Eskom Green, Eskom Holdings’ renewable energy subsidiary, invites Requests for Qualification (RfQ) by 30 November. Eskom Green said that the RFQ marks the first stage of a procurement process to identify a partner with the financial strength, technical expertise, development experience and long-term commitment required to advance this nationally significant infrastructure asset. The proposed facility will be developed through a strategic partnership model involving private-sector participation in financing, development and implementation.
Tubatse is one of 12 projects to have been designated a Strategic Integrated Project by the national infrastructure investment coordinator, Infrastructure South Africa (ISA), and is part of the Just Energy Transition (JET) energy and economic programme.
The landmark energy-storage project, which is set to become South Africa’s largest pumped-storage scheme, is being developed to support the integration of increasing volumes of renewable energy into South Africa’s electricity system strengthen energy security and support South Africa’s transition to a more resilient, low-carbon electricity system.
According to Eskom Green, the project near Roossenekal in the north-eastern province of Limpopo, bordering Botswana, Mozambique and Zimbabwe, should be able to generate at full output for up to 14 hours, which should help providing grid balancing, peak-shaving and system flexibility services. Eskom said “several offtake avenues” are being pursued, although the utility’s preferred route would be to allocate capacity under its Integrated Resource Plan of 2025, which would then enable Eskom to enter a long-term power purchase agreement (PPA) or capacity agreement. The buyer would be the National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA). Tubatse builds on more than two decades of Eskom’s experience in operating and maintaining pumped-storage schemes and conventional hydropower plants, including the 1332 MW Ingula pumped-storage scheme. Eskom currently operates 2732MW of pumped-storage capacity at the Drakensberg, Palmiet and Ingula plants, as well as 661 MW of conventional hydroelectric capacity, primarily at Gariep and Vanderkloof.
The required land has been secured, Environmental Authorization has been granted for the scheme, and key technical studies and access-road designs have reached an advanced stage. Grid connection studies have also advanced, and the Department of Water and Sanitation has confirmed water availability from the De Hoop Dam. Together, these milestones distinguish Tubatse from an early-stage concept and provide prospective partners with the opportunity to invest in an advanced development platform where critical enabling work is either complete or well progressed, Eskom Green said in its tender notice.
Eskom is seeking financially capable partners with proven pumped storage or large-infrastructure experience, the ability to finance and deliver bankable projects, and a credible commitment to local economic development in South Africa. The project is anticipated to be housed in a ring-fenced Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The parties intend to explore funding options, subject to bankability which may include limited-recourse debt, potentially supplemented by Development Finance Institution, concessional or other approved funding instruments. The detailed partnership, ownership and commercial terms will be set out in the RfP issued to qualified respondents.
Qualified respondents with the requisite experience and financial capability will be invited to participate in the Request for Proposal (RfP) stage to follow. A virtual, non-compulsory clarification meeting will be held on 29 October 2026 from 11:00 to 13:00 SAST on MS Teams. Responses to RFQ No. E3611GXR must be submitted electronically via the Eskom e-tendering portal by 30 November 2026 at 10:00 SAST.
