Renewable Energy for Electrification in Liberia (REEL Project)

The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) or Banque Africaine de Développement (BAD) is a multilateral development finance institution. The AfDB was founded in 1964 and comprises three entities: The African Development Bank, the African Development Fund and the Nigeria Trust Fund. The AfDB’s mission is to fight poverty and improve living conditions on the continent through promoting the investment of public and private capital in projects and programs that are likely to contribute to the economic and social development of the region. The AfDB is a financial provider to African governments and private companies investing in the regional member countries (RMC).

General Procurement Notice

The Republic of Liberia has received an African Development Fund (ADF) grant, ADF Loan, Scaling up Renewable Energy Program (SREP) grant and Transitional Support Facility (TSF) Pillar I grant (total of UA24.45 Million) from the African Development Bank (AfDB) to finance the Renewable Energy for Electrification in Liberia (REEL Project). The project is financed in the following components: (a) ADF loan amounting to UA 4.59 million, (b) ADF Grant amounting to UA 0.80 million, (c) a TSF Pillar I Grant amounting to UA 1.20 Million, and (d) a SREP Grant of USD 23.5Million (equivalent to UA 17.06 million.

The Liberia Renewable Energy for Electrification (REEL) project aims at developing the run-of-river Gbedin Falls HPP with a total capacity of 9.34 MW. Other activities related to the construction of the infrastructures are also envisaged including the electrification of communities located in proximity of the existing distribution network and the capacity building for hydropower plant development and management. The works will also involve the construction of 8km 33kV evacuation line as well as construction of 18km access road to the project site. The Gbedin Falls site are located at St John River in Nimba County. The Falls are in a remote area of heavy forest 7km from Gbedin village in the district of Sanniquellie Mahn. Access to the site from Monrovia is via the 260km paved road from Monrovia to Ganta, then the 34km unpaved road (under construction) from Ganta to Mr. Kona town, 10km unpaved road from Mr. Kona town to the end of unpaved road and 8km of inaccessible footpath to the project site. The project activities shall be implemented through the following components:

Component A:

A1. Hydro-electro-mechanical equipment, associated civil works and 33kV Evacuation line:

• Construction Designs, Supply, installation, test and commissioning of Hydro-Electro-Mechanical (HEM) equipment and the steel penstock;
• Plant Civil works, buildings and all other necessary civil works constructions;
• Construction of 8km 33kV line from the Power plant to the existing cross-border line; and
• Construction of associated 33kV substations including provision of possible future extensions.

A2. Access Road

• Construction of new 8km access road
• Complete rehabilitation of 10km existing access road

A3. Electricity Access to local communities

• Distribution lines and service connections

Component B:

Consultancy services for Design, preparation of bidding documents, tendering and Supervision of construction works.

• Implementation of the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), Livelihood Restoration Program and Gender Action Plan (GAP)
• Acquisition of two project vehicles and office equipment
• Provision for purchase of hydrological data acquisition system and data collection equipment Support to the PCU, consumables, fuel, vehicle maintenance, etc. Audit services

Component C: