The Ministry of Mining and Energy of Serbia launched a public call to select a strategic partner to install solar power plants totaling 1 GW in connection capacity (1.2 GW in peak terms) alongside at least 200 MW of battery storage with the possibility of storing a minimum of 400 MWh.
The deadline to file offers for the strategic partnership to install solar power plants and battery storage is September 20, according to the announcement.
In early May, the Government of Serbia initiated the procedure for selecting a contractor to build the facilities and hand them over to state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Srbije (EPS) under a turnkey deal. Ten days ago the government adopted a decree that defines the content and the process of the implementation of the public call, the criteria for participation and the evaluation of bids as well as the method of choosing the strategic partner.
The strategic partner will be required to secure letters of intent concerning financing for the project
The selected company will be tasked with operating and maintaining the solar power plants and energy storage units for two years, the public call reads.
The strategic partner will be required to secure letters of intent concerning the financing for the project, with a repayment term of at least 15 years.
During the selection, the regulatory framework for the public procurement procedure and public-private partnership won’t be applied, the public call reads.
The criteria for accepting bids include a significant amount of work on the construction of power plants, with a capacity of at least 25,000 MW, more than 5,000 employees, and a EUR 4.5 billion turnover per year over the last three years.
Of note, the government also intends to do the same for wind farms with a total capacity of 1 GW.
Source : Balkan Green Energy News
