Underground Cable Supply & Maintenance (11kV & 33kV)

The City of Cape Town has issued a term tender (reference 116Q/2026/27) for the comprehensive provision of 11kV and 33kV underground cable systems and accessories. The scope covers the full lifecycle of the works: design, manufacture, supply and delivery of medium-voltage cable and associated accessories, followed by erection, installation, testing and commissioning, and ongoing maintenance. Because this is a term tender, it is expected to operate over a multi-year period, with work allocated against the framework as required by the City's electricity distribution network needs.

Medium-voltage underground cabling is a core component of urban electricity distribution, supplying substations, industrial customers and residential networks. Successful bidders will be expected to meet the technical standards governing 11kV and 33kV installations in South Africa, including relevant SANS and NRS specifications, and to demonstrate competence in jointing, termination, cable fault location and high-voltage testing. Requirements for manufacturing capacity, delivery timelines, safety compliance (including OHS Act obligations and electrical registration), and past performance on comparable projects are likely to be assessed, though the specific evaluation criteria should be confirmed in the tender documents.

For the City, a framework of this nature provides price certainty, faster response to network faults and expansion projects, and reduced administrative overhead compared with individual tenders. For suppliers and contractors, it offers a sustained pipeline of work and the opportunity to build a long-term relationship with a major metropolitan electricity authority. Interested parties should download the tender document (116Q202627_Doc.pdf), review the compulsory briefing and clarification deadlines, and confirm their B-BBEE, tax compliance and CIDB or relevant registration status before the closing date of 2 December 2026.