- The Infrastructure and Development Bank of Zimbabwe (IDBZ/the Bank) seeks a contractor for engineering, procurement and construction plus financing and subsequent operations and maintenance for the 5MW Gutu Solar Project, Gutu District, Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe.
The Bank partnered with Gutu Rural District Council (GRDC), as project sponsors, to develop, construct and operate a 5MW Solar Power Generation Plant at Berry Springs and Wheatlands Farms in Gutu District, Masvingo Province. The project is being undertaken by Chatsworth Energy (Private) Limited, a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) created by the Bank to undertake the project. The project site measures 15ha in extent and is 8km to the north of Gutu-Mupandawana town. The 5MW Gutu Solar Project will connect to the 33/11 kV Gutu substation located 1km from the project site and owned and managed by Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) Eastern Region.
A Grid Impact Assessment (GIA) conducted by ZETDC indicated that the project would have a positive impact on the grid. A detailed Bankable Feasibility study which included an ESIA study and was co-funded by the IDBZ and AFD was undertaken by SOWITEC Kenya Limited (consultant from Kenya) in partnership with MAZEDECK Ventures (Pvt) Limited (Zimbabwe consultant firm). This study concluded that the project is technically feasible, financially viable and can be implemented in a socially and environmentally sustainable manner.
Link to the full tender document here: Request for Expressions of Interest_Gutu Solar EPC+F+O&M-1
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
