Zambia: Bids opened for solar IPPs

Bids were opened on 27 May for two 50MW solar photovoltaic power projects. Italy’s Enel Green Power and a consortium of France’s Neoen and Arizona-based First Solar were provisionally awarded preferred-bidder status. Neoen-First Solar bid a price of 6.02c/kWh while Enel bid 7.84c/kWh. They will sign agreements after a statutory period in which other bidders can challenge the award. Financial close is anticipated within 90 days of commercial close, expected in July, provided there is no delay in securing guarantees or signing a power purchase agreement (PPA) with national utility Zesco.