The Maldives Opens Pre-qualification For 11-14 MW Solar PV Tender

Under World Bank-supported Accelerating Renewable Energy Integration and Sustainable Energy (ARISE) project, the Maldives has opened pre-qualification for a solar PV tender of 11-14 MW capacity range.

This PV installation project covers hybridisation of fourteen island grids which currently rely almost entirely on diesel for power generation. Interested developers can submit applications for pre-qualification on or before 1 PM Maldivian time on 9th September 2021.

Maldives aims to accelerate renewable energy development through private sector engagement and the current standard public private partnership project framework was developed with assistance from World Bank. The first pioneering project under the framework for 1.5 MW rooftop PV installations has been completed and is in operation since March 2018. Additional two sub projects, which include 5 MW structure mount PV installations (currently in the construction phase) and a 21 MW project (in tender stage) have been the result of continued efforts of this working model.

PV systems in this pre-qualification will also follow the said framework where projects will be developed on Design, Build, Finance, Own, Operate and Transfer (DBFOOT) basis. Successful bidder would be required to sign a long-term Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) with the existing electricity service provider along with other set of standard agreements. The bidder will be supported by risk mitigation instruments extended by World Bank through ARISE project.

This includes tariff buy down support, payment guarantees and MIGA guarantees for various non-commercial risks. Maldives seeks to be a carbon neutral nation by 2030 and assistance through projects such as ARISE is setting trajectory for the process.

The ARISE project includes a target of bringing in 36 MW of new solar PV installations with an estimated 40MWh of Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and grid infrastructure upgrades. Currently energy from renewables make only 4% of the national energy mix and thus significant growth in renewables will be required for Maldives in the coming years to meet the clean energy targets for the country.