Owner’s Engineer for the Completion of the Mini-grid in Lofa

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project Grant No.: TF-A1646

Owner’s Engineer for the Construction of Mini Grid System in Lofa County

Reference No LR-RREA-499200-CS-QCBS

Issue Date: July 4, 2025

Deadline: July 18, 2025

• Back ground

The Government of Liberia has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP), and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP) is a partnership project between GoL and the World Bank that aims at increasing access to electricity and fostering the use of renewable energy sources in Lofa, Liberia, and runs up to Decenber 31, 2025. It supports Liberia’s NES and directly aligns with global, regional, and sub-regional developmental strategies for increasing universal access to energy. Overall, the project’s outcomes will significantly contribute to the overarching GoL’s goal of achieving sustainable economic transformation and poverty reduction.

Mainly, the LIRENAP is currently developing a hybrid mini-grid in Lofa County (among others) as relevant for this assignment, which has the main components below. The project is expected to provide access to electricity for at least 50,000 people, including small businesses, associations, and public institutions in Lofa County. The beneficiaries of this decentralized electricity include the towns of Voinjama, Foya, Kolahun, Massambolahun, Bolahun & surrounding areas in Lofa County.

the main infrastructure components of the current project included:

• The development of a 4.0MWp solar plant with a 9.4MWh BESS

• The 1.8MW diesel power plant, serving as a backup generation source for the solar plant is scheduled for commissioning by or before December 2025).

• The 1.8MW diesel power plant, serving as a backup generation source for the solar plant is scheduled for commissioning by or before December 2025).

• The distribution network serving 10,317 service connections will also be commissioned by or before December 2025.

• After commissioning the diesel power plant and distribution network will be safeguarded until after commissioning of the Solar PV and BESS power system, scheduled in February 2026.

• Commercial operation of the Lofa mini grid comprising of the solar PV+BESS power plant, the diesel power plant and distribution network will start by or before March 2026 after commissioning of the solar PB + BESS power plant and hand over of the entire system to the Operator.

• Objective of the Assignment

The Owner’s Engineer shall assist RREA to deliver the remainder of the project on time and within budget. This shall, among others, be achieved by: (i) reviewing the distribution network as build and compare it with the contract and its subsequent amendments; (ii) supervision of the pre-commissioning and commissioning of the distribution network; (iii) formulating clear recommendations for RREA on acceptance of the distribution network; (iv) reviewing the diesel power plant as build and compare it with the contract and its subsequent amendments; (v) supervision of the pre-commissioning and commissioning of the diesel power plant; (vi) formulating clear recommendations for RREA on acceptance of the diesel power plant; (vii) reviewing the PV + BESS power plant as build and compare it with the contract and its subsequent amendments; (viii) supervision of the pre-commissioning and commissioning of the PV + BESS power plant; (ix) formulate clear recommendations for RREA on acceptance of the PV+BESS power plant; and (x) providing transaction advisory services to RREA on the Operations & Maintenance of the mini-grid (implementation); (xi) building capacity of RREA staff by explaining all aspects of the above assignments; and (xii) monitoring implementation progress (time and budget), reporting on a weekly basis, to RREA with copies to the World Bank and proposing remedial actions where needed.

• Scope of the Assignment

The Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA) seeks the services of a qualified and experienced consulting firm to act as Owner’s Engineer (OE) for the supervision of pre-commissioning and commissioning activities of three interconnected infrastructure components under the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP) and the Liberia Electricity Sector Strengthening and Access Project (LESSAP). These include:

• Distribution Network (Work Package 2)

• Diesel Power Plant (Work Package 3)

• PV+BESS Power Plant (Work Package 1)

The Consultant will operate in accordance with internationally recognized engineering supervision practices and applicable Liberian laws, ensuring compliance with technical, environmental, and social requirements. Key responsibilities include:

a. Supervision of Pre-commissioning and Commissioning Activities

• Review and assessment of contractor contracts, technical documents, and plans.

• Inspection and verification of system construction against contract specifications.

• Oversight of pre-commissioning tests (e.g., calibration, continuity, insulation, integration).

• Supervision of commissioning and performance testing under actual and simulated conditions.

• System validation and optimization to ensure operational readiness and efficiency.

• Defect identification and supervision of corrective actions.

• Validation of test records and final handover documentation including O&M manuals, as-built drawings, and certifications.

• Preparation of detailed reports on findings and recommendations to RREA.

b. Technical Training and Knowledge Transfer

• Provide on-the-job training and capacity-building for RREA technical staff in the planning, design, supervision, and operation of solar PV, BESS, diesel generation, and T&D systems.

• Engage RREA staff directly in technical reviews and field supervision.

c. Implementation Monitoring

• Prepare and submit weekly progress reports to RREA and the World Bank.

• Recommend remedial actions in cases of delays or budget issues.

• Organize emergency meetings where critical risks to timelines or costs are identified.

d. Reporting and Deliverables

The Consultant shall submit:

• Weekly implementation progress reports.

• Reports on each pre-commissioning and commissioning phase.

• Final supervision and handover report.

• Training records and knowledge transfer documentation

. A detailed breakdown of the scope of work is outlined in the full Terms of Reference (ToR).

• Qualification, Experience and Competencies of the Assignment

Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria shall be but not limited to the following indicated below;

• Extensive Experience: At least 10 years of demonstrable expertise in detailed engineering design, construction supervision, and management of solar PV projects with BESS including in the position of Owner’s Engineer;

• Project Assignments: Successfully completed at least 3 assignments directly related to the above-specified expertise, one of which must have been in Sub-Saharan Africa or developing countries;

• Commissioning Expertise: Proven experience in supervising end-to-end pre-commissioning and commissioning processes for distribution networks and diesel power plants, including solar PV plants with BESS;

• Mini-Grid Integration: Demonstrated ability to supervise the integration of mini-grid systems involving renewable energy sources, diesel power plants, and distribution networks;

• Operational Expertise: Strong understanding of best practices in O&M for mini-grids, including asset management and optimization;

• Institutional Capacity: Good reputation with strong institutional capacity, technical and managerial expertise, quality management systems, skilled technical staff, and financial soundness, etc.;

• Regional Experience: Proven track record in supervising projects in environments similar to Liberia or the region.

• Procurement Knowledge: Familiarity with the World Bank Standard Bidding Documents and Procurement Guidelines.

• Good reputation of project in the region; The firm must have a good track record of project successfully implemented within the region

The attention of interested firms is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised November 2017, and August 2018, November 2020, September 2023 and revised in February 2025 setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Please refer to paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest related to this assignment which is available on the Bank’s website at http://projectsbeta.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/products-and-services/brief/.

A Consulting Firm will be selected in accordance with Quality and Cost Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained electronically at the following email addresses and Website, from Mondays to Fridays, from 0900 to 1600 hours GMT:

Email: [email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected], [email protected]

Website: www.rrealiberia.org

Expression of Interest clearly marked Consultancy for Owner’s Engineer for the Construction of Mini Grid System in Lofa County must be delivered in an electronic/mail copy to the address below, on or before 4:00 p.m. Local Time on July 18, 2025.

Attn: Samuel Bocay Nagbe Jr.

Executive Director

Rural and Renewable Energy Agency

LEC Sub-station, Newport Street

1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia

Email: samuelnrrealiberia.org

Electronic submission should also be co