The National Transmission Company South Africa (NTCSA) has appointed 19 overhead-transmission line contractors to three separate supplier panels as it moves to position itself for a R32-billion build programme over the coming eight years.

The companies were selected following a tender issued in May 2023, with five of the companies having been appointed to an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) panel, nine to a procurement and construction panel, and 17 to a construction panel.

The NTCSA also reported that the EPC panel would be opened to the market in July each year to enable other companies to participate.

The 19 local companies were identified as Ady Em Technical, the Bona-GPWG JV, Imbawula Technical Services and Suppliers Group, KRM Global Works, Letacla, Melees Electrical Lines, Mico Construction, Mkhulu Electro Distribution Projects, Murray and Roberts, NYC Water and Mining, Olot Engineering, Power Line Africa, Rethuseng Live Line and Services, Siya and Aya Engineering, Siyavuya Power Projects, SKM, Take Five To Make Ten General Trading, Thenga Holdings, and Tractionel Enterprise.

The NTCSA, which began trading on July 1, said in a statement that suppliers would compete for various tenders over the coming eight years, and for contracts valued at about R32-billion.

Interim CEO Segomoco Scheppers indicated that the appointments were designed to accelerate the development of the transmission infrastructure through partnerships.

In addition, the contracting strategy aimed to both reduce lead times against the Transmission Development Plan’s (TDP’s) delivery schedule and to promote localisation.

“Having the three panels provides flexibility in the procurement strategy approach and ensures inclusivity of all contractor capabilities.

“The services to be provided will encompass engineering detailed designs, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and handover of assets to the NTCSA.”

In June, five transformer companies were appointed to a panel of suppliers that will compete for upcoming contracts for a total of 101 large-scale transformers to be installed as part of the TDP.

A tender for the first 26 power transformers was issued to the suppliers in April and this first batch of large-scale transformers is expected to be delivered to the NTCSA between 12 to 36 months from the placement of orders, which could be valued at R7-billion.

Eskom, which made the appointment ahead of NTCSA’s operationalisation, confirmed with Engineering News that the following companies had been selected to the transformer panel: Hitachi Energy South Africa; Hyosung South Africa; Siemens Energy South Africa; the SPECO & Changzhou Toshiba Joint Venture; and Zest Weg Electric.