Objectives

The primary objective of this tender is to appoint a qualified professional services provider to develop a comprehensive Energy Master Plan (EMP) for Knysna Municipality, situated within the Garden Route District of Western Cape Province. The plan aims to assess existing energy infrastructure, evaluate future energy demands, identify optimal energy solutions (including renewable and off-grid options), and provide strategic recommendations for sustainable, reliable, and efficient electricity supply over a 20-year horizon. The project also seeks to facilitate stakeholder engagement, improve infrastructure planning, and align with national legislation and policies on energy and environmental sustainability.

Scope

The scope encompasses the following key activities:

• Assessment of current electrical infrastructure, network configuration, and asset register.
• Evaluation of energy service delivery options, including renewable and alternative sources.
• Analysis of network capacity, reliability, losses, and backlog identification.
• Development of a detailed Electricity Master Plan covering short, medium, and long-term infrastructure needs.
• Asset valuation and updating of the asset register and GIS data.
• Forecasting future energy demand based on demographic and economic growth patterns.
• Formulation of capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX) plans.
• Stakeholder engagement workshops and public participation processes.
• Preparation of draft and final master plans, including modeling, simulations, and strategic recommendations.
• Provision of periodic progress reports and project management documentation.

Technical Requirements

The technical requirements include:

• Comprehensive data collection on existing electrical networks, assets, and load profiles.
• Development of single-line diagrams, network models, and simulation tools compatible with Eskom and municipal software.
• Asset register compilation and valuation based on GRAP 17 standards.
• Analysis of network reliability indices (SAIDI, SAIFI), losses, and efficiency levels.
• Evaluation of alternative energy options such as solar, wind, and hybrid systems.
• Assessment of network capacity, expansion needs, and backlog mitigation strategies.
• Alignment with legislation including NERSA regulations, Climate Change Act, and other relevant policies.
• Preparation of detailed financial models, funding strategies, and project prioritization.
• Stakeholder consultation, including workshops with municipal, provincial, and national agencies.
• Delivery of draft and final reports, including modeling outputs, asset registers, and strategic plans.

Skills Requirements

The tenderer must demonstrate expertise and experience in the following areas:

• Electrical Engineering: Minimum 10 years post-registration experience, with proven capability in power system planning, network modeling, and asset management. Registered with ECSA as a Professional Engineer or Technologist.
• Urban and Regional Planning: Degree in town/regional planning with at least 5 years’ experience in infrastructure planning.
• Financial and Investment Analysis: Degree in accounting, finance, or economics, with experience in CAPEX/OPEX planning and financial modeling.
• Geo-Information Science (GISc): Professional registration with at least 5 years’ experience in spatial data management and network mapping.
• Environmental Management: Degree in environmental sciences with at least 5 years’ experience, including environmental impact assessments and sustainability considerations.
• Project Management and Stakeholder Engagement: Proven ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, facilitate stakeholder workshops, and manage project timelines and deliverables.
• Renewable Energy Expertise: Knowledge of renewable energy technologies, off-grid solutions, and integration strategies.

All key personnel must provide relevant qualifications, CVs, and proof of registration where applicable. The tenderer must also demonstrate capacity to deliver the project within the stipulated 12-month timeframe, with adequate resources and expertise.