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The Grenada Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has launched a call for bidders to prequalify for a 15.1 MWp solar project at the Maurice Bishop International Airport, as part of the islands energy transition.
The Grenada Public Utilities Regulatory Commission (PURC) has launched a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) to pre-qualify bidders for an Independent Power Producer (IPP) tender. The project aims to establish a 15.1 MWp solar system at Maurice Bishop International Airport, marking a key step in the island’s energy transition.
The proposed photovoltaic project – first revealed in September but launched in November – will consist of three separate plants, integrated into the national grid through Grenada Electricity Services Ltd. (Grenlec). According to officials, this project is in line with the country’s overall goals of improving its renewable energy mix and reducing dependence on fossil fuels.
The successful bidder will sign a 25-year power purchase agreement with Grenlec, the countrys only utility, and enter into a long-term relationship to operate and maintain the solar plants.
The Grenada renewable energy project is one of the main components of the country’s renewable energy strategy, which aims to achieve 100% renewable energy in the electricity and transport sectors by 2030. The country’s energy landscape is currently dominated by fossil fuels, but this new project is expected to increase renewable energy capacity and reduce electricity generation costs through large-scale solar systems and possible battery storage systems.
Prospective IPPs are expected to submit prequalification applications by 8 December 2024, with the possibility of being shortlisted for the subsequent Request for Proposals (RFP) phase, scheduled for January 2025.
PURC, along with partners such as the Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI), will oversee the bidding process, with an evaluation committee tasked with reviewing proposals. The successful bidder will be responsible for financing, designing, constructing and maintaining the airport’s photovoltaic infrastructure.
Grenlec, for its part, will modernize the grid infrastructure and build a new substation to support the integration of solar plants. The project is designed to contribute to national renewable energy goals and strengthen the energy resilience of the airport, which will be equipped with a microgrid capable of supplying reliable power during prolonged grid outages.
In the pre-qualification phase, applicants will be required to demonstrate their experience in commercial-scale solar energy projects, including financing, engineering and integration with existing energy systems. This is part of a broader initiative to diversify Grenada’s energy sources and meet international climate commitments, including a 40% reduction in emissions by 2030.
PURC will notify applicants of their qualification status following evaluation of the RFQ. Only those who meet the criteria will be invited to submit proposals for the RFP, which will outline the full scope of work for the airport solar PV project.
Statistics from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) show that Granada had 4 MW of cumulative installed solar capacity at the end of 2023. |
