Feasibility studies for utility-scale BESS site(s), preparation of

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (REOI)

Ref No: RW-REG/EDCL-531654-CS-QCBS

Project: Rwanda Renewable Energy Development Project

Tender Name: Feasibility studies for utility-scale BESS site(s), preparation of technical specifications, provision technical support for tendering process and supervision of works .

1. BACKGROUND AND CONTEXT

Although Rwanda is estimated to have strong solar resource potential, with high-intensity solar resources in the south-central and eastern parts of the country, limited investments have been made in the solar sector, and it represents a small portion in total generation. In 2023, solar resources contributed 3.41 percent of the total installed capacity while they made up only 1.2 percent of the total generation. However, the government plans to promote utility-scale solar in the country as per the least cost-power development plan 2025-2050, where it envisions increasing the energy generated from solar in the generation mix by about threefold in the short term up to 2031 and will expand by two orders of magnitude in 2050.

Therefore, development of solar capacity needs to be complemented with BESS to help manage Rwanda’s evening peaks. The BESS may also be required for grid support and ancillary services, as confirmed in Preliminary Assessment of Solar PV with Battery Storage in Rwanda suggesting the potential for integration of 100MVA immediately and additional 30MVA by 2027. Globally, this shows the potential of Rwandan network to accept a BESS of 130MVA by 2027. However, the required BESS MW/MWh to be installed will be confirmed under this study.

The selected battery storage technology will be lithium-ion, all feasibility study activities, analyses and tendering documents shall be prepared based on this technology (the cathode chemistry is expected to be LFP (Lithium Iron Phosphate)) unless a justified alternative arises during the study.

The details will be in the terms of references published on Rwanda energy group

Objective of the consultancy services

This assignment is divided into two phases:

Phase I

The main objective of the Feasibility Study is to confirm the need for BESS in Rwanda and determine the optimal size and sites for utility-scale deployment. In addition to that, the consultancy firm will prepare the bidding document for BESS, and provide support during procurement process, until signature of the contract.

Phase II

The main objective of the Owners Engineer/ supervision firm is to provide comprehensive professional services to the Client to ensure that the BESS project is implemented successfully, safely, and in full compliance with the agreed technical specifications, conceptual designs, contractual agreements, applicable regulations, and international best practices.

3. CONSULTANTS’ SCOPE OF SERVICES

The consultant will be responsible for the following tasks:

Phase1: Feasibility Study and preparation of Tender Documents – Scope of Services, Tasks and Expected Deliverables

Phase2: Owner’s Engineer Consultancy Services

4. DURATION OF THE ASSIGNMENT

Phase I: Five (5) months from the date of contract signing

Phase II: Eighteen (18) months from the publication of the EPC tender and 24 months of defect liability period.

5. QUALIFICATION OF THE FIRM

The interested consultant firm should meet the following requirements:

General experience in conducting feasibility studies and supervising BESS projects during the past ten (10) years.

Specific experience in feasibility studies, procurement management, and supervision of BESS projects, with participation in at least two (2) similar projects each

6. QUALIFICATION OF THE KEY EXPERTS

PHASE I: The Consultant must provide the list of the following key staff complying with the requirement (qualification and experience) defined in the terms of reference:

Project Manager (1)

Power System Specialist (1)

Battery Energy Storage Systems Specialist (1)

Procurement Specialist (1)

Financial Analyst/Energy Economist (1)

Geotechnical Engineer (1)

Topographical Surveyor (1)

PHASE II: The Consultant is required to provide a ist of the following key staff complying with the requirement (qualification and experience) defined in the terms of references published on REG website:

Project Manager (1)

Battery Energy Storage Systems Specialist (1)

Electrical Design Engineer (1)

Civil Engineer (1)

Electrical Site Engineers (1)

Environmental and Social Specialist (1)

Contract Management Specialist (1)

7. HOW TO APPLY

Interested consultants should provide the following:

Letter for Expression of Interest

Registration certificate/certificate of incorporation

Experience of the firm (in table indicating name, scope, period of execution, employer’s name and address) proven by certificates of good completion

List of proposed staff with their qualifications (academic testimonials) and experience (in table)

8. SELECTION PROCESS

Consultant Firm may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Shortlisted firms will be ranked based on the compliance of key staff and provided experiences consultancy firms (with proof).

The expression of interests must be submitted in written form (electronically) addressed to the Managing Director of the Energy Development Corporation Limited (EDCL) through the following emails:, copy to, not later than 02/03/2026 at 5:00pm Kigali time (GMT +2).

Sincerely,

Gentille UMUSHASHI

Head Procurement Management Services

Félix GAKUBA

Managing Director