Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project

REPUBLIC OF LIBERIA

REGIONAL EMERGENCY SOLAR POWER INTERVENTION PROJECT

SECTOR: ENERGY

GENERAL PROCUREMENT NOTICE

Credit No.: IDA72640

Project ID No.: 179267

The Government of the Republic of Liberia has received financing in the amount of US$ 96 million equivalent from the World Bank toward the cost of the Regional Emergency Solar Power Intervention Project, and it intends to apply part of the proceeds to payments for goods, works, non-consulting services and consulting services to be procured under this project.

The project will include the following components: RESPITE funds the expansion of the Mt. Coffee Hydropower Plant (MCHPP) from 88 MW to 128 MW. MCHPP is a hydroelectric plant with 4x 22MW Francis turbines on the Saint Paul River in Liberia. The extension will utilize the two additional water intakes (currently plugged with concrete) that were added to the plant during the first power station upgrade in the 1970s and expand the existing plant by adding new 4x 10MW Z type vertical axis Kaplan turbine-generator units, with water conveyed through the bifurcation of two new penstocks from the intake to feed the units. The existing dam and intake structure will not be altered.

The physical execution of MCHPP Extension is expected to be via two (2) contracts: (i) Civil works – extending the existing powerhouse, and (ii) combined EM and HM works – new turbines, generators, transformers, and ancillary systems, associated penstocks, gates, and related hydraulic components, tailored to the market and to be awarded in accordance with the World Bank Procurement Regulations. LEC retains an international panel of experts to advise on MCHPP Extension design and procurement packages, ensuring technical soundness and value for money.

In this context, the LEC is undertaking Early Market Engagement (EME) to engage with prospective contractors and suppliers before a formal procurement process. The EME will help inform key design, contractual, and strategic choices by (i) gauging market interest and capacity among qualified contractors and suppliers, and obtaining feedback from suppliers on packaging, scoping preference, etc., and (ii) validating the most competitive and feasible procurement packaging structure for the extension, based on market responsiveness. It will also provide prospective suppliers and contractors with information on the project needs and requirements and procurement procedures to be followed.

The first “informal” outreach to prospective suppliers and contractors will be at the Africa 2025 Hydropower Conference in Ghana (8-10 July 2025). In addition, interested suppliers and contractors will be invited to attend a Teams presentation of the project on 25th July, which will be the start of the EME process. Suppliers and contractors will also be able to undertake formal site visits to MCHPPP from 25th July and during the bidding process, upon request, at their own cost.

Procurement of contracts financed by the World Bank will be conducted through the procedures as specified in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, as revised in November 2017, August 2018, November 2020, and September 2023) and is open to all eligible firms as defined in the Procurement Regulations. After project negotiations, the World Bank shall arrange the publication on its external website of the agreed initial procurement plan and all subsequent updates once it has provided a no-objection.

Specific procurement notices for contracts subject to open international competitive procurement will be announced, as they become available, in UN Development Business online, on the World Bank’s external website, and the Liberia Electricity Corporation website, www.lecliberia.com

Interested eligible firms and individuals who would wish to be considered for the provision of goods, works, non-consulting services, and consulting services for the above-mentioned project, or those requiring additional information, should contact the Borrower at the address below:

Executive Director for Projects

Liberia Electricity Corporation

P.O. Box 10-165 Waterside

Water Street,

1000 Monrovia, Liberia

Email: [email protected] and copied to [email protected]