The Gambia seeks consultants to update resettlement plan for regional Solar Park

The National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC) of The Gambia has issued a tender for consultancy firms to update the Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) for the Regional Solar Park in The Gambia (RSPG). The initiative is part of the World Bank-supported RSPG project, which includes plans for solar power generation and battery energy storage systems (BESS) awarded through competitive bidding.

The first phase of the project involves the development of a 50 MW solar power plant and an 18 MWh BESS. Although the initial RAP was approved in March 2023, it has not yet been implemented. The selected consultancy firm will review, revise, and update the RAP to ensure that the sites for the first phase are ready for handover to independent power producers chosen through an upcoming auction.

Firms applying for the tender are required to have at least 10 years of relevant experience. The consultancy work will include an eight-week period to update the RAP and a subsequent six-month implementation phase. Expressions of interest must be submitted by January 31, 2025.

The Gambia, which had only 2 MW of installed solar capacity at the end of 2023, has made strides toward renewable energy adoption. In March 2024, the country inaugurated its first utility-scale solar plant, a 23 MW facility located near the west coast. This project is expected to significantly contribute to The Gambia’s renewable energy targets and reduce reliance on fossil fuels.

The RSPG project represents a critical step in advancing The Gambia’s clean energy goals, combining solar power and battery storage to support grid reliability while addressing resettlement and social considerations through an updated and effective RAP.