Bahrain's Electricity and Water Authority (EWA) has announced the relaunching of an international tender for the development of Bilaj Al Jazayer Independent Power Project (BAJ Solar IPP) with a planned capacity of up to 100 MWac.

A utility-scale photovoltaic (PV) facility, it will be implemented through a strategic partnership with the private sector under a Build-Own-Operate (BOO) system. The key solar farm is due for commercial operations on December 31, 2028.

In its tender notification on Bahrain Tenders site, EWA said the plant will deploy proven PV technology modules supported by utility-grade inverters suitable for local conditions. The scope includes generation facilities and associated infrastructure such as access and internal roads. The project supports Bahrain’s national target of achieving 20% renewable energy by 2035.

According to EWA, the selected bidder will be responsible for the full lifecycle of the project for 25 years with the project scope, including development, financing, construction, operation, maintenance, decommissioning and site restoration.

The BAJ Solar IPP will be procured through a single-stage RFP process. All Bids will first undergo an Initial Capability Assessment against Minimum Eligibility Requirements (MERs) covering financial capacity, experience in securing limited-recourse financing, and track record in developing large-scale solar PV projects. 

Only bidders that satisfy the MERs will proceed to detailed technical and financial evaluation in line with the criteria set out in the RFP, it stated.

The deadline for submitting the bids has been set at December 20, it added.-TradeArabia News Service