Renewable energy + industrial sustainability
Engineering capability Engineering design is at the core of any renewable energy project. A credible EPC partner should demonstrate strong internal engineering expertise and the ability to model energy generation, system integration and load management across the lifecycle of the electricity system. “In renewable energy engineering you are looking at the full journey of electricity,” Peters explains. “From generation to grid interaction to consumption. That requires a broad engineering perspective.” Companies should consider whether engineering work is conducted in-house, the experience level of the engineering team, and whether designs are tailored to each project’s environment and energy requirements. Procurement standards and technology selection Component selection – including panels, inverters, mounting systems and batteries – has a direct impact on system reliability and lifespan. A credible partner selects ‘bankable’ technology components that insurers and lenders trust for the long haul. Businesses should evaluate how EPC providers source equipment, whether they work with established technology suppliers and whether procurement processes include competitive supplier evaluation. Environmental conditions also matter. Equipment that performs well in one setting may be unsuitable in others, in high-dust mining environments or extreme temperatures, for instance. “Certain technologies perform better in specific conditions,” Peters notes. “The right solution should be selected for the environment.” Installation quality and construction control Even well-designed projects can fail if installation standards are poor. Construction quality includes electrical integration, structural mounting systems and civil engineering considerations, particularly in regions exposed to strong winds or extreme weather. Peters recalls a recent example in the Langkloof region where severe storms damaged surrounding structures while a nearby solar installation remained intact. “The mechanical design and installation quality make a significant dierence in how systems withstand real-world conditions,” he says. For this reason, forward-thinking companies prioritise EPC partners that maintain direct oversight of construction, ensuring accountability is not lost in a chain of subcontractors. Long-term operations and maintenance Renewable energy systems are o£en marketed as low-maintenance, but that does not mean they are maintenance-free. Cleaning, system monitoring, component replacement and performance optimisation all play a role in maintaining long-term energy yield. “Solar systems need to be looked a£er,” Peters says. “Something as simple as panel cleaning can aect performance.” Equally important is the responsiveness of the service provider when problems arise. “Infrastructure failures rarely happen during oice hours,” he notes. “If a facility loses energy production on a Friday night, the response time matters.” Sim Khuluse, Technical and Policy Manger of the South African Photovoltaic Industry Association (SAPVIA), reinforces this lifecycle view: “Quality in solar projects cannot be confined to installation alone. It must be embedded across the full lifecycle, from engineering and procurement and through operations and maintenance, ensuring long- term performance and reliability. SAPVIA will be launching a Working Group focusing on operations and maintenance to address this.”
Solar energy for biogas plant near Cape Town.
Financial stability and track record Because renewable energy projects operate over long timelines, the financial stability and operational history of the EPC partner should also be considered. A strong balance sheet, established project portfolio and verifiable client references can provide reassurance that the company has the capacity to support infrastructure over its lifetime. Companies evaluating EPC providers should request reference projects and speak directly with existing clients not only about successful projects, but also about how problems were handled when they occurred. From an industry perspective, SAPVIA has increasingly emphasised the importance of standardisation and due diligence in EPC selection. “Best-practice frameworks exist to guide engineering design, procurement quality and construction management,” Khuluse notes. “These are critical for project success and in maintaining investor confidence in the sector.” Lessons from industry As the renewable energy sector matures, industry standards and regulatory frameworks are gradually strengthening. Compliance requirements, engineering sign-os and installation standards now play a greater role in project evaluation. SAPVIA is not a regulator but plays a key role in shaping these standards through industry guidelines, working groups and quality frameworks. Initiatives such as Operations and Maintenance best- practice guidelines and the PV GreenCard programme aim to improve installation quality, safety and compliance across the sector. “Industry bodies provide an important function in helping to ensure that projects meet recognised standards for safety, performance and regulatory compliance, even in a rapidly evolving market.” says Khuluse Financial institutions are also introducing their own due diligence processes for EPC providers involved in financed projects, reflecting the financial risks associated with underperforming infrastructure. Yet many experienced industry participants argue that regulation alone cannot guarantee quality. Responsible project development requires informed decision-making by businesses if they choose to embark on such long-term investment projects. “When companies invest in a renewable energy system, they are integrating new infrastructure into the most critical part of their operations – the electrical network of the facility,” Peters emphasises. “No corners can be cut.”
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JUNE 2026 Electricity + Control
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