The Ethiopian Electric Power (EEP) has announced the names of 12 pre-qualifying bidders for the 250 MW tender of the World Bank's Scaling Solar program. In October 2017, EEP issued a request for qualification (RfQ) for two PV projects of 125 MW capacity each (see 250 MW 'Scaling Solar' Tender In Ethiopia).
The 12 bidders were selected from a pool of 28 applicants. Out of the lot, Saudi Arabia's ACWA Power, Italy's Enel, Japan's Mitsui and Norway's Scatec Solar are bidding individually, while the rest are partnering with other companies. The 12 shortlisted bidders will now be required to submit a proposal in the bidding process:
Wining bidders for the two 125 MW projects will be selected on the basis of the lowest tariff offered. This tender, under the World Bank's Scaling Solar program, is the first under this initiative in Ethiopia. The bank aims to support solar facility development of up to 700 MW in the country.
Through Scaling Solar, the World Bank is currently supporting four countries in Africa set up solar power projects. This is its fifth tender in Africa to date. Two rounds have been initiated in Zambia, one in Senegal and one in Madagascar.
Recently, the Ministry of Water, Energy and Hydrocarbons (MEEH) of Madagascar pre-qualified six developers for a 25 MW PV+storage tender under Scaling Solar program (see Six Developers Pre-Qualify For Madagascar Tender). Some of the pre-qualified parties for the Ethiopia tender have also made the cut in the Madagascar tender.