Eskom Holdings has launched the search for a strategic partner to help deliver the 1.5GW Tubatse Pumped Storage Scheme (Tubatse Project) in Limpopo, a landmark energy-storage project set to become South Africa’s largest pumped storage scheme. As a flagship development within Eskom Green, the project will provide the long-duration energy storage needed to integrate increasing volumes of renewable energy into the national grid, strengthen energy security and support South Africa’s transition to a more resilient, low-carbon electricity system.
Eskom Green is a utility-scale renewable energy business that aims to accelerate the options available to South Africa’s industries to decarbonise, support the energy transition, strengthen productive capacity, and drive regional industrialisation. Eskom Green is set to increase the supply of renewable energy, enabling customers to reduce the carbon footprint of their energy consumption.
Through a Request for Qualification process (RFQ No. E3611GXR), Eskom is inviting experienced and financially capable organisations to qualify to participate in the development, financing and delivery of the Tubatse Project. The RFQ marks the first stage of a competitive process to identify a partner with the financial strength, technical expertise, development experience and long-term commitment required to advance this nationally significant infrastructure asset. Qualified respondents will be invited to participate in a subsequent Request for Proposal (RFP) stage.
Located near Roossenekal in Limpopo Province, the proposed 1.5GW facility will provide approximately 21GWh of energy storage through four reversible pump-turbine units. Able to generate at full output for up to 14 hours, the scheme will help balance the power system, support greater renewable-energy integration and enhance grid reliability.
Eskom Green is pursuing a growth pathway targeting up to 6GW by 2030, with plans to expand its clean energy portfolio to 21GW by 2035 and up to 32GW by 2040, including 5GW of hydro and pumped storage. The Tubatse Project RFQ follows the launch of the RFQ for Eskom Green’s Phase 1 Programme of up to 6GW of utility-scale renewable energy and energy storage projects. Hybrid, wind, solar, BESS, hydro and pumped hydro storage portfolios enable Eskom Green to deliver firmer, more flexible supply aligned to diverse customer demand profiles including 24/7 supply profiles.
“Tubatse is more than a pumped storage project. It is a cornerstone of Eskom Green’s ambition to develop the infrastructure required for a modern, low-carbon electricity system. By combining Eskom’s development experience with private-sector expertise and investment, we aim to unlock the full potential of this project while supporting economic growth, localisation and skills development,” said Rivoningo Mnisi, Group Executive: Renewables.
“As South Africa advances its energy transition, long-duration storage will be essential to maintaining a reliable and resilient power system. Tubatse will provide the flexibility needed to integrate increasing volumes of renewable energy while strengthening grid stability and security of supply,” said Dan Marokane, Eskom Group Chief Executive.
Strategic rationale: storage at the heart of security of supply
Tubatse is more than a power station. It is critical infrastructure for a modern electricity system that must absorb growing volumes of wind and solar power while staying stable and reliable.
Tubatse will store surplus electricity when demand is low and release it during peak demand, when wind and solar output drops, or when the grid is under strain. This will help reduce wasted renewable energy, make better use of existing generation and strengthen security of supply.
As the penetration of variable renewable generation increases, the power system will require a balanced portfolio of storage technologies with different durations and operating characteristics. With up to 14 hours of storage, Tubatse will complement shorter-duration battery systems by supporting the grid through extended peak-demand periods. The scheme will also provide essential grid-stability services, including fast frequency response, operating reserves and voltage support.
Eskom is pursuing several offtake avenues for the Project. Its preferred route is an allocation of pumped storage capacity under the Integrated Resource Plan of 2025, followed by a ministerial determination under section 34 of the Electricity Regulation Act, 2006 (Act No. 4 of 2006), as amended by the Electricity Regulation Amendment Act, 2024 (Act No. 38 of 2024). Such a determination will support a long-term power purchase or capacity agreement with the National Transmission Company South Africa SOC Ltd (“NTCSA”) as a buyer (a “Section 34 PPA”). Eskom has begun the process of seeking this allocation.
Accordingly, the Strategic Partner will be expected to develop and structure a bankable investment case that works under either outcome: (a) where the Project, or part of it, receives a Section 34 allocation and is contracted under a Section 34 PPA; and (b) where the Project’s capacity is contracted, wholly or partly, in the bilateral and emerging competitive market. Route (b) may include bilateral offtake and wheeling arrangements with private buyers, ancillary and system services, and energy trading, subject to the applicable regulatory framework.
The project has been classified as one of the top 12 national priority projects, designated as a Strategic Integrated Project (SIP 20d) by Infrastructure South Africa and forms part of the Just Energy Transition (JET) Programme.
Investment proposition and development readiness
Tubatse builds on more than two decades of Eskom’s experience in operating and maintaining pumped storage schemes and conventional hydropower plants, including the delivery of the 1 332MW Ingula Pumped Storage Scheme, commissioned in 2017. Eskom currently operates 2 732MW of pumped storage capacity across Drakensberg, Palmiet and Ingula, as well as 661MW of conventional hydroelectric capacity, primarily at Gariep and Vanderkloof.
The required land has been secured, Environmental Authorisation has been granted for the scheme, and key technical studies and access-road designs have reached an advanced stage. Grid connection studies have also advanced, and the Department of Water and Sanitation has confirmed water availability from De Hoop Dam.
Together, these milestones distinguish Tubatse from an early-stage concept and provide prospective partners with the opportunity to invest in an advanced development platform where critical enabling work is either complete or well progressed.
Eskom is seeking financially capable partners with proven pumped storage or large-infrastructure experience, the ability to finance and deliver bankable projects, and a credible commitment to local economic development in South Africa.
The project is anticipated to be housed in a ring-fenced Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV). The parties intend to explore funding options, subject to bankability which may include limited-recourse debt, potentially supplemented by Development Finance Institution DFI, concessional or other approved funding instruments. The detailed partnership, ownership and commercial terms will be set out in the RFP issued to qualified respondents.
How to respond
A virtual, non-compulsory clarification meeting will be held on 29 October 2026 from 11:00 to 13:00 SAST on MS Teams. Responses must be submitted electronically via the Eskom e-tendering portal by 30 November 2026 at 10:00 SAST.