THE FEDERAL MINISTRY OF POWER IN COLLABORATION WITH NIGERIAN ENERGY SUPPORT PROGRAMME (NESP)
CALL FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST: TRAINING FOR SOLAR MINI-GRID DEVELOPERS
1. INTRODUCTION
The NIGERIAN ENERGY SUPPORT PROGRAMME (NESP) is a technical assistance programme co-funded by the European Union and the German federal ministry for economic cooperation and development (BMZ) and implemented by the Deutsche Gasellschaft fur international Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GnbH in collaboration with the federal ministry of power (FMP).
Since 2016, the Nigerian energy support programme (NESP) has played a key role in developing solar mini grids in Nigeria. This has included building the capacity of key stakeholders across the value chain, knowledge sharing, and collaborating with regulators such as the Nigerian electricity regulatory commission (NERC), council for the regulation of engineering in Nigeria, (COREN), Nigerian electricity management service agency (NEMSA)(, rural electrification agency (REA), and standard organization of Nigeria (SON), to create supportive guidelines, develop project standards and train professionals to bridge the skills gap in the sector. In this 3rd phase of the NESP, our aim is to accelerate the growth of solar mini-grids in line with the Nigerian energy transition plan of ramping up renewable backed electrifications to facilitate DE carbonization of key sectors of the economy. As a result, initiatives are underway to bridge the capacity gap that hinders the development of technically and financially viable projects.
NESP is launching a new training program with the following objectives:
• Facilitate market entry: encourage new mini-grid developers to harness the market potentials, increase competition and foster economic growth.
• Capacity development: deliver a comprehensive training program for up to 50 developers, equipping them with the practical’s skills and knowledge needed to execute mini-grid projects in line with industry standards.
• Institutionalize quality assurance: embed international best practices for project development process within the sector to ensure high-quality design and execution of all mini-grid projects in Nigeria.
2. SCOPE OF TRAINING AND LEARNING OUTCOME
The training programme will cover the following areas:
i. Introduction and basics of solar mini-grid
ii. Different mini-grids technologies
iii. Site identification & remote mapping
iv. On-site data collection and tools
v. Demand modeling and supply scenarios
vi. Distribution network layout and design
vii. Generation asset and system sizing
viii. Revenue collection- meeting technologies
ix. Financing modeling
x. Legal and regulatory compliance
xi. Procurement and financing
xii. Project management & leadership
xiii. Operations and monitoring (incl. remote monitoring )
xiv. Access to finance
xv. EV system integration
xvi. Proposal writing & reporting
At the end of the training programme, participants are expected to:
i. Have a thorough understanding of the technical, legal, regulatory, and managerial aspects of solar mini grid development.
ii. Be equipped with the skills and knowledge to execute mini-grid projects in line with industry best practices
iii. Be prepared for the emerging mini-grid market and contribute to the growth and development of the sector in Nigeria
iv. Confidently and actively develop sustainable min-grid projects
Additionally, participants who successfully complete the training programme will be introduced to the GET. Invest programme implemented by GIZ. Subject to meeting the eligibility criteria, successful companies will receive tailored advisory services on securing investment and funding tailored to their project needs.
Please be advised that this training program does not automatically qualify for an investment grant
3. ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
All interested applicants, (solar PV/mini-grid projects companies) are to submit genuine copies of the following documents:
i. Certificate of incorporation with corporate affairs commission (CAC) with copies of forms CO2 and CO7 attached. The company must have been incorporated/established for at least two (2) years. Companies incorporated less than two (2) years with at least three (3) years of industry experience via a sister-company may be considered.
ii. Evidence of electricity generation installations/infrastructure i.e. solar, mesh grids, mini grids, EV integration, and/or O&M contract or with detailed plan for implementing similar project. This may include
• Power generation installations e.g large solr home systems for residential or commercial applications or mini grids
• Provide geotagged photos of each installation if possible (within the last 2 years).
• For each installation, photo, date of installation, description, specify the size (KW) and capacity (kWh)
• O & M contracts with details of the site and O&M operations dating back at least 18 months
iii. TECHNICAL STAFF CAPACITY:
• State the total number of technical staff dedicated to solar project development and potentially being considered for mini-grid development and operations- (specifying technical, social, legal, administrative or financial qualifications/ experience).
Important; All listed staff training participants and the partner entitles must commit to participants being able to fully attend the training. To ensure gender parity, we strongly encourage women to be part of your nomination to attend the training.
• Briefly describe the expertise and qualifications of the technical team (e.g. years of experience, relevant certifications, gender (10-30% female representation encouraged), specialized skills).
• List GIZ implemented courses and certifications undertaken by each personnel on the organization team
iv. AUTHORIZATION:
• Submit a legally valid power of attorney or board resolution explicitly authorizing the signatory of the forwarding letter to act on behalf of the company in all matters relating to collaboration with NESP
• Ensure the document includes a passport size photograph of the authorized person securely attached
v. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:
Include any other relevant information or documentation on installed or planned electricity generation projects that supports your application, such as:
• Details about the communities served by the mini-grids
• Operational data (e.g., uptime, customer satisfaction)
• Maintenance procedures
• Expansion plans
• Social and environmental impact assessments
• Industry affiliations or associations within the RE sector
4. SUBMISSION OF EXPRESSION OF INTERESTS
All submissions are to be covered with a forwarding letter on the company’s letterhead, duly signed by the head of the organization or any authorized representative. Interested applicants shall make their submission as hard copies i.e. one original, all hard copy submissions should be enclosed in a sealed large envelope. The envelope shall be marked at the top left corner with:
‘Expression of interest; training for solar mini-grid developers in Nigeria’
The envelope should be addressed to:
Nigeria energy support programme (NESP)
No. 2 Dr. clement isong,
Asokoro, Abuja, F.C.T
The reverse side of all envelopes used must bear the applicant company’s name, address, and authorized contact person’s phone number(s) and email address (es) (all written out in capital letters).
Application documents should be arranged and numbered or paged in the order listed in section 3.0 the authorized representative of the firm should sign every page of the submission
Submission deadline for the call for expression of interest is by 4:00PM on Friday, 28th February 2025.
5. IMPORTANT NOTICES
i. All documents must be verifiable
ii. Only shortlisted applicants shall be contacted for the initial assessment
iii. Failure to provide any of the documents listed in section 3.0 (I-V) above where applicable, shall lead to automatic disqualification
iv. Documents should be arranged and numbered or paged in the order they are listed in, and the authorized representative of the company should sign every page of the submission
v. Submission of fake documents may lead to prosecution as all documents submitted shall be referred to the issuing authorities or security agencies for verification
6. DISCLAIMER AND CONSENT
i. This advertisement is published for information purposes only and does not constitute an offer, commitment, or obligation by NESP or FMP to transact with any party, nor entitle any applicant to make any claims whatsoever/or seek any indemnity from NESP or FMP
ii. NESP or FMP shall not be responsible for any costs or expenses incurred by any interested party in connection with the preparation of document or submissions made in response to any inquiry or clarification arising from this exercise
iii. NESP pledges fair and equal treatment of all applicants but is not bound to shortlist any applicant and reserves the right to annual this processes at any time without incurring liabilities to itself or under obligation to explain to any applicant the reasons for the cancellation
iv. By submitting the data as applicable under this publication, the applicant consents to the usage and processing of such data by NESP and its partners for the purpose of this publication and matters relating thereto
7. INQUIRIES AND INFORMATION
For further information or inquiries, p[lease send an email to:
The Nigerian Energy Support Programme (NESP) at nesp@giz.de with the subject heading as “ENQUIRIES: TRAINING FOR SOLAR MINI-GRID DEVELOPERS IN NIGERIA”
COMPANY INFORMATION TEMPLATE
Note; expand, as applicable
Company name:
Year of incorporation:
1. GENERAL INFORMATION
• Address of organization:
• Organization’s email address
• Contact person
• Contact person phone number
• Contact person Email
2. COMPANY INFORMATION
• Company registration number
• Organizational chart
• Total number of male staff
• Total number of female staff
• Total number of technical staff
| STAFF DATA | ||||||
| S/N | Name | Gender | Role | Highest educational qualification | Expertise | GIZ implemented courses(s) undertaken by personnel’s |
3. INFORMATION ON ELECTRICITY GENERATION INSTALLATION(S)
Please provide a description of each installation:
• Type of electricity generation infrastructure (solar, mesh grids, mini grids, EV integration, etc.);
• Description
• State
• Location
• Geotag
• Photo
• Size of project
• Capacity of project
• Years of launch
4. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
• Details about the communities served by the mini grids
• Operational data (e.g., uptime, customer satisfaction)
• Maintenance procedures
• Expansion plans
• Social and environmental impact assessments
5. AUTHORIZATION
• Name of authorized person
• Passport size photograph
I,…………………………….. attest that all the information provided, and documents attcahed herein are true and genuine.
Signature and date