International Competitive Bidding (EPC + O)
Kenya — EPC and 7-Year Operation for Twelve Solar-Storage Micro-grids (18 MWp + 24 MWh)
18 MWp / 24 MWh
PV & Storage
12 sites, Kenya
Country
EPC with 7-year O&M
Contract Model
2026-12-30
Bid Deadline
01Project Overview
Project Name
EPC and 7-year operation for twelve solar-storage micro-grids in Kenya
Tender Reference
MEA/MG/2026-06
Country
Republic of Kenya — remote sites in Turkana, Marsabit and other counties (12 sites)
Project Type
Off-grid / weak-grid solar-storage micro-grids (with diesel backup and distribution upgrades) serving rural electrification
Installed Capacity
18 MWp PV + 24 MWh storage in total; 0.8–2.5 MWp per site; diesel backup limited to no more than 30% of supply
Procurement Method
International competitive bidding for an integrated design, supply, construct and operate package including 7-year O&M
Employer
Kenya Rural Power Access Ltd (SPV)
Regulator & Utility
Regulated by the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA) and interfacing with Kenya Power (KPLC) distribution
Funding Source
Sponsor equity plus international development assistance and climate funds
Duration
16 months from contract effectiveness to operation of all sites, plus 7-year O&M
Bid Language & Currency
English bid documents, USD denominated
02Project Background
Kenya's national electrification rate is around 75%, yet large unelectrified and weak-grid areas remain in the northern counties, where diesel generation is expensive and unreliable. Solar-storage micro-grids are the mainstream solution for displacing diesel and extending access.
The programme covers twelve sites and is tendered as an integrated EPC+O package with a 7-year operating period tied to availability and reliability KPIs. Contractors must demonstrate African off-grid delivery experience and capability in community-based operations.
03Scope of Work & Technical Specifications
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Scope of Work | Site survey and design, equipment supply and transport, civil works, installation and commissioning, distribution network upgrades, metering and revenue systems, 7-year O&M and community operations support |
| Solar PV System | N-type modules ≥ 570 Wp on ground-mount or carport structures; 0.8–2.5 MWp per site with dust mitigation and cleaning provisions |
| Battery Storage | LFP containerised storage totalling 24 MWh, IP55 rated, derated for 45 °C ambient, black-start capable |
| Diesel Backup | Backup diesel generators (≤ 6 MW in total) with automatic transfer, operating no more than 30% of annual supply hours |
| Micro-grid Control | Micro-grid controller with generation-load-storage coordination, frequency and voltage stability, priority load management and remote dispatch |
| Distribution & Metering | LV distribution upgrades, prepaid meters with mobile payment (e.g. M-Pesa), smart metering and revenue management system |
| Remote Monitoring | 24/7 remote monitoring centre in Nairobi, site alarm and fault response times, and a spare parts warehouse in Nairobi |
| Community & Training | Training of local technicians, community engagement and electrical safety awareness, and employment plans for women and youth |
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04Key Commercial Terms
| Item | Content |
|---|---|
| Bid Bond | USD 150,000 bank guarantee, valid 180 days |
| Performance Bond | 10% of contract price, on-demand guarantee |
| Advance Payment | 15% of contract price against an equal advance payment guarantee |
| Progress Payment | Paid per site against individual site milestones |
| O&M Fee | Paid annually from each site's operation date, linked to ≥ 97% availability, response times and customer connection targets |
| Warranty | 24-month system warranty; 25-year module linear performance warranty; BESS 10 years or 6,000 cycles |
| Performance Deductions | O&M fee deductions where availability falls below 97% or the diesel share exceeds the cap |
| Insurance | CAR/EAR, cargo, third-party liability and public liability during O&M borne by the contractor |
| Taxes & Employment | Contractor bears applicable Kenyan withholding tax and import duties and complies with local minimum wage and employment law |
| Dispute Resolution | Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration, Kenyan law governs |
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05Bidder Qualification Requirements
01
Track Record
At least 3 off-grid or micro-grid projects in Africa (≥ 500 kWp each) completed in the last 5 years, at least one including battery storage
02
O&M Capability
At least 3 years of off-grid plant O&M experience with a local African service team or long-term partner
03
Financial Capability
Net assets ≥ USD 30 million; 3-year average turnover ≥ USD 60 million
04
Certifications
Valid ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 certificates
05
Local Commitment
Commitment to at least 60% local employment during O&M, with a skills transfer plan and community operations approach
06
Safety & Integrity
No major HSE incident or project default in the last 3 years
06Key Milestones
30 Sep 2026
Tender Notice Issued
20 Oct 2026
Document Purchase Deadline
28 Oct 2026 (Nairobi)
Pre-bid Meeting
2 – 10 Nov 2026
Site Visits (batched)
25 Nov 2026
Clarification Requests
30 Dec 2026, 11:00 EAT
Bid Submission & Opening
Expected 15 Feb 2027
Notification of Award
Expected Q1 2027
Contract Effectiveness & Start
Q3 2028 (16 months after contract effectiveness)
All Sites in Operation
07Evaluation Criteria
Technical Evaluation65%
- Off-grid / micro-grid track record25%
- System design and equipment selection20%
- O&M approach and community operations plan20%
Commercial Evaluation35%
- EPC price25%
- 7-year O&M fee10%
Minimum Technical Threshold
Non-compliance with storage capacity, black-start or availability guarantee requirements leads to rejection
Award Principle
Highest combined score wins; the employer may split the award by site among bidders
