The Infrastructure Development Bank of Zimbabwe ((“IDBZ/the Bank”) is a Development Finance Institution established by an Act of Parliament with a mandate to mobilise resources and deploy medium to long-term funding to key infrastructure projects. The Bank’s broad mandate is to improve the standard of living of Zimbabweans through sustainable economic growth by investment in infrastructure and addressing sector shortfalls across the economy. Energy plays a critical role in the economic and social development as it is an important input in the production process, its cost impacting directly on other services, business activities and the competitiveness of enterprises Cognizance of the critical role energy plays as a key enabler in economic and social development, the Bank is focused on promoting increase of capacity in energy generation in the country. The Bank’s thrust in the energy generation sub-sector is to also broaden the overall national energy mix with emphasis on renewable energy. In line with the green energy and climate smart initiatives, the Bank is currently working with various Independent Power Producers to prepare projects to bankability. The proposed initiatives are expected to plug the energy supply gap in the country, guarantee long-term energy self-sufficiency at the same time saving the scarce foreign currency used to import power from regional utilities.
The Bank wishes to partner credible local and/or international investor(s), private individuals, and other investor institutions with reputable track record(s) in the development, financing and construction or installation of solar and mini-hydro renewable energy plants. In this vein the Bank is undertaking a market scan to establish a database for interested Firms to partner the Bank in these programmes.
The Proposed Initiatives
To realise this national objective, the Bank intends to enter into partnership to develop and finance the implementation of the following renewable energy projects:
- Osborne Mini Hydro Project
The project entails the development and construction of a 1.7MW mini-hydro power plant at Osborne Dam situated approximately 35km from Mutare and 80km from Rusape. The project scope includes: System Engineering, Design Review, Material Purchasing, Equipment manufacture and supply, Construction and Installation. The project will help optimize economic benefits from Osborne Dam by generating clean energy for irrigation purposes and supplying the national grid. Feasibility studies were carried-out and the project is now at fund raising stage for project implementation.
ii. Odzani Mini Hydro Project
This project will utilize the existing water canals and weirs at Odzani River (Mutasa District) which were previously used for hydro power generation. The project scope entails rehabilitation of weirs, penstocks, canals, and construction of a powerhouse (including turbines) at a decommissioned power generation site. Power generated from the project will be fed into the national grid. The project is currently at planning stage.
iii. Rufaro Solar Farm Project
The project entails the development and establishment of a 50MW solar photovoltaic power station and construction of a 1 x4.3km 132kV Lynx line from the solar plant to the existing Marondera – Bromley 132kV Line cut-in point by way of a switching station at the Tee Point. The project is located in arondera, 70km east of Harare, in Mashonaland East Province, Zimbabwe. The energy from this plant will be fed directly into the national grid. This project is currently at preparation stage.
iv. Sable Solar Farm Project
The project entails the development and establishment of a 50MWAC solar energy plant to generate electricity to feed into the national grid. The Solar Plant will be located at a farm in Kwekwe, in the Midlands Province. The project scope includes the development and establishment of a 50MW solar plant, 132/33kV onsite substation, approximately 5 km power transmission line, switchyard and associated line bays. The project is currently at preparation stage.
v. Gutu Solar Farm Project
The project entails the development and establishment of a 20MW solar photovoltaic power station in Gutu, Masvingo, Zimbabwe. The energy from this plant will be fed directly into the national grid. The project is currently at planning stage.
vi. Plumtree Solar Project
The project entails the development and establishment of an estimated 10MW solar energy plant to generate electricity to supply National grid. The project is at initiation stage. The Bank owns the land which measures 27ha in size.
vii. GDE Bulilima Solar Energy Project
The project entails the development and establishment of a 50MW solar energy plant to generate electricity at a solar farm in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe. The land is located about 20km from Plumtree Town and the generated electricity will be fed into the national grid. The project is at planning stage.
viii. National University of Science and Technology (NUST) Solar Energy Projects
The first project entails the development and establishment of an on-campus 5MW solar energy plant to generate electricity to supply NUST. The surplus power generated will be fed into the national grid at the same time utilising the benefits of the net-metering system. The project is at planning stage. The second project entails the development and establishment of an off campus 50MW solar energy plant to generate electricity in Bulilima District, Matabeleland South Province, Zimbabwe. The land is located about 50km West of Bulawayo and the generated electricity will be fed into the national grid. The project is currently at the planning stage.
ix. Gwayi Solar Project
The project entails the development and establishment of a 50MW solar energy plant to generate electricity in Gwayi, Kusile District, Matabeleland North Province, Zimbabwe. The generated electricity will be fed into the national grid. The project is currently at the planning stage. The Bank owns the land which measures 79ha in size.
The Ideal Partner (s)
The Bank is seeking to partner with reputable investors who have proven experience in the development and financing of mini-hydro and solar projects and in particular the following attributes, among others, will be key:
• The investor/partner shall be properly incorporated according to the laws of Zimbabwe
• Demonstrates capacity (financial, technical, experience) to deliver projects of this nature
• Provide an impeccable verifiable company profile showing the experience and profiles of key personnel within the organization.
The Bank will conduct a due diligence examination on prospective investor- partners in line with international best practice Specific Procurement Notices / Expressions of Interest will be published in due course.
Submission of Expressions of Interest.
The expression of interest must be submitted in a clearly marked envelope to the address below on or before 30 September 2019 by Close of Business at 16:30 hours local time and clearly labelled “Expression of Interest for IDBZ Renewable Energy Projects”. Electronic submissions to the procurement e-mail below shall also be accepted and shall clearly be referenced as indicated above.
All Expressions of Interest to participate in the above programmes should be submitted to the Head of Procurement
