TotalEnergies Uganda has laid out bidding plans for its turnkey 40MW solar pv project in Uganda. The two 20 MW ground-mounted solar plants will be installed in two eastern Uganda districts: Iganga and Tororo.
In its latest Expression of Interest (EOI) for Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC), TotalEnergies Uganda called out for contractors to join the solar pv installation project. Pre-qualification bids are to be submitted to the project owner a week before the month of March (Feb 21st). Also important to note is that the deadline for the EOI submissions is the end of February (28th).
Key contractor aspects of the 40MW solar PV project in Uganda
Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC)
This will include:
Project management, site supervision, and health, social, security, safety and environment (H3SE) oversight.
The engineering aspects are not only limited to the whole engineering and design phase of the project, but also the handling of project documentation. Also included in the EPC is the selected contractor’s role in handling the mechanical completion, and testing and commissioning documentation. This will equivocally constitute a “turnkey project”.
Once selected, the contractor for the 40MW solar pv project in Uganda will have to access the needed project permits to allow for the installation of the ground-mounted solar pv modules. The list of permits will range from land permits to waste disposal, noise and building permits. Also included will be that to cut NFA restricted trees and the storage of petroleum products.
Under procurement and supply, the contractor will handle those of photovoltaic modules, substations, overhead lines, and Balance of System (BOS) equipment. This will also encompass the module mounting structures for the 40MW solar pv project, inverters, met stations, and related equipment.
The selected contractor for TotalEnergies Uganda’s solar project will also handle plant construction and equipment installation. They will handle civil works, mechanical and electrical works, logistics, and the general infrastructure and utilities of the solar project.
The testing and commission of the 40MW solar pv project will also be handled by TotalEnergies Uganda’ selected contractor.
Other than this, they will also be needed to offer performance warranty for a period specified by the project owner.
Operations and Maintenance (O&M)
Once selected, they will be needed to provide O&M services for the first 2 years post commissioning, with an optional 10-year term extension.
To apply for the project contract, the bidders will need to have at least designed and constructed three pv power plants generating more than 10MW. They should also have done at least two substations handling at least 132 kV. Also needed will be the experience in O&M of at least one solar pv power plant for at least an year.
