Background
IFC’s Advisory Services in Public-Private Partnerships (“IFC Advisory”) has been engaged by the Government of the Kyrgyz Republic (“GoK”) as lead transaction advisor to select a private partner through a competitive tender to design, finance, build, operate and maintain solar photovoltaic (“PV”) plants on up to two distinct sites, tentatively located in the Talas and Batken regions of Kyrgyzstan, with a total capacity of 200-300 MW, with each site having a capacity of 100-150 MW (the “Project”). This marks the second round of competitive solar procurement, and IFC Advisory will support the GoK in structuring and tendering the Project and will retain a technical and environmental and social (“E&S”) consulting firm (the “Consultant”) to assist in this process.
Scope of Work
The Consultant is expected to notably perform the following tasks:
• Undertake technical studies required to identify key Project risks and develop the outline design of the PV plants at each of the two selected sites,
• Perform an E&S scoping study at each of the two selected locations and respective contextual settings,
• Prepare outline designs for each of the two PV plants, including grid connection arrangements at each selected site,
• Estimate capital and operational expenditures, yield, and other technical parameters for each PV plant,
• Review and provide technical and E&S input into the marketing documents, tender documents, and Project agreements,
• Develop technical and E&S annexes as required,
• Assist on technical and E&S matters in all phases of the tender process until the selection of a private partner, and
• Support IFC’s work in-country throughout the project’s implementation.
IFC invites eligible firms to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) indicating their interest to provide these services. Interested firms must provide information indicating their qualification to perform the services (brochures, description of similar assignments, experience in similar projects / markets, availability of appropriate skills among staff, etc). Shortlisted firms will receive the Request for Proposals, which will further detail the scope of work.
Qualification Criteria
Interested firms shall demonstrate the following:
1. Technical experience relevant to utility-scale, grid-connected solar PV PPP projects, including in conducting detailed technical studies, and supporting governments, sponsors and/or lenders throughout the tender process, to commercial close,
2. Experience in conducting E&S scoping and due diligence, including previous exposure and knowledge of IFC Performance Standards,
3. A strong team, including at least an experienced technical team leader, industry expert, grid expert and E&S expert,
4. In-country presence and experience interacting with government,
5. Experience working in emerging markets, with preferably some prior experience in the Central Asian region, and
6. Ability to work in English and Russian.
Firms are expected to partner with local entities to satisfy these requirements and local partner profile and experience should be indicated in the EOI.
EOIs submitted should be limited to a maximum of 25 pages.
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