Strategic Partners selected through this process will participate in the development, financing and implementation of such projects.
The procurement is conducted in two stages: Stage 1 assesses mandatory qualification criteria on a pass or fail basis, and Stage 2 applies a weighted functionality evaluation; a response that fails any mandatory criterion is rendered non-responsive and is disqualified. Responses must be submitted online through the Eskom e-Tendering platform.
03Scope of Work & Technical Specifications
| Item | Content |
|---|
| Scope of Selection | Selection of Strategic Partners to participate in the development, financing and implementation of utility-scale renewable energy projects |
| Technologies Covered | Solar Photovoltaic (PV), Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), wind and other renewable technologies |
| Planned Capacity | Up to 6 GW |
| Project Origination | Covers both Eskom-owned projects and Strategic Partner-owned or originated projects |
| Partnership Term | 5 years |
| Subsequent Stage | Respondents that pass this qualification process and meet the functionality threshold proceed to the subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) stage |
| Submission Platform | Submitted online through the Eskom e-Tendering platform (eTendering.eskom.co.za) |
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04Key Commercial Terms
| Item | Content |
|---|
| Partnership Term | 5 years from the effectiveness of the relevant agreement |
| Response Validity | 4 months from the closing date and time, unless extended by Eskom |
| Contracting Arrangement | Selected partners will enter into a Transaction Agreement with Eskom; the transfer of the business to Eskom Green (once incorporated) will not change the evaluation criteria, thresholds or weightings disclosed in this RFQ |
| Performance Security | No performance security amount or percentage is disclosed in the notice |
| Submission Method | Submitted online through the Eskom e-Tendering platform; it is the respondent's responsibility to ensure submission before the closing time |
| Tender Cost | No tender document fee is disclosed in the notice |
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05Bidder Qualification Requirements
01Eligible Respondents
A respondent may be a single entity or a consortium; a consortium must identify its Lead Member and clearly set out which member meets each criterion and the contribution relied upon
02Mandatory 1: Single-Project Experience
Successful execution of at least one utility-scale renewable energy project (solar PV and/or onshore wind) with a contracted capacity of at least 240 MW that has achieved Commercial Operation Date (COD) and remains operational
03Mandatory 2: Aggregate Experience
At least three operational utility-scale renewable energy projects (solar PV and/or onshore wind) in the portfolio, with an aggregate nameplate or contracted capacity of at least 800 MW
04Mandatory 3: Offtake Experience
Executed Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with an aggregate contracted capacity meeting any one of: non-sovereign (corporate or Large Power User) PPAs of at least 300 MW together with sovereign PPAs of at least 500 MW; or sovereign PPAs alone of at least 1,000 MW; or non-sovereign PPAs alone of at least 1,000 MW
05Mandatory 4: Financial Capacity
Must evidence a Net Asset Value (NAV) of at least R5 billion (or foreign currency equivalent); for a consortium the NAV of members may be aggregated pro rata to their participation, with each member's share clearly allocated and supported
06Evidence Required
For each qualifying project, a primary reference letter from the Lead Arranger or Facility Agent and a letter from an Independent Engineer or Lenders' Technical Advisor, setting out the project name, technology, capacity, location, parties, role and equity share, key dates and operational status, with contact details of the signatories
07Financial Evidence
Audited financial statements prepared under IFRS or recognised accounting standards and audited by an independent, reputable audit firm, for the financial year ended 31 December 2025 (or the most recent completed financial year, not older than 18 months from the submission date)
06Key Milestones
15 Oct 2026, 11:00 to 13:00 (SAST, online via MS Teams)
Non-Compulsory Clarification Meeting
16 Nov 2026, 10:00 (SAST)
Submission Deadline
4 months from the closing date and time
Response Validity
5 years from the effectiveness of the relevant agreement
Partnership Term
07Evaluation Criteria
Stage 2 — Weighted Functionality100%
- Respondents meeting all mandatory criteria proceed to the functionality evaluation, which carries a maximum of 100 points and a minimum qualifying score of 70 points required to advance to the RFP stage
- Project development capability (number of projects taken to bankability stage)20%
- Aggregate capacity developed to bankability stage20%
- Advanced projects available for execution10%
- Project-finance financial close track record10%
- Aggregate debt raised5%
- EPC delivery to commercial operation15%
- Operations & maintenance capability10%
- Portfolio scale and experience10%
Stage 1 — Mandatory Qualification CriteriaThe four mandatory criteria set out in the notice (single-project experience, aggregate experience, offtake experience and financial capacity) are assessed on a pass or fail basis; failure of any one criterion renders the response non-responsive
