Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Studies — Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC)

ZIMBABWE ELECTRICITY TRANSMISSION AND DISTRIBUTION COMPANY (ZETDC)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(Consulting Services - Firms Selection)

Country: Zimbabwe

Project Name: Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Procurement Technical Assistance (ZREP-TA) Project

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: TF0D0261

Source of Financing and Project Identification No: World Bank (P511160)

Assignment Title: EOI for Environmental & Social and Technical Site Studies under ZREP-TA Project

Procurement Reference No.: ZREP-TA/E & S/01/2025

• Background

The Government of Zimbabwe (GoZ) has received financing from the World Bank towards the cost of implementing the Zimbabwe Renewable Energy Procurement Technical Assistance (ZREP-TA) Project. The ZREP TA Project is being implemented by the Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC) under the Ministry of Energy and Power Development (MoEPD).

The consulting services (“the Services”) include support the GoZ to transition towards a sustainable and inclusive energy system through competitive procurement of renewable energy from Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

As part of the preparatory activities for the Solar PV Park Auction, the GoZ, through ZETDC, intends to engage a qualified Consulting Firm or firms associated through a Joint Venture of Sub Consultancy arrangement to undertake “Environmental and Social Studies” for Solar PV Parks in the Republic of Zimbabwe.

• Objectives of the Assignment

The objectives of the consulting services assignment are to prepare:

• Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA)

• Environmental and Social Management Plans (ESMP)

• Resettlement Action Plans (RAP), if required

• Technical Site Studies (Geotechnical, Hydrology, Seismic, Topography, and Biodiversity)

• Stakeholder Engagement activities, including development and implementation of a Stakeholder Engagement Plan (SEP), in accordance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF).

Each Solar PV Park Site is estimated to have a capacity of 50–100 MWp, including associated grid connection infrastructure.

The studies will comply with Zimbabwean law and comply with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF) to ensure environmental sustainability, social acceptability, and technical feasibility.

The duration of the assignment is expected to be between nine (9) and twelve (12) months. The implementation period for the proposed activities is anticipated to begin in June 2026, with final deliverables expected no earlier than February 2027 to allow for appropriate seasonal surveys, stakeholder engagement, and technical study timelines.

The ZETDC now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the required Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services (brief company profile (ownership, organizational structure, core areas of expertise). The shortlisting criteria include:

• Minimum ten (10) years of relevant experience in environmental, social, and technical studies for large-scale infrastructure or renewable energy projects.

• Proven experience with the World Bank or other International Financial Institutions’ Environmental and Social Frameworks, including preparation of ESIAs, ESMPs, RAPs, and stakeholder engagement activities.

• Successful completion of at least three (3) comparable assignments within the past ten (10) years, involving ESIA and technical studies (geotechnical, hydrology, seismic, topography, biodiversity) for utility-scale solar PV or similar large-scale power projects.

• Capacity to undertake multidisciplinary assignments, either internally or through joint ventures/sub-consultancies. Given the multisectoral nature of this assignment, firms are strongly encouraged to form joint ventures or engage specialized sub-consultants.

• Demonstrated experience in environmental science, social safeguards and resettlement, ecology/biodiversity, geology, hydrology, seismology, and topographic surveying.

Project references submitted should include the following: project title, client, contract value, description of services provided, project location, dates of implementation, and confirmation that the assignment was successfully completed and accepted by the client.

Summary of qualifications and experience of firm’s principals/directors should be provided, along with a high-level overview of the proposed team structure (without individual CVs at this stage). Detailed CVs for key experts will only be requested from firms shortlisted and invited to submit full proposals.

Consulting firms should disclose any actual or potential conflicts of interest in accordance with paragraphs 3.13 to 3.16 of the World Bank Procurement Regulations (Sixth Edition, February 2025).

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications. Firms are free to determine the number of firms forming the joint venture or participating as sub consultants.

The Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the above indicated Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 08:30 to 12:30 and from 14:30 to 16:30 local time, Harare Zimbabwe (CAT).

• Submission of Expressions of Interest

Expressions of interest (EOI) accompanied by a cover letter, must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, by mail, or by e-mail) by 16:30 CAT on May 08, 2026.

EOIs must be clearly marked: “EOI for Environmental & Social and Technical Site Studies for Solar PV Parks under ZREP-TA Project”

EOIs or requests for clarifications should be submitted to:

Attention: Supply Chain Manager

Address: Zimbabwe Electricity Transmission and Distribution Company (ZETDC)

25 Samora Machel Avenue,

P.O. Box 377

Harare, Zimbabwe

Email: [email protected]

Tel: +263-242-774491/9; +263-242-774509/35