South Africa’s government has revised the procurement timetable for Phase I of its Independent Transmission Projects programme. The final request for proposals (RFP), previously targeted for release in Q3 2026, is now targeted for Q2 2027.
The revised date is a target for releasing the final RFP. It is not a date for bid submissions or contract awards.
Another draft before the final RFP
Before the end of 2026, the government plans to provide a second draft RFP package to the seven pre-qualified bidders. It also plans a further targeted consultation to identify remaining bankability issues. That leaves an additional review stage before the final procurement documents are released.
Scope of the first phase
Phase I covers approximately 1,164 kilometres of new transmission infrastructure. Engineering News also describes associated substation infrastructure across seven preselected corridors. The scale of the proposed work makes the RFP timetable relevant to companies assessing potential participation in transmission construction and its supply chain.
What the change means for the market
For the pre-qualified bidders, the immediate next step is the planned second draft and consultation, rather than the final RFP. The government has also said it intends to develop a programmatic pipeline of Independent Transmission Projects, which it says could give investors, lenders and the transmission supply chain greater visibility of future demand.
