Eritrea seeks consultant for Dekemhare Solar Power Plant

The government of Eritrea in partnership with the African Development Bank (AfDB) are seeking for a consultant to assist in the construction of the Dekemhare Solar Power Plant project.

The consultant is expected to assist the relevant authorities in all stages of the project, in particular in the tendering process, including contract negotiations. The parties launch the tender call for expressions of interest for a consultant who will also contribute to the review and approval of detailed designs, EPC contractor construction procedures, and technical reports, as well as the supervision of the construction works. Interested consultancies have until 20 February 2022 to apply.

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Dekemhare solar power plant

Construction of the Dekemhare solar power plant in the Debub region is part of Asmara’s policy to diversify its electricity mix. The East African country is 90% dependent on fossil fuels, notably diesel, for its electricity generation, according to the 2015 report of the International Energy Agency (IEA).

The project involves the construction of a 30 MWp solar PV plant outside the town of Dekemhare, 40 km southeast of Asmara, the country’s capital. The plant will be connected to a battery power storage system to stabilize the grid of the state-owned Eritrean Electricity Corporation (EEC). The Eritrean government is also planning to build a 66 kV substation and a 500 m transmission line.

The consultant’s role will further extend to Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) for major equipment and supervision of the implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP). The contract will also cover capacity building for the project executing agency, including operation and maintenance of solar PV and battery storage systems, monitoring and control, solar energy forecasting, and incorporation into the daily dispatch schedule.