The Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund has issued a request for qualification (RfQ) for the development of 200 MW (AC) of grid-connected solar power projects.

The projects will be developed in the communities of Talin, Dashtadem, and Ashnak in the Aragatsotn province of the Republic of Armenia.

The scope of work includes the development, financing, design, engineering, construction, ownership, operation, and maintenance of the solar power project with an AC capacity of 200 MW in the Aragatsotn province of Armenia. The project is expected to be commissioned by the fourth quarter of 2023.  The project will be developed on a build, own, and operate (BOO) basis and will be jointly owned by the successful bidder and the Armenian National Interest Fund (ANIF).

To take part in the qualification process, the bidder will have to pay an amount of $1,000 (~₹75,122). The last date for the submission of online bids is July 01, 2020. The list of qualified bidders will be announced on July 31, 2020, and the request for proposal (RfP) will be issued on August 03, 2020.

The engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) contractor proposed by the bidder must have relevant experience with an emphasis on health, safety, and environmental compliance.

An interested bidder should have executed one or more grid-connected solar power projects anywhere in the world with a minimum aggregate capacity of 200 MW (AC). Besides this, the bidder could have executed one or more grid-connected projects of any other renewable technology with a minimum aggregate capacity of 400 MW (AC). Regarding the financial criteria, the bidder should have a net worth of $100 million (~₹7.5 billion) and a net worth to total assets ratio of 20%.

Central Asian countries like Armenia, Uzbekistan, and Kazakhstan, among others, are focusing on leveraging solar energy to meet their energy requirements as the reason is blessed with ample sunny days.

Earlier, the Ministry of Energy of the Republic of Uzbekistan had invited Expression of Interest from international investors to develop nearly 400 MW of solar projects in the regions of Samarkand and Jizzakh.

Previously, Mercom had reported that Fotowatio Renewable Ventures (FRV), a developer of renewable energy utility-scale projects, would develop a 55 MW solar project in Armenia. The Armenia Renewable Resources and Energy Efficiency Fund had awarded the project to FRV.

Back in 2018, the International Finance Corporation (IFC) had announced that it had expanded its operations in Europe and Central Asia with investment commitments reaching $2.9 billion (~₹21.7 billion). The organization is focusing on driving the diversification of the region’s economies, promoting access to finance for small businesses, and tackling climate change.