Eskom has launched a request for proposals to procure 291 MW of new solar capacity in South Africa, offering selected bidders long-term power purchase agreements (PPAs) for the electricity generated.

The projects, to be commissioned in phases, must each have a minimum capacity of 10 MW to qualify. Eskom will consider bids proposing PPAs of 5, 10, 15, 20, or 25 years. An online clarification meeting is scheduled for September 2, with electronic submissions due by September 19.

This new procurement round follows Eskom’s recent tender for the engineering, procurement, and construction of a 72 MW solar facility, which remains open for applications until September 30. It also comes on the heels of the South African government’s July approval of six large-scale solar plants totaling nearly 1.3 GW under the seventh bid window of its national renewable energy procurement programme.