Burundi launches tender for Mpanda hydroelectric power station project

Hydroneo East Africa, an independent power producer (IPP), is launching a call for tenders for the design and construction of the Mpanda hydroelectric power station and its discharge line in Burundi.

The project is being developed as a public-private partnership (PPP) between the Burundian government and Mpanda Hydro Power, a special-purpose company wholly owned by Hydroneo East Africa.

The tender is divided into two lots. The first lot involves the design and construction of the 10 MW Mpanda hydroelectric power station. The selected company will be responsible for the detailed design of the power station and its associated infrastructure, as well as its construction and commissioning. The second lot covers the design and construction of the interconnection infrastructure, which includes a 27 km 33 kV transmission line between the power station and the Rubirizi substation.

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Mpanda hydroelectric plant

Interested companies have until 25 July 2023 to apply for one or both lots of the tender. Hydroneo East Africa plans to invest US $43.5M in the construction of the facilities. The company, based in Paris, France, expects to reach financial close on the project in 2022. Once the project starts, the construction and commissioning phase is estimated to take between 12 and 18 months.

The Mpanda hydroelectric plant aims to supply 10% of the electricity in the network of Burundi’s Water and electricity production and distribution company (REGIDESO). Hydroneo has already signed a power purchase agreement (PPA) with REGIDESO. The project has received support from investment consultancy Finergreen and the Renewable Energy Performance Platform (REPP), which is a renewable energy financing platform funded by the UK government.

It’s an exciting opportunity for companies in the energy sector to participate in the development of renewable energy infrastructure in East Africa and contribute to Burundi’s electricity generation capacity.