Feasibility Study for Upgrading of Mini-grid in Semonkong — Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP)

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) COUNTRY: Lesotho NAME OF PROJECT: Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP) Implementing Agency: Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) PROJECT ID: P166936 ASSIGNMENT OF TITLE: Feasibility Study for Upgrading of Mini-grid in Semonkong (Construction of a new Photovoltaic (PV) solar plant, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Expansion of Grid) and Rehabilitation of the Mini-hydro Power Plant. Reference No. LS-LEC-340848-CS-QCBS The Government of Lesotho has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include the following two phases: PHASE 1 • Undertake a feasibility study for the rehabilitation and upgrade of the mini-grid in Semonkong

ii) Refine Project Scope iii) Carry out Preliminary Designs iv) Undertake an Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) of the rehabilitation and upgrade of the mini grid in Semonkong to assess environmental and social risks and impacts throughout the project life cycle based on the terms of reference in Annex 1. v) Support the Client in the procurement of an Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) contractor. PHASE 2 vi) Provide Project Management & Supervision services for the construction works vii) Facilitate handover of the project to LEC when complete. The assignment will be implemented over a period of 24 months and is expected to commence in September 2023. The detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be found at the following website: www.lec.co.ls or can be obtained at the email address given below. The Lesotho Electricity Company (LEC) now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: (i) Evidence of registration of the firm in the home country, (ii) Firm’s core business alignment with the assignment, (iii) Firm’s institutional (technical and managerial) capacity, (iv) Similarity, value and nature of assignments successfully completed within the past ten (10) years and (v) International and regional (sub-Saharan Africa) experience. Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 updated November 2020 (Fourth Edition) (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Consultants shall not be hired for any assignment that would be in conflict with their prior or current obligations to other clients, or that may place them in a position of being unable to carry out the assignment in the best interests of the Borrower. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations. Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours i.e. 0800 to 1700 hours, local time Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below mail by 1st May, 2023 at 1200 Hours, local time. Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP) Attn: Project Manager LREEAP LEC 20 Lancers Road, Maseru, Lesotho Email for submission of Expressions of Interest and for clarification requests: makhabanel@lec.co.ls with a copy to mokhesengmokuoane@gmail.com