The Government Côte d’Ivoire through the Ministry of Mines, Petroleum Resources and Energy, and Cote d’Ivoire Energies (CI-Energies) have issued a request for prequalification (RFQ) for the design, financing, construction, and operation of two grid-connected solar plants in Côte d’Ivoire in Laboa & Touba in the western region of Bafing, Woroba District

The solar plants in Côte d’Ivoire with a capacity of at least 60MWp are set to be developed on an independent power producer (IPP) or non-utility generator (NUG) basis under the scaling solar program in the West African country.

Spearheaded by the World Bank Group, the program mainly makes it easier for governments to quickly procure and develop large solar projects with private financing. It entails a package of expert advice, fully templated documents, pre-approved financing, insurance products, and guarantees.

Pre-qualification application

Interested parties are required to register with CI-Energies in the first phase of the process. They should have the experience, expertise, and financial resources required to implement a large-scale independent solar power production project within a tight timeframe. Pre-qualification applications must be submitted on or before 10 am GMT on 6 September 2021.

In the second phase of the process, shortlisted bidders will be invited to take part in a Request for Proposals (RFP) in accordance with the tender document. The successful Independent Power Producer(s) (IPP) will then design, finance, build, install, commission, and operate the two solar PV plants over a 25-year period.

Electricity produced will be fed into the national electricity grid of the West African country under a power purchase agreement (PPA) signed with Compagnie Ivoirienne d’électricité (CIE), a flagship company in the Ivorian energy sector, responsible for the supply of electricity in Côte d’Ivoire since 1990.