The Transnet National Ports Authority (TNPA) yesterday announced a request for information (RFI), calling on private sector participants to submit project proposals for the introduction of a renewable energy programme at its eight commercial seaports.
The ports include Port Elizabeth, Ngqura, East London, Mossel Bay, Saldanha Bay, Cape Town, Durban and Richards Bay.
The implementation of the Renewable Energy Programme aims to see the procurement of 50MW to 80MW of renewable energy power generation capacity that can be implemented cumulatively across South Africa’s eight commercial seaports.
TNPA project manager, Jarryd Introna, said: “The introduction of renewable energy at our ports is significantly underpinned by our corporate environmental responsibility and is a big step towards limiting contributions towards global warming.”
TNPA said it had recently carried out an internal audit which indicated a need to stabilise its energy supply, costs and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at its ports.
“It is anticipated that responses to the RFI will assist TNPA to gain a better understanding of the renewable energy market, particularly for wind and solar, and considers the incorporation of other renewable energy sources such as hybrids of hydroelectric power, ocean energy, biomass and geothermal,” it said.
Introna said as TNPA responds to its ports authority role in delivering reliable electrical energy for its port operators and tenants, it was committed to doing so in a manner that was financially prudent, did not harm the environment and had a developmental impact.
BUSINESS REPORT