Renewable energy + industrial sustainability
EPC selection is critical for new energy projects As more companies move to private energy supply as a preferred option for business, an important consideration oen overlooked relates to selecting the right EPC partner. Claude Peters, Managing Director at RenEnergy, notes that two solar systems, built alongside each other, can deliver materially dierent outputs over time depending on engineering quality, with long-term implications for uptime, cost, and operational continuity.
Claude Peters, RenEnergy.
I n South Africa, where we see continuing strong growth in the renewable energy sector, more companies are turning to private energy infrastructure to manage costs, reduce reliance on the grid and secure long-term power supply. Commercial solar installations, hybrid systems and o-grid solutions are increasingly becoming part of core business strategy in sectors ranging from mining and manufacturing to agriculture and logistics. The technology behind renewable energy has advanced significantly and Peters emphasises that the decision on who builds that infrastructure has become just as important as the decision to invest in it. For companies planning energy projects that may operate for 20 years or more, selecting the right engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) partner is emerging as one of the most consequential decisions in the process. Poor engineering choices, inexperienced contractors or weak operational support can undermine system performance, introduce safety risks and erode the financial case for renewable investment. As the market grows and new entrants emerge, more business leaders are asking the same question: how do we distinguish a credible EPC partner from a risky one? Why EPC selection matters now The growth in South Africa’s commercial and industrial renewable energy market over recent years has been driven by electricity supply instability, rising taris and regulatory changes that have opened the door to private generation. Companies that once relied exclusively on a single national supplier are now entering long-term infrastructure partnerships with private energy providers. That shi£ fundamentally changes the decision-making process.
“Now that companies can choose a partner for their energy infrastructure, that decision should not be driven by cost alone,” Peters says. “There are many other factors that matter first.” Unlike short-term operational purchases, energy infrastructure projects operate on timelines of decades. A poorly designed or poorly maintained system may continue to operate for years but at significantly lower performance levels. “You can install two solar systems of exactly the same size next to each other,” Peters says, “but if one is engineered better, it could produce five to ten percent more energy every year. Over twenty years, that dierence becomes enormous.” Thus, renewables infrastructure is not just about installing panels. It is about engineering an energy system that performs reliably over decades. Growing risks in an expanding market Rapid industry growth inevitably attracts new operators. Many may be experienced engineering firms expanding into renewables, others enter the market with limited large-scale project experience. This creates a new set of risks for businesses investing in major energy infrastructure. “Inexperienced operators can present themselves as capable EPC providers very quickly,” Peters notes. “But installing a row of roo£op panels is very dierent from designing and building a complex commercial energy system.” The consequences of poor project design can be significant. Substandard engineering can introduce electrical safety risks, compromise building infrastructure or result in systems that fail to deliver expected energy output. In extreme cases, companies may discover that the contractor responsible for installation is no longer operating when problems arise.
“If the EPC is no longer in business, who do you call?” Peters asks. “Renewable energy installations are a long- term asset. You need to know the partner behind it will be there for you over time.” Another risk is underperformance. A solar installation may be sold on the basis of projected energy production for example, generating one million kilowatt-hours per year, but poor design or inadequate maintenance could result in significantly lower output. “It might have been cheaper upfront,” Peters says, “but if the system only produces 60% of what was promised, it becomes a costly decision.” What to evaluate in choosing an EPC For executives evaluating future renewable energy projects, selecting an EPC partner requires a structured due diligence process. While the technical details may dier across industries and project types, several key evaluation criteria consistently emerge.
RenEnergy solar installation for Agrico.
12 Electricity + Control JUNE 2026
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