LUSAKA, March 6 (Xinhua) -- The Zambian government has invited bids for firms intending to implement its second Scaling Solar Project aimed at boosting energy availability, its investment firm said on Monday.
The Industrial Development Corporation has invited the private sector for its second solar project after the success of the first project.
The investment firm said in a notice that the second project will be for the development of between 150-250 megawatts of solar power plant.
"The Industrial Development Corporation expects that, in addition to individual companies, consortia will be formed to respond to the anticipated tender. These companies and consortia would likely comprise a mix of international, regional and local companies with expertise in developing utility scale solar PV," the notice said.
In May last year, President Edgar Lungu launched the first round of the Project targeting 100 megawatts and directed that development of up to 500 megawatts of solar power sources be actualized in the immediate term.
French firm Neoen S.A.S was chosen as the preferred bidder for the first project after a competitive bidding process.
Minister of Finance Felix Mutati said last Friday that the government has finalized negotiations with the French firm for the start of the project which is expected to commence this year.
The Scaling Solar Project is a World-Bank supported project meant to boost solar energy production in African countries. The International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank, offers a one-stop shop solution and package of advisory services, template contracts, financing, guarantees and insurance to help the government and utilities procure solar power transparently, competitively and at a lower possible cost.
