South African Coal Power Plant Site To Host Solar Project

• Eskom has announced a new bidding process for a 75 MW AC solar power plant 
• It will come up at the utility's coal-fired Lethabo Power Station in the Free State 
• The utility said it will accept bids to the tender call till June 4, 2024 

South Africa's sole electricity utility Eskom Holdings has launched a competitive solicitation process to select bidders for a 75 MW AC solar power plant at its coal-fired Lethabo Power Station in the Free State Province. 

Eskom's Lethabo Power Station comprises 6×618 MW production units. It is located between Vereeniging and Sasolburg in the Free State. 

The broad scope of work for the winner will be design, engineering, supply, procurement, construction, installation, testing and commissioning. The duties will also encompass operation and maintenance (O&M) services for the project.  

Eskom launched the tender on April 4, 2024, and will admit bids till June 4, 2024, when it opens the bids. A site visit is scheduled to be held on April 19, 2024. Tender documents are available on Eskom's website.  

Earlier, Eskom received $497 million in World Bank financing to install 220 MW solar and wind, and 150 MW storage capacity to repurpose its Komati Coal-Fired Power Plant (see Renewables To Replace South African Coal Power Plant).