REQUEST FOR BIDS
PLANT DESIGN, SUPPLY AND INSTALLATION (WITHOUT PREQUALIFICATION)
Employer: Lesotho Electricity Company (Pty) Ltd
Project: Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP)
Contract Title: Design Build Contractor for Upgradation of Mini-Grid with Solar PV / BESS with Associated Distribution Infrastructure and Rehabilitation of Small-Hydropower Plant plus one (1) year of Operation and Maintenance at Semonkong
Country: Lesotho
Credit No.: 6532-LS
RFB No.: LS-LEC-478458-CW-RFB
Issued on: 6th November 2025
1. Background
The Government of the Kingdom of Lesotho has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP) and intends to apply part of the proceeds toward payments under the contract for the Rehabilitation and Upgrading of the Lesotho Electricity Company Mini-Grid at Semonkong.
2. Invitation to Bid
The Lesotho Electricity Company (Pty) Ltd (LEC or “Employer”) now invites sealed bids from eligible bidders for the Design, Supply, and Installation of the Mini-Grid System, including Solar PV, Battery Energy Storage System (BESS), associated distribution infrastructure, and rehabilitation of the Small Hydropower Plant, plus one (1) year of Operation and Maintenance at Semonkong.
Scope of Works
The works include, but are not limited to, the following components:
i) Mini-Grid Architecture
a. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of a fully functioning mini-grid consisting of a Small Hydropower Plant (210kW), a Solar PV Plant (1MWp), and a BESS (1MW/1.5MWh). The existing diesel generators shall also be integrated into the mini-grid.
b. Design, supply, installation, and commissioning of an appropriate SCADA and Energy Management System (EMS) for optimal operations of the Hydropower–Solar–BESS–Diesel mini-grid.
c. The EMS shall be locally operated and controlled, and include all necessary components, including Uninterruptible Power Supplies (UPS) for critical equipment.
ii) Small Hydropower
a. Remedial works to the main weir.
b. Implementation of riverbank protection works.
c. Decommissioning of existing intake equipment, including trash rack, intake sliding gate, and sediment flushing gate.
d. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of new intake equipment.
e. Decommissioning of Surge Chamber trash rack and flushing valve.
f. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of new Surge Chamber equipment as listed above.
g. Decommissioning of penstock pipework.
h. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of new penstock pipework.
i. Decommissioning of existing 190 kW Francis-type turbine generating unit, including all associated control systems and electrical/mechanical auxiliaries.
j. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of new Small Hydro turbine generating unit(s) and associated electrical and mechanical auxiliaries, digital control systems, and communication systems.
k. Design and implementation of necessary civil works and upgrades to accommodate the proposed generating equipment in the powerhouse, including remedial works to the existing powerhouse.
iii) Solar PV System
a. Design and implementation of necessary civil works and site upgrades (access roads, PV plant site preparation, etc.).
b. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of a 1MWp turnkey Solar PV Power Plant, including PV modules, foundations, mounting structures, junction boxes, inverters, transformers, switchgear, DC/AC and communication cabling, earthing systems, weather stations, SCADA, control room, fencing, and grid connection.
iv) Battery Energy Storage System (BESS)
a. Design, supply, transportation, installation, and commissioning of a turnkey BESS (minimum 1MW / 1.5MWh usable energy measured on the AC-side of the inverter), including batteries, inverters, control systems, transformers, protections, cables, earthing, lightning protection, foundations, fencing, and grid connection.
v) Power Distribution
a. Prepare an electrification survey for approval by the Project Manager.
b. Design, supply, and deliver at least 100 new customer connections and related distribution infrastructure.
vi) Operation and Maintenance (O&M)
a. One (1) year of Operation and Maintenance of the mini-grid.
b. Provision of O&M manuals.
c. Comprehensive training and handover to the Employer.
d. Supply of five (5) years’ worth of spare parts.
3. Bidding Process
Bidding will be conducted through National Competitive Procurement using a Request for Bids (RFB) as specified in the World Bank’s Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (July 2016, updated February 2025 – Sixth Edition), and is open to all eligible bidders as defined in the regulations.
4. Further Information
Interested eligible bidders may obtain further information from the LREEAP LEC Project Implementation Unit (PIU):
Contact Person:
Mr. Leloko Mokhutsoane, Project Coordinator (Acting), LREEAP
Email: [email protected] | Cc: [email protected]
Office hours for inquiries: 08:00 – 17:00 (local time)
5. Purchasing of Bidding Documents
The bidding documents in English may be purchased upon submission of a written application and payment of a non-refundable fee of LSL 6,000.00 (Six Thousand Maloti).
Payment Method: Direct deposit (EFT or cash deposit) into the account below.
Reference: “LREEAP ENERGY TENDER”
After payment, proof of payment (POP) must be submitted to the Director of Finance, Ministry of Energy, 2nd Floor, Africa House, Government Complex, Kingsway, Maseru. A receipt will be issued and emailed to obtain the bidding document.
Banking Details:
Account Holder: Central Bank of Lesotho
Account Name: Main Revenue Epicor 10
Bank: Central Bank of Lesotho (CBL)
Account Number: 0101403715016
BIC Code: CBLELSMXXX
Branch Code: 586611
Address: Corner Airport and Moshoeshoe Roads, Maseru, Lesotho
6. Submission and Opening of Bids
Bids must be delivered to the address below on or before 11th December 2025 at 10:00 hours.
Electronic submissions will not be accepted. Late bids will be rejected.
Bids will be publicly opened in the presence of bidders’ representatives and interested parties on 11th December 2025 at 10:30 hours at the address below.
A pre-bid meeting will be held on 18th November 2025 at 10:00 hours at the Semonkong Urban Council Offices Boardroom, Semonkong, followed by a site visit at 11:30 hours at the Semonkong LEC Office.
7. Bid Security
All bids must be accompanied by a Bid-Securing Declaration using the form provided in the bidding document.
8. Disclosure Requirements
Attention is drawn to the Procurement Regulations requiring the Borrower to disclose information on the successful bidder’s beneficial ownership, as part of the Contract Award Notice, using the Beneficial Ownership Disclosure Form included in the bidding document.
9. Submission Address
Lesotho Renewable Energy and Energy Access Project (LREEAP) – LEC
Attention: Mr. Leloko Mokhutsoane
120 Lancers Road, Opposite the New State House,
Maseru West, Lesotho
Email: [email protected] | Cc: [email protected]