The Government of Cape Verde has announced to launch a call for expressions of interest for the construction of four solar PV power plants in the island country. These facilities are being developed as part of a project co-financed by several international development partners.
The tender call is launched by the government’s Special Projects Management Unit, UGPE and concerns the construction of solar power plants on four islands of the archipelago. Interested power producers can submit their bids to the concerned authority by March 30, 2023.Â
The tender aims the construction of a 1.3 MW solar power plant on Fogo, an island in the south of Cape Verde. Another solar park of 1.2 MW capacity will be built in Santo Antão, the western-most island of the country. Two solar power plants of 0.4 MW capacities each, will be constructed in the islands of São Nicolau and Maio.
After signing of contracts, the selected bidders are expected to start the engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) works in August 2023. The solar energy projects are expected to be commissioned by 2025. The selected power developers will also be responsible for setting up a training program for UGPE staff.
The training program will cover the daily operation and maintenance of the solar power installations. The program will be structured to provide local staff with the required skills and knowledge to successfully take over the design, construction, commissioning, and operation the solar projects.
According to the government, the UGPE will awards the operation of the solar plants to private companies after their installations. The project also involves the construction of the interconnection infrastructures of the solar plants to the national grid and installation of battery storage systems.
The solar PV systems will be built under Cape Verde’s ‘Renewable Energy and Improved Utility Performance Project’ (REIUP). The initiative is co-financed by two World Bank subsidiaries, the International Development Association (IDA) and the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD). It is also funded by the Canadian Clean Energy and Forest Climate Facility (CCEFCF) and the Global Infrastructure Facility (GIF).
The REIUP will help Cape Verde to achieve 30% of energy production from renewable sources by 2025 and around 50% by 2030. The country which has one of the highest electricity tariffs in Africa, is expected to reduce consumer electricity prices with the progressive increase in the installed renewable energy capacity.
