The Republic of Maldives Ministry of Finance, on behalf of the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Technology, has issued a request for bids (RfB) for infrastructure works to support grid modernization and the connection and integration of solar power in the network across fifteen islands.

The works will be allotted in three lots. Lot one is grid-upgradation works in Addu city mainland, Hulhumeedhoo in Addu City, Fuvamulah City, and Thinadhoo in the Gaafu Dhaalu region. Lot two is grid-upgradation works in Eydhafushi, Hinnavaru, and Kulhudhuffushi City. Lot three is grid-upgradation works in Fonadhoo and network interconnection in Isdhoo, Kalaidhoo, Dhanbidhoo, Maabaidhoo, Kunahandhoo, Hithadhoo, and Funadhoo.

The works must be completed within 365 days of receiving the work order.

Interested bidders can register with the finance ministry for the projects, from March 16, 2022, to May 30, 2022, by paying a non-refundable registration fee of MVR1,500 (~$97).

The last day to submit the bids is June 1, 2022. The bids will be opened on the same day.

Bidders must furnish $300,000 as bid security for lot one, $90,000 for lot two, and $100,000 for lot three.

Successful bidders must also submit 10% of the total contract value as performance security and 2.5% of the total contract value as environmental and social performance security.

Bidders must also demonstrate that they have access to liquid assets, unencumbered real assets, lines of credit, and other financial means sufficient to meet the construction cash flow requirement. Bidders must demonstrate they have access to $4 million in funds for lot one, $1.2 million for lot two, and 1.4 million for lot three.

Bidders must have completed a minimum of three projects, including both low voltage (<400V) and medium voltage (6-33kV) underground distribution cable installations with cumulative lengths not lower than 30 km for lot one and 10 km for lots two and three. Bidders must have also completed a minimum of two substation automation works.

Bidding will be conducted through international competitive procurement using request for bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers – Procurement in Investment Projects Financing.”

The Government of the Republic of Maldives had received $107.4 million in financing from the World Bank towards the cost of the Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) Project. The government had affirmed that the funds received would be used towards grid modernization and integration of solar into the island nation’s power mix.

The ARISE project builds on the efforts of the existing World Bank-funded program ‘Accelerating Sustainable Private Investments in Renewable Energy’ (ASPIRE) initiative to bring in private investments for increasing renewable energy capacity in the Maldives.

In June last year, Maldives issued a tender inviting interested bidders to participate in the pre-qualification process for installing 11-14 MW solar projects in 14 major islands.