Consultancy Service for Preparation of Environmental and Social Assessments for a Solar Photovoltaic, Wind Farm and a Battery Energy Storage System Installation in Botswana

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST

(CONSULTANCY SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Assignment Title: Consultancy Service for Preparation of Environmental and Social Assessments for a Solar Photovoltaic, Wind Farm and a Battery Energy Storage System Installation in Botswana

Reference No.: BW-MME-388381-CS-CQS

• Background The Government of Botswana (GoB) is currently preparing the following projects as per the Integrated Resource Plan: (i) 100 MW solar PV, (ii) 100 MW wind and (iii) 50 MW battery storage energy systems (BESS)

The GoB has received a grant funding from the Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP) of the World Bank to undertake a number of preparatory studies and transaction advisory services to support the development of these projects. The Projects Energy Development Unit (PEDU) under the Ministry of Minerals and Energy (MME), is the Project Implementing Unit (PIU) of the grant and will be responsible for overseeing progress of the project activities, outcomes, and results (Client).

The present assignment aims to hire a consulting firm to prepare a full Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) for each of the solar PV and wind, and an Abbreviated ESIA for the BESS project (so three distinct deliverables). The Consultant shall ensure that it performs all necessary works and services, in accordance with this TOR and those set out in the World Bank ESF and Botswana Environmental Assessment Regulations (2012).

• Scope of Work

The Assignment is comprised of the following tasks:

a) Scoping Study - The Consultant will prepare a project brief, in the prescribed format, as required under national law and submit this to the Department of Environmental Affairs (DEA) for consideration. The consultant shall thereafter carry out a scoping study which meets the requirements of the World Bank ESF, current internationally accepted standards of data collection, reporting and analysis and in compliance with the requirements of the national law.

b) Stakeholder Engagement - The consultant will, in cooperation with the PIU, undertake planning and implementation of stakeholder engagement activities to inform the ESIA (including Scoping) process and disclosure outcomes.

c) Preparation of the ESIA and the Report - The Consultant will carry out the necessary studies and processes culminating in a detailed ESIA Report including an ESMP (Environmental and Social Management Plan) report and supporting documents, including but not limited to Terms of References for the preparation of a Resettlement Action Plan/ Livelihood Restoration Plan, Indigenous People/ Sub-Saharan African Historically Under deserved Traditional Local Communities (IP/SSAHUTLC) and Biodiversity Management Plan, if identified during the scoping report as required. Terms of References for the preparation of a Labor Management Plan and Occupational Health and Safety Plan consistent with the World Bank Environmental and Social Standard (ESS) 2, should be prepared as part of the ESMP.

d) Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) - Based on the results of the ESIA, the Consultant shall prepare an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), consistent with the requirements and format of the Environmental Assessment Regulations (2012) and the indicative outline that compiles the impacts and required mitigation measures as identified in the ESIA, as well as the monitoring requirements to ensure that the identified measures are implemented and any unforeseen impact is identified and handled aligned with the ESMP.

PEDU invites eligible consulting firms/Consortium (‘’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:

a) Core Business: minimum 5 years' experience in preparing environmental impact assessments (ESIA) and impact management (ESMP) for renewable energy projects with particular regard to PV, Wind and BESS.

b) Demonstrate experience of preparing at least 1 ESIA for each technology, in total at least 5 projects.

c) Demonstrate experience with EIA regulation in Botswana (at least 1 project).

d) Demonstrate experience with the application of international standards including World Bank Environment and Social Framework (ESF).

e) The consultant shall be illegible to work with International Financial Institutions

f) The consultant shall not be conflicted

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016, revised in November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023 setting forth the World Bank’s Policy on Conflict of Interest.

Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications. Where firms are associating, the submission must include verifiable evidence of association from all the parties.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the CQS method set out in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers dated July 2016, revised in November 2017, August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023. Interested Consultants may obtain further information in writing at the address below during office hours i.e. 07:30 – 16:30 hrs.

Expressions of Interest, clearly labelled ‘’Expression of Interest – Consultancy Service for preparing Environmental and Social assessments For a Solar Photovoltaic, Wind Farm and a Battery Energy Storage System Installation in Botswana’’ must be hand delivered in a written form to the address below by

10 November 2023 at 12:00hrs local time.

Attention: The Permanent Secretary

Ministry of Minerals and Energy

3rd Floor, Office DT 10 Energy Security Plot 50656,

Fairground Office Park

Gaborone

Country: Republic of Botswana

Telephone: (+267) 3640260/200

Facsimile number: (+267) 3909368

Electronic mail address: [email protected]