Interest in renewable energy production in South Africa is soaring, and there are no signs of a let-up.
According to the 2025 Large-Scale Renewable Energy Market Intelligence Report, private investors are expected to inject R132 billion into the procurement of 9.5 GW of new solar and wind capacity by 2030.
That’s over and above the 14,771 MW of new generation capacity facilitated through the government’s Renewable Energy IPP Procurement Program (REIPPPP).
Businesses intent on tapping into the rampant growth of renewables are ideally positioned to benefit from a myriad of opportunities.
That’s only true of installers and suppliers who have sufficient funding to cover project costs, are able to meet tender requirements and submit compelling bids.
Here’s a round-up of actionable tips and strategies for securing renewable energy tenders.
1. Visit the project site
Depending on the scale of the project, bidders may be expected to conduct an environmental impact assessment and/or get approvals from various government departments for the use of the site.
By visiting the site beforehand, you can identify any challenges or obstructions that could delay the approvals, or negatively affect your installation and the cost of the project.
2. Research the tendering authority
If the issuing authority of the tender is not a public entity, take the time to get to know the organisation. Familiarise yourself with the company culture, environmental and sustainability goals and any other renewable projects they’ve been involved in.
Once you have a good idea of what they expect from a project, you can align your bid accordingly.
3. Evaluate your business capabilities
In South Africa, tenders have unique requirements. They range from BBBEE compliance to local content demands, where a specified percentage of components and labour must be sourced locally.
Before pursuing a tender, determine whether your business has the capabilities to meet the tender requirements. If it does, start collecting financial and technical data to support the bid.
4. Highlight your technology and equipment
When writing the bid, start off with a concise description of the type of technology and equipment you will be using, and why it’s the best option in terms of cost and effectiveness.
Avoid getting too technical. The bid adjudicators are not necessarily engineers. Keep things simple and easy to understand.
5. Use data visualisation and infographics
Presenting reams of figures and complex calculations can be off-putting, especially when the bid adjudicator has limited time to assess submissions.
A better way to share data and technical information is through charts, graphs, maps and graphics. By integrating data visualisations into your bid, you can transform complex data sets into images that anyone can quickly understand.
The use of infographics is a great way to get your message across, map past performance, and reveal key facts, figures and specifications.
6. Zoom in on experience, qualifications and track record
Make a point of emphasising your team’s qualifications and experience in completing similar projects.
Include the length of time your business has been in operation, and the total number of megawatts you’ve installed.
The production of renewable energy is a long-term project that requires a long-term commitment from the supplier. The more the tendering authority knows about you and your company, the better.
7. Emphasise ‘value-for-money’
It’s not always the cheapest bid that’s awarded a tender. It’s the bid deemed to be the most economically advantageous – the value-for-money proposition.
When assessing a bid, the adjudicator looks at more than cost. Factors like technical ability, quality, sustainability, innovation and the ability to fulfil the tender on time are all taken into account.
8. Support the bid with financials and accreditation certificates
In South Africa, bidders are expected to demonstrate feasibility. In other words, your business must be registered, financially stable and compliant with quality and safety standards.
By adding documents to your bid – the company’s tax clearance certificate, CIDB registration document, BBBEE certificate and accreditation with industry bodies like the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association – can prove feasibility, and expedite the adjudication process.
What we offer at BizFunding
At BizFunding, we know how difficult it is for SMEs to meet the financial requirements of tenders. That’s why we’ve come up with tender funding based on the profit-sharing model.
We pay the suppliers and take care of the running costs on your behalf, and even assist with the execution of the tender. In return, we take a share of the profit, which is paid to us once the client pays you.
