Rwanda Tenders for Solar Mini Grid Consultant

Tender Notice 

Tender Nº: 025/12/2021/BRD/HC&CS/CS

Assignment Title: Technical Support for Renewable Energy Mini-Grids Financed by REF

Procurement Approach: Individual consultant (Consultant’s Specific Qualifications method)

Tender closes: 30/ 12 /2021 at 5:00pm Kigali time (GMT +2).

1. Background:

The Government of Rwanda has received US$ 48.9 million funding from the Scaling-up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) for the implementation of the Renewable Energy Fund (REF) project.  The REF project was approved by the World Bank Board on June 20, 2017. The objective of the REF project is to increase electricity access in rural areas of Rwanda through off-grid technologies and facilitate private sector participation in renewable off-grid electrification. The final project beneficiaries are Rwandan households and SMEs businesses, which will gain access to off-grid electricity services through standalone solar systems and mini-grids (Solar PV systems, small hydro or Hybrid) and whose use of electricity will replace consumption of diesel, kerosene, and dry cell batteries as well as other alternative fuels

2. Objective of the assignment:

The objective of the consultancy services is to provide expert technical and engineering services to BRD for: (a) appraisal of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, and loan applications for renewable energy mini-grid investment projects that are submitted to BRD by developers seeking REF financing; (b) implementation supervision of mini-grid projects financed by BRD; and (c) related technical assistance for sector strengthening.

Specifically, the Consultant is required to evaluate the efficacy, veracity, and viability of investment project proposals through document reviews and site visits.

3. Scope of Work

BRD anticipates that developers will seek Window 3 financing for solar photovoltaic (PV) and/or mini-hydro mini-grids, and perhaps biomass-fueled mini-grids.  Hybrid mini grids powered by renewable energy with batteries and/or diesel generators are likely. The mini-grids could range from small (under 10 kW) micro-grids to macro-grids of up to 1 MW of peak demand, with most applications likely to be mini-grids with under 100 kW of peak demand.

BRD intends to recruit one or more individual consultants on a time-based contract basis to support BRD undertake the technical due diligence of loan applications. When BRD receives a mini-grid loan application, they will issue a Task Order to one or more of the contracted consultants to undertake the technical appraisal of the project pre-feasibility, feasibility study and business plan. Similar Task Orders will be issued for implementation supervision and technical assistance services. The Task Order will indicate the scope of the work, deliverables, estimated level of effort and the schedule.

BRD’s own staff will appraise the developer, its corporate financial capability and the financial viability of the investment proposal.  BRD staff will also review the legal standing of the developer and the application.  Environmental and social safeguards appraisal will be conducted by other BRD staff or consultants in accordance with the Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF) and Resettlement Policy Framework (RPF) agreed to with the World Bank.

4. Experience:

Several individual consultants are likely to be required as no one consultant is likely to have the breadth and depth of technical expertise and experience required. BRD intends to sign time and materials contracts with several consultants and call on them, as required.  Specific expertise and experience required are as follows:

1. An engineering degree or professional/chartered engineer qualifications in electrical, mechanical or another relevant field.
2. Experience in load estimation and demand forecasting.
3. Expertise and experience in renewable energy resource modelling and forecasting including solar and hydrology, related to system sizing and optimizing.
4. At least 10 years of directly relevant experience in design, engineering and/or construction of off-grid solar photovoltaics, micro- and mini-hydro, biomass power, and hybrids projects; and low and medium voltage distribution networks. Demonstrated expertise in using design and planning tools such as HOMER, PVSYS, ArcGIS etc., is required.
5. Experience in mini-grid sites’ identification, investigation, preparing feasibility studies, bills of quantity and project business modelling.
6. Documentary proof of design, engineering and/or construction of at least two similar renewable energy mini grids.
7. Knowledge of Rwandan electrical standards will be an advantage.
8. Experience in financial analysis of renewable energy projects would be an advantage.
9. Mini-grid experience in Rwanda or other African country of the same category would be an advantage.
10. Must be fluent in English.

5. Duration of the contract

The contract duration will be twenty (24) months and may be renewed upon satisfactory performance with a written mutual consent of both parties. The Email or purchase orders will be issued to implements the framework contract and specify the duration and amount of each specific assignment.

6. Selection process

The attention of interested Individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revise November 2017, August 2018 and November 2020) (“Consultant Guidelines”) setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest.

Candidates will be selected using the selection based on Consultant’s Specific Qualifications method. Shortlisted candidates will be assessed through experience and qualifications.

All Interested Consultants are invited to download:

• The full Terms of Reference and template to be filled on Terms of Reference and template.
• Curriculum Vitae Format

Further information can be submitted at the following email addresses: procurement@brd.rw and copying to the brd@brd.rw during office hours (8:00 am to 6:00 pm, Local time).

The expression of interest must be delivered in written form addressed to the Chief Executive Officer of Development Bank of Rwanda on the following address: procurement@brd.rw and copying to the brd@brd.rw not later than 30/ 12 /2021 at 5:00pm Kigali time (GMT +2).

Author: GBA News Desk

Source: Development Bank of Rwanda