Warning that qualifying criteria for private grid procurement could sideline domestic industry

Concern continues to be raised over the technical and financial criteria being used to prequalify bidders for South Africa’s inaugural independent transmission project (ITP) tender, which critics warn will marginalise domestic industry – notwithstanding a stipulation that there should be a minimum 49% South African equity participation. Government has initiated a two-stage ITP procurement process, with the request for qualification (RFQ) documentation currently available for a non-refundable fee of R150 000 and with a submission deadline of September 23 having been set.