Department of Electricity & Energy Tender: RFQ Phase I of Independent Transmission Projects (ITP)

On **August 4, 2025**, the **Department of Electricity & Energy (DEE)** officially launched the **first phase of its ITP procurement programme**, rolling out a Request for Pre‑Qualification (RFQ) under procurement code **DEE/001/2025/26**. This major initiative seeks to mobilize private-sector developers to build, operate, and finance high‑voltage transmission infrastructure across multiple regions. 

### ⚡ Project Overview

* **Tender Type**: Request for Pre‑Qualification (RFQ)

* **Programme**: Phase I of Independent Transmission Projects (ITP)

* **Scope**: Approximately **1,164 km of 400 kV transmission lines**, plus **2,630 MVA of substation transformation capacity**, spread across seven key corridors in the **Northern Cape**, **North West**, and **Gauteng** provinces. 

This is part of South Africa’s broader Transmission Development Plan, which forecasts the need for over **14,000 km of new power lines** by 2034 to support the transition to a renewable-driven power system. 

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### 🎤 Why This Tender Matters

* This RFQ marks the **first major opening of South Africa’s grid to private infrastructure investment**, prioritizing new transmission capacity in high-priority renewable energy corridors. ([Polity.org.za][3])

* It is backed by a **€500 million (USD 570 million) German development loan**, raising total external funding support to over €1.3 billion. This forms part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership financial architecture. 

* A **Credit Guarantee Vehicle (CGV)** will be established to de-risk private investment. Treasury will provide an initial 20% capital guarantee. The CGV is scheduled to be operational by mid‑2026. 

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### 🗓 Important Dates & Procurement Process

* **RFQ Released**: 30 July 2025 (available upon payment of the documentation fee) 

* **Documentation Fee**: R150,000 (non-refundable; required before RFQ access) 

* **RFQ Submission Deadline**: **23 September 2025** ([Engineering News][5])

* **Registration Cut-Off**: Approximately 20 days before submission deadline—exact date will be communicated via the ITP programme portal 

* **Submission Address**: Responses to be delivered to the IPP Office in Pretoria. 

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### ✅ Eligibility Criteria for Pre‑Qualification

Only consortia and entities with the following characteristics should apply:

* **Technical Capability**: Proven design and construction experience for high-voltage transmission lines (400 kV) and substations.

* **Financial Capacity**: Ability to self-finance or mobilize CAPEX in large-scale infrastructure.

* **Experience**: Track record in managing infrastructure constraints and expedited delivery timelines.

* **Compliance**: Registration on Central Supplier Database and adherence to policy frameworks. 

Pre‑qualified bidders will be invited to participate in a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) in 2026, which will detail concession models including likely build-operate-own-transfer terms over 25–30 years. 

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### 🔍 Next Steps for Applicants

1. **Pay the documentation fee** and receive RFQ access after July 30.

2. **Register your participation** via the ITP online portal as soon as possible.

3. **Compile and submit RFQ response** by 23 September, including:

   * Company or consortium profile,

   * Financial track record,

   * Technical approach,

   * Evidence of relevant infrastructure experience.

4. **Submit all documents physically or electronically** to the IPP Office in Centurion before the closing hour.

Incomplete or late submissions will be disqualified. Only compliant and pre-qualified bidders will be considered for the next phase.

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### 🧠 Why You Should Consider Applying

* **First-mover advantage** in a long-term energy infrastructure procurement pipeline.

* **Potential revenue through 25-year concession** contracts via NTCSA.

* **Access to blended finance instruments**, including CGV-backed risk mitigation measures.

* **Contribution to South Africa’s energy transformation**, integrating renewables into grid architecture.

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## 🖱 Apply Online Now

Are you part of a consortium or business with the capacity to deliver large-scale transmission infrastructure?

✅ **Apply Online Now** — pay the documentation fee, register, and submit your pre‑qualification response.

Make sure your response is clear, compliant, and delivered before the **23 September 2025 deadline**.

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### 📌 Summary

* **RFQ for Phase I of ITP launched**: 4 August 2025

* **Scope**: 1,164 km of 400 kV lines across three provinces

* **Deadline**: 23 September 2025

* **Fee**: R150,000 non-refundable document purchase

* **Who should apply**: technically and financially capable consortiums