MINISTÉRIO DO AMBIENTE E AÇÃO CLIMÁTICA
Unidade de Gestão do Projeto Promover um Melhor Acesso a Serviços de Energia Moderna por Meio de Mini-Redes Sustentáveis e Tecnologias de Bioenergia de Baixo Carbono Entre as Comunidades Dependentes das Florestas na Guiné-Bissau
1. Context
The Government of Guinea-Bissau, through the Ministry of Environment and Climate Action, with funding from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), is implementing the project “Promoting Improved Access to Modern Energy Services through Sustainable Mini-Grids and Low-Carbon Bioenergy Technologies among Forest-Dependent Communities in Guinea-Bissau.”
This project aims to expand access to sustainable energy in rural areas through the development of solar photovoltaic mini-grids.
As part of this initiative, technical, economic, environmental, and social feasibility studies are planned for the implementation of solar mini-grids in seven rural localities in Guinea-Bissau.
The Ministry of Environment and Climate Action intends to mobilize the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and other developers to invest in, build, operate, and maintain mini-grids in rural areas.
2. Objective of the Call for Expressions of Interest
The purpose of this Call for Expressions of Interest is to:
- Identify national and international companies, NGOs, and other entities interested in the development of mini-grids in rural areas of Guinea-Bissau;
- Assess the interest and the technical, financial, and operational capacity of potential investors/developers; and provide tailored, targeted capacity-building training for interested developers and private sector actors across the minigrid value chain.
- Create a database of qualified partners for future phases of the project;
- Prepare for the launch of competitive tenders for the implementation of the mini-grids.
3. Project Scope
Interested parties should express their interest in:
- Developing, financing (fully or partially), constructing, operating, and maintaining solar mini-grids;
- Operating in rural areas previously identified by the studies;
- Ensuring sustainable and inclusive business models.
4. Intervention Modalities
Proponents may submit proposals considering different models, including:
- Build-Own-Operate (BOO) model;
- Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) model;
- Public-Private Partnerships (PPP);
- Other innovative financing and operational models.
5. Elegibility
Private companies, both national and international, consortia formed by multiple companies, non-governmental organizations, financial institutions and investors, as well as energy project developers may participate in this process, provided they meet the criteria established in this call for proposals.
6. Evaluation Criteria
Expressions of interest will be assessed based on the following criteria:
6.1 Technical Capacity
- Proven experience in mini-grid or rural electrification projects;
- Knowledge of renewable energy technologies.
6.2 Financial Capacity
- Financial soundness;
- Experience in mobilizing financing;
- Investment capacity.
6.3 Operational Experience
- Experience in operating and maintaining energy systems;
- Experience in similar contexts (Africa or rural areas).
6.4 Conceptual Proposal
- Preliminary technical approach;
- Business model;
- Strategy for sustainability and social inclusion.
7. Contents of the Expression of Interest
Interested parties should submit:
- Letter of Expression of Interest;
- Institutional profile of the entity;
- Relevant experience;
- Technical and financial capacity;
- Preliminary conceptual proposal;
- Proposed implementation model;
- Legal documents of the entity.
8. Government Support
Through the project, the Government commits to:
- Providing the feasibility studies;
- Facilitating access to communities and local authorities;
- Supporting the creation of a favorable regulatory environment;
- Assessing potential incentive mechanisms (subsidies, guarantees, etc.).
9. Selection Process
The process will follow these steps:
- Launch of the Call for Expressions of Interest (CEI);
- Receipt of expressions of interest;
- Technical and institutional evaluation;
- Pre-qualification of candidates;
- Launch of specific tenders for implementation.
10. Confidentiality
All submitted information will be treated confidentially and used exclusively for evaluation purposes within the scope of this project.
11. Submission Deadline
Expressions of interest must be submitted by June 13, 2026, to the following email address: mabacugpminiredes@gmail.com, or delivered in properly sealed envelopes to the National Environment Institute (INA), located at the Government Palace.
O Coordenador Nacional do Projeto
________________________________________
Divaldino Mendes
Visto:
_______________________________
Augusto Idrissa Embaló
Ministro do Ambiente e Ação Climática
