1. INTRODUCTION

Georgia has considerable resources of almost all types of renewable energy sources (RES) solar, wind, geothermal and hydro. The achievable annual potential of all RES can be estimated at 10-15 terawatt hours (TWh).

The Georgian Government diversifies energy market and introduces new sources of renewable energy generation to the local market. One of the kind of the renewable energies is PV plant and as a result solar photovoltaic industry growth in recent years has surpassed any other renewable energy sources worldwide. In more countries solar PV is a proven and feasible technology. Georgia has a lot of sunny days during a year and for this reason, we decided to develop the first solar power plant in Georgia. In addition it will be the first one in the region.

JSC “Georgian Energy Development Fund” (GEDF) is a state-owned joint stock company engaged with development of renewable energy projects. Presently GEDF is developing Udabno Solar power plant Project based on fixed photovoltaic panels. The project is located near the village, named Udabno. The installed capacity of the project is 5 MW.

GEDF is looking for a consultant company (hereinafter referred to as the “Consultant”) in order to get a bankable solar resource assessment with the item to assess the feasibility of developing the 5MW solar PV plant.



2. OBJECTIVE OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY

An in-depth feasibility study is required for the identified project site at UDABNO, determined by the Client. The overall objective of the study is to determine feasibility on grid-connected solar power plant of approximately 5 MW of installed capacity with fixed panels. The purpose of these study is to assess the most suitable technology of solar PV and invertors for the chosen area, the technical feasibility of solar PV installations, what means the proper fixed tilt angle for solar panels and face direction in order to capture the most sun energy during a year, estimate annual energy yield and site impacts of different PV options. The Consultant has to prepare a report, based on the obtained information from reliable solar resource data bases (from NREL, NASA etc.) or in necessary cases use measurements, taken from satellites and the previously generated solar maps as a basis of feasibility studies, but also should work closely with other consultants conducting renewable energy resource assessment. As more accurate information on resource potential becomes available, the Consultant will produce and update the feasibility studies for the project.



3. SCOPE OF WORK

The consultant must:



assess the technical feasibility of solar PV installations for the site: Propose the proper fixed tilt angle for solar panels and face direction as a part of the optimized plant layout;
suggest 3 alternative version of technologies and chose the best reasonable one: determine the optimal solar PV technology among 3 solar PV technologies (e.g. thin film, monocrystalline and polycrystalline) that could be installed in the chosen site as well as define the more suitable inverter type;
detail and estimate various losses as well as describe the causes of losses. Electrical losses Influence of temperature variances on the efficiency of the plant and etc.;
Assess and consider the site-specific factors, including soiling or rain, and the cleaning regime based on the relevant statistical/meteorogical data;
Perform shading analysis including near and far shading;
model, calculate and tabulate the net and gross yearly, monthly and daily electricity production for various technologies of the site (taking into account all losses, yearly degradation, etc.). Give the detailed uncertainty study, describing how the uncertainty estimate is derived;
undertake a capital investment appraisal for the site to determine the CAPEX breakdown (including auxiliary systems and connection to the grid) for each technology;
suggest a method to calculate the operational and maintenance costs (OPEX) for each technology;
suggest a method to calculate the levelized energy cost for each technology resulting from the installation of the plant;
suggest a method to calculate the IRR of a solar PV plant based on the most suitable technology and the selected site;
provide an overview suppliers of these PV and inverters, which most suit the identified site;
Prepare the final report, which will have to be bankable. The applied criteria and processes have to follow best practice, bankable standards and scientific insights;
The Final Report should include the annual energy yield assessment with all the relevant data that would be acceptable and in compliance with the IFIs standards and requirements for the project financing purposes , including but not limited to EBRD, ADB, IFC.


4. INFORMATION PROVIDED BY GEDF

GEDF will provide the following information:



The detailed topographic map of the site;
Planning area of the site and relevant infrastructure;
Information regarding Geology and Geophysics of the area
All relevant exclusion areas that are to be considered in the layout optimization;


5. MISCELLANEOUS

The duration of the assignment is 3 (three) months. The Consultant shall appoint the qualified staff with relevant education and experience in the renewable energy sector, particular in solar energy, and has deep familiarity in preparing feasibility studies in the field of solar power plants. The Consultant must perform all needed jobs and activities to complete the work. The Consultant is expected to perform a site visit in case of necessity to review in detail all technical aspects related to the feasibility of the project. GEDF should be consulted at least seven (7) days ahead, in order to plan attendance. GEDF will provide transport to/from airport, and will attend the site visit. The Consultant will be responsible for all costs related to the assignment, such as communication, travel, accommodation, conference calls and other relevant expenses.

The Consultant must present the resulting work in a way of comprehensive report, with relevant appendices and attachments. The report must be written in English and it has to be converted in a digital version of PDF file format, including all other requested information with detailed tables of content and etc. In addition 3 signed paper copies must be delivered to GEDF’s main office by post. The report must conclude the Work performed by the Consultant, and contain all relevant information. The Consultant must provide the services in close cooperation with GEDF. If significant changes in terms of schedule, supply, quality of work, GEDF must be informed immediately.



6. ACCEPTANCE OF WORK

As primary and intermediate drafts of the Work will be submitted to the customer. GEDF will propose own comments within (5) five working days. The Consultant is obliged to comment on and update the Work according to these comments before submission of the final draft. The final draft must be accepted by GEDF as long as the Work covers the requirements set forth in the Scope of Work and answers all comments set forth by GEDF to a reasonable degree.

GEDF has right but not an obligation to appoint an independent internationally reputable consulting company with an aim to perform the expertize of the final draft report, who will be granted all the requested information (by the consultant) regarding calculation methodology, assumptions and databases that have been used during the report preparation works. In case there will be identified any deviations from the international best practices and/or Standards and requirements of the IFIs , the consultant will be oblige to make all the necessary recalculations and amendments in order to achieve a full compliance with the mentioned standards.



7. FORM OF PROPOSAL

Applications for this consultancy should be e-mailed to the following e-mail: s.gegeshidze@gedf.com.ge before 28 of October 2016, with “Technical Feasibility Study for Solar PV Systems” in the subject line

The Proposal must describe:

Understanding of the requirements;
Technical description of approach for each of the sub-tasks in Scope of Work and Options, including software and other data used to conclude the work;
a complete description and explanation of the proposed methodology;
Brief description of experience from similar projects;
staffing, names, experience and qualifications of the personnel, who will be involved in the project and any other resources that the consultant will make available to execute the assignment and achieve the objective; The Consultant team shall consist of: A Project Manager with at least 10 years of experience in similar assignments in the sector; A Technical Experts (e.g. at least one engineer with Solar PV modelling Expertise, with at least 10 years of experience in similar assignments in the sector
Description of reporting format and content;
The Consultant can provide an example of a report to illustrate how parts of the tasks described are normally performed in the Scope of Work. This can be used as a substitute for technical descriptions in the Proposal. The Proposal shall be signed by a duly authorized representative of the Consultant Company. Preferably the invoicing shall be made upon final delivery. A maximum of 20% can be invoiced upon contract agreement against a bank guarantee.


8. CONTRACT AWARD

The proposals will be evaluated by a Committee appointed by GEDF. An initial evaluation of the Proposals will be made to identify the Proposers that comply with the Requirements and present a Proposal suited for solving the tasks set forth in the Scope of Work. From these Qualified Proposers, GEDF will select the offer with the lowest price but with the acceptable quality. The Committee will make a decision till 11/11/2016. Information regarding the decision will be announced to all participants. All disputes arising in connection with the contract, including its conclusion, which cannot be settled amicably between the parties, shall be finally settled by the court of Georgia.