This is the first time another country has sought help from the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), under the International Solar Alliance (ISA) to provide project management consultancy services for development of nearly 300 MW solar power project in Togo. The letter of engagement was entered into between parties involved yesterday.
To execute the development, the West African nation has identified two separate plots of land- one each of 70 and 500 acres in the regions of Dalwak and Savanes respectively, that will combine to generate 283 MW, according to a news report.
As per the terms of the engagement, the scope of NTPC will include selection of the Solar Project Developers (SPDs) on competitive basis for setting up projects on an ownership basis and entering into Power Purchase Agreements (PPAs) with designated government entities.
The scope of project management consultant (NTPC) duties will include presentations to the concerned ministries and other stakeholders in ISA countries for the structuring of projects, management of the bidding process, assistance to bring out enabling policy and regulatory framework for competitive procurement of solar power, roof and land leasing agreements, structuring of the PPAs, and other such activities, according to a news media report.
As per the terms of the agreement, Togo will not incur any charges for this project. The NTPC will recover its costs through the bid winners. If the NTPC sees fit, it might also develop solar projects on its own by using its equity.
Togo had earlier set a target of achieving universal electricity access by 2030, with a special focus on generation of power through solar energy and raised a request for help with the ISA. The ISA cleared this hurdle by reaching out to NTPC India thereafter to ensure engagement between countries for solar development.
