DEADLINE: 15TH AUGUST, 2025
ENUGU STATE GOVERNMENT
EXPRESSION OF INTEREST FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT FOR STATE ELECTRICITY MARKET (REDSEM) IN ENUGU STATE
1.0 PREAMBLE
Solar mini grids are playing a key role in expanding electricity access in off-grid and underserved communities in Nigeria, especially where grid infrastructure is lacking or damaged. This sector has grown significantly due to government initiatives and support from international partners like the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), co-funded by the European Union (EU) and German Government, implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The recently enacted Electricity Act 2023 decentralises electricity regulation, empowering states in Nigeria to regulate electricity within their borders.
As part of this shift, Enugu State, with support from NESP, is piloting solar mini grid projects to demonstrate the viability of renewable energy and strengthen its newly established State Electricity Market. The state has also passed its own electricity law and created institutions like the Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC) and the Enugu State Electrification Agency (ESEA).
These efforts align with Nigeria’s Energy Transition Plan and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), which emphasizes clean energy to mitigate climate change and increase the renewable share in the national energy mix.
The Enugu State Government, with support from NESP, hereby invites credible and interested solar mini-grid developers to submit proposals of innovative and feasible mini grid projects in Enugu state, aimed at advancing sustainable energy access and fostering community development. This initiative seeks to identify projects that are technically sound and financially viable through a public-private-partnership model.
About NESP:
Since 2013, the Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP), implemented by Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) in partnership with the Federal Ministry of Power and co-funded by the EU and German Government, has supported Nigeria in advancing renewable energy, energy efficiency, and rural electrification, with a strong focus on scaling solar mini grid solutions.
1.1 PROJECT OBJECTIVE & SCOPE
The project aims to promote sustainable energy access and socio-economic development in underserved and unserved peri-urban and rural communities in Enugu State. The project will provide reliable and affordable electricity for at least 1,500 new customers, benefiting about 8,000 people. It involves deploying a minimum of 1 and maximum of 3 solar mini grid projects with capacities ranging from 0.2MW to 0.6MW, implemented by selected private developers. This means that proposed solar mini-grid projects should have capacity to connect a minimum of 1500 new customers for 0.6MW mini-grid system within underserved and unserved communities in Enugu State.
The scope of the project covers the full lifecycle of mini grid development including techno-economic assessment, design, construction, commissioning, and operation under a commercial public-private partnership (PPP) model, involving relevant stakeholders and a sustainable business framework.
To support implementation, NESP, through the Enugu State Government, will offer in-kind grant support covering 70% – 80% of Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) costs to the selected developer(s).
1.2 EXPECTED PROJECT OUTCOME
The proposed project is expected to:
- Provide reliable and affordable electricity to the target communities with an aggregated minimum connection target of 1500.
- Support women-led businesses, promote entrepreneurship and productive use of energy (PUE) to enhance local economies.
- Develop local expertise in the operation and maintenance of mini grids, creating employment opportunities and promoting knowledge transfer within the communities served.
- Strengthen technical expertise and knowledge within the local community through training programmes.
- Demonstrate the viability of renewable energy solutions via innovative technical solutions and business models tailored to the unique needs of the state and target communities, thereby fostering a dynamic and competitive renewable energy market.
1.3 ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
1) Applicant and/or its consortium must be incorporated as a for-profit company in Nigeria with evidence of the following documentations:
a. Certificate of incorporation and original copy of Company Status Report from Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) (showing the shareholding structure and directors of the companies)
b. Three (3) years Tax Clearance Certificate (2022, 2023, 2024 and expiring 31st December 2025)
c. Certificate of Compliance with the Pension Reform Act 2014 issued by the National Pensions Commission (PENCOM), valid till 31st December 2025.
d. Certificate of Compliance with Nigerian Social Insurance Trust Fund (NSITF), valid till 31st December 2025
e. Certificate of Compliance with the Industrial Training Fund Amendment Act, 2011, valid till 31st December 2025
f. Evidence of Certified Audited Account for the past three (3) years.
2) Applicants and/or their consortium must hold a valid Competency Certificate as an Electrical Contractor issued by the Nigerian Electricity Management Service Agency (NEMSA) or Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC).
3) The Applicant and/or its consortium (International/regional) must have demonstrated experience in a similar capacity for the project within Nigeria, provide proof of 2 (two) reference projects, either executed independently or as a consortium in the past four (4) years
4) Proof of Organisational COREN membership or COREN certificates of 2 key management staff.
5) The applicant or its consortium must provide proof of financial capacity (proof of working capital) with a valid bank account to cover up to 30% of the CAPEX costs and other OPEX costs. Applicant must provide evidence of previous loan approval and handling of loans from a financial institution. Additionally, the applicant must provide a letter of reference from a reputable bank.
6) Applicants must provide proof that each of its key management staff (leadership, technical, financial and legal) has at least 5 years’ experience with solar mini grids. Passport photographs and CVs of not more than 3 pages for each of the key management staff involved.
7) Evidence of a mini-grid specific technical training of a minimum of 2 staff/management from a recognised institution will be an added advantage.
8) Applicant must provide proof of good supply chain access and inventory relevant to the project in terms of tools, vehicles, equipment, machine, staff, etc. required for the construction and installation of the project assets.
9) Applicant must submit a comprehensive proposal with a business plan, that includes site assessment reports, site GPS coordinates, load forecasts or demand estimates, generation system design (using HOMER or relevant software), and relevant agreements such as exclusivity and tripartite agreements, where applicable. Applicants are advised to select sites from the Nigerian SE4ALL geospatial data base (Nigeria SE4ALL via the website https://nigerias4all.gov.ng/). The submission should also include distribution network designs and a detailed financial model or supporting financial information. The project proposal including the technical design and financial models must align with the project objectives and outcomes. Applicants with advanced community engagement, either with a signed MoU (with the community for an isolated or with the DisCo for an interconnected), exclusivity agreement or tripartite agreement shall be given priorities.
10) Applicant must prove that the proposed tariff in the financial model shall be in compliance with EERC’s tariff methodology and model.
11) Applicant must outline the project implementation plan and minimum number of customers that will be effectively connected by the end of May 2026.
12) Applicant must declare and make known in the proposal all organisations involved in the project and disclose any technical assistance obtained for the project. The applicant must also, in a sworn affidavit, declare that the proposed project had not already benefited from any grant either from any local, international, public or private entity.
1.4 EVALUATION CRITERIA AND SELECTION PROCESS
Proposals are reviewed for completeness and compliance with eligibility criteria and expected project impact Submissions will be evaluated by experts based on the eligibility criteria and anticipated impact. Top-ranked proposals that meet the eligibility criteria and expected impact are shortlisted for further engagement and assessment. Additional due diligence checks may be carried out and further information may be requested from the shortlisted applicants. Shortlisted projects are approved, and applicants are notified of further steps for technical support and implementation.
1.5 PROJECT ELIGIBILITY CHECK
- Failure to provide any of the documents required shall lead to disqualification.
- All submitted documents/claims, including those relating to previous experience, shall be verified and any claim found to be false shall lead to instant disqualification.
- The company must ensure that no actual or potential conflict of interest exists with any of the funders or partners involved in this tender process.
1.6 DISCLAIMER AND CONSENT
- The submission of the proposal does not lead to legal entitlement to receive any funding. Any possible funding through the state government within the framework of this call for proposal will be granted in accordance with an appropriate legal and commercial review, particularly regarding the public-benefit purpose of each project. The legal compliance may also require adjustments in respect of the concept of the project proposal submitted as well as the inclusion of corresponding provisions in the contracts governing the use of funding.
- NESP, Enugu State Government or Federal Ministry of Power (FMP) shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with the preparation of documents or submissions made in response to any inquiry or clarification arising from this exercise.
- NESP and its cooperation partners pledge fair and equal treatment of all applicants but are not bound to shortlist any applicant and reserve the right to annul this process at any time without incurring liabilities to itself or under obligation to explain to any applicant the reasons for the cancellation.
- By submitting the data as applicable under this publication, the applicant consents to the usage and processing of such data by NESP and its partners for the purpose of this publication and matters relating thereto.
1.7 TIMELINE
The deadline for submission of applications is Friday 15th August 2025 by 4:00pm (Nigerian Time)
1.8 MODE OF SUBMISSION
- All submissions must include a forwarding letter on the applicant’s official letterhead signed by the Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer (MD/CEO). In the case of a consortium or Joint Venture (JV), applicants must also provide evidence of the consortium or JV arrangement and a letter of authorisation designating the lead company for correspondence.
- Applicants should submit their applications in hard (original) and soft copies (scanned copies of the original). Hard copy submissions should be enclosed in a sealed large envelope and marked at the top left corner with: “CALL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT FOR STATE ELECTRICITY MARKET (REDSEM) IN ENUGU STATE” The envelope should be addressed to: The Chairman/CEO Enugu State Electricity Regulatory Commission (EERC), No 2 Forest Close, off Forest Crescent, off Park Avenue, GRA., Enugu State
The reversed side of all envelopes used must bear the applicant’s company name, address, and contact information of the MD/CEO or an authorised contact person (email and phone number) all written in capital letters.
- Soft copies must be submitted to these email addresses: To: NESP@giz.de C c : info @ eer c . e n . g o v . n g , christopherezeoha0@gmail.com The email must include the subject: “Proposal Submission: CALL FOR RENEWABLE ENERGY PROJECT DEVELOPMENT FOR STATE ELECTRICITY MARKET (REDSEM) IN ENUGU STATE”
- Proposal documents should be arranged and numbered or paged in the order listed in the above section 1.3 (ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA). The authorized representative should sign every page of the submission.
1.9 ENQUIRIES AND INFORMATION
For further enquiries, please reach out via these emails with the subject as “Enquiries: Renewable Energy Project Development for State Electricity Market in Enugu State”: To: NESP@giz.de Cc: info@eerc.en.gov.ng, christopherezeoha0@gmail.com
