Niger govt launches tender for 50 MWp solar power plant construction

The government of Niger is calling for expressions of interest for the construction of a 50 MWp solar power plant at the Gourou Banda thermal power station, near Niamey, the country’s capital. The pre-qualification process will ensure the selection of an independent power producer (IPP) to design, finance, build, install and commission the plant.

The solar power plant is being built under the World Bank Group’s Scaling Solar program. Early in mid-June, Niger joined the initiative which is designed to foster public-private partnerships and investment in solar energy, ensure rapid implementation of power projects.

To this end, the Gourou solar project is supported by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), the World Bank Group’s private sector financing arm, the French Development Agency, and the European Union.

Under the oversight of Niger‘s Ministry of Petroleum, Energy, and Renewable Energy, the solar project had begun in 2017. The solar park will use the same grid connection as its co-located, 100 MW, a diesel-fueled thermal power plant that was commissioned in 2017. They will both be connected to a medium-voltage substation in Zabori.

While Niger had an installed PV capacity of around 27 MW at the end of 2020, the country relies on electricity imports from Nigeria. Its electric utility, Nigelec, has an installed power generation capacity of around 140 MW, bringing the country’s energy access rate to 15%. By 2035, Niamey wants to produce 30% of its electricity from renewable sources while achieving universal access to electricity.

Interested developers will have until November 22 to submit their bids. Click here for more information on how to apply.