The state-owned electricity producer Ethiopian Electric Utility (EEU) targets to have 20 solar mini-grids operating in the country across various regions, backed by the World Bank's financing framework for the region, and for which it is now seeking interested bidders.
The World Bank is supporting the African nation under the Access to Distributed Electricity and Lighting in Ethiopia (ADELE) project. Part of this financing will be used by EEU toward payments under the procurement round.
EEU has described the broad scope of work under this contract for procurement package II (C) as design, supply, installation, test and commissioning of the 20 mini grids in Amhara, Oromia, Somali, SNNP and Sidama regions. Bidders can bid for a single or more lots. Operation and maintenance (O&M) for 6 months is also part of the job.
Last date to submit bids for this tender launched on June 17, 2023 is August 15, 2023. Tender notification can be viewed on the website of local Ethiopian tender portal Arif Chereta.
Under the $400 million ADELE program, the EEU says it aims to bring more than 200 rural towns to the national grid. Solar mini-grids will be constructed in a total of 201 rural towns under 1st and 2nd round out of which 100 mini grids will be constructed in the 1st round. A total of 35 MW additional renewable energy capacity is expected to be generated when the project is complete, benefitting 24,000 households.
In April 2021, the World Bank said it had approved $500 million credit for IDA to distribute for Ethiopia's electrification program under ADELE project (see World Bank: $500 Million For Ethiopia's Electrification).