The Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA) has sought expressions of interest (EoI) from engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) firms to set up a 10 MW grid-connected solar photovoltaic (PV) power project in Kumbotso, located in Kano state.

The scope of work includes the design, engineering, procurement, construction, commissioning, operation, and maintenance of the solar power project, along with all related sub-works. The testing and commissioning of the projects are also part of the scope of work. The last date for the submission of EoIs is June 3, 2020.

NISA said the solar project is sponsored by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) co-owned by the FGN, Kano State Government, and the Kumbotso local government. It will operate within the corporate ownership structure of a special purpose vehicle (SPV) – Haske Solar Company Limited.

The Nigerian capital market company said that the bid is international, open to qualified foreign and local firms. To be eligible to take part in the competitive bidding process, foreign applicants must have at least one competent local firm with a good track record and evidence of similar solar engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project work as a consortium partner. Foreign firms that are registered in Nigeria and have operations in the country are also allowed to bid without the need to have any local consortium partners.

Recently, the African Development Bank (AfDB) and the Government of Nigeria announced the launch of their National Electrification Project, which aims to help improve access to energy by promoting private investment into mini-grid and off-grid solutions.

Last year, Nigeria announced that it was looking to execute a second green bond issuance – Series II Green Bonds amounting up to N15 billion ($41.64 million). Through the issue, the government of Nigeria sought to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases in the country by up to 20% before 2030, as outlined under the Paris Agreement signed on September 21, 2016.