Rural Electrification Agency (REA)- Request For Proposal For The Engagement Of Energy Service Companies For The Provision Of Operations And Maintenance Services For Solar PV Hybrid Power Plants Deployed Under The Energizing Education Programme (EEP)

DEADLINE: 28TH APRIL, 2025
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AGENCY (REA)
CONTRACT TITLE: ENGAGEMENT OF ENERGY SERVICE COMPANIES FOR THE PROVISION OF OPERATIONS AND MAINTENANCE SERVICES FOR SOLAR PV HYBRID POWER PLANTS DEPLOYED UNDER THE ENERGIZING EDUCATION PROGRAMME (EEP)
COUNTRY: NIGERIA
LOAN NO. /CREDIT NO. /GRANT NO.: NOT APPLICABLE
ISD NO.: REA/EEP.II/RFP/NCS/2025/001(A-G)

1. The Rural Electrification Agency intends to procure the Non-Consulting Services for the Engagement of Energy Service Companies for the provision of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services for Solar PV Hybrid Power Plants Deployed under the Energizing Education Programme Phase II.

The scope of services covers comprehensive Operations & Maintenance (O&M) for a solar hybrid power plant, including:
a) Solar PV system O&M (daily monitoring, preventive and corrective maintenance, performance optimization, and payment management via an
Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) platform provided;
b) Hybrid system integration and control (inspections, maintenance, fault repair,
and energy management via a SCADA platform provided;
c) 11kV distribution network and transformer upkeep within the Beneficiary
Institution;
d) Installed Street lighting system maintenance and energy management;
e) Workshop and training centre operation (equipment maintenance, training
programs, and technical support);
f) Safety and environmental compliance; and
g) Reporting, documentation, and security of assets.

2. The Rural Electrification Agency intends to initially select Applicants for the
provision of Operations and Maintenance (O&M) Services for Solar PV Hybrid Power Plants Deployed under the Energizing Education Programme Phase II. The construction of the Seven (7) underlisted Plants has been completed by the Federal Government of Nigeria through a World Bank funded Project, the Nigeria Electrification Project (NEP)

3. The eligible Energy Service Companies (ESCO) are expected to provide O&M
Services (post the conclusion of the contractual one (1) year O&M phase between Q3 & Q4 2025. The O&M service will be for a period of five (5) years renewable for three (3) terms subject to satisfactory performance.

The list of the Solar Hybrid Plants and their respective Plant capacities is as follows:

4. The primary objective of this engagement is to ensure the optimal performance, reliability, and sustainability of all the solar PV hybrid power plants deployed under the EEP II Programme.

5. Key qualification requirements of the Energy Services Companies (ESCO) shall
include:
a) The ideal ESCOs should possess proven experience operating and maintaining utility-scale power plants, with demonstrated technical and commercial expertise collaborating with Distribution Service Companies (DisCos) on large-scale solar projects incorporating energy storage and diesel generator backup systems.
b) A strong track record of timely service delivery (at least five (5) years) is essential, including expertise in utility-scale solar plant operations (SCADA, energy storage, inverter management, and diesel generator maintenance),
c) Possess adequate experience in large-scale payment collection systems (multiple platforms, demand-side management tools, etc.),
d) Compliance with Nigerian regulatory requirements (including solar market
knowledge), and readily available qualified, certified personnel.

The financial requirements are based on the estimated average annual operating cost of the Plants as contained in the document.

6. The initial selection will be conducted through the procedures as specified in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers September 2023 Fifth Edition, (“Procurement Regulations”), and is open to all eligible Applicants as defined in the Procurement Regulations.

7. Interested eligible Bidders may obtain further information from the Rural
Electrification Agency of Nigeria – Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP) office in Abuja, Nigeria during office hours, 08:00 to 17:00 hours or via REA or NEP websites.

8. Applications for Initial Selection, in both hard and soft copies (via email/USB drive), should be submitted in clearly marked envelopes and delivered to the address below by 2:00 pm Monday 28th April, 2025. Please note that Electronic Bidding will not be permitted and late applications may not be considered.

9. The official address of the NEP referred to above is:
Nigeria Electrification Programme (NEP)
The Centurion Building,
15th Street, Constitution Avenue
Central Business District,
Abuja,
Nigeria.
Email: nep-procurement@rea.gov.ng
Websites: www.rea.gov.ng and www.nep.rea.gov.ng

Signed
Management