TelOne Opens Bidding for Hybrid Solar Plant Projec...

TelOne Opens Bidding for Hybrid Solar Plant Projects

Zim Now Reporter

TelOne has announced a competitive domestic bidding process for the financing, supply, installation, and commissioning of hybrid solar plants at its network hubs, telecom facilities, and switching centers.

The tender, identified as CBTD 34-25, will close on March 6, 2025. This is a vendor-financing arrangement, which means tenderers must be able to fund, install, and commission the solar plants without upfront payments.

Telone will pay after commissioning, with repayment structured in six monthly installments per site.

The company has specified that the solar projects will be implemented at four locations: Chitungwiza, Hatfield, Glenview, and the TelOne Centre for Learning. Bidders are required to meet strict technical specifications for the proposed systems.

The solar projects will utilize monocrystalline PV modules with a minimum power output of 620 Wp and an efficiency of at least 22%. The modules must incorporate multi-busbar cell technology and include anti-theft mechanisms.

The total system capacity will be 40 kWp for Chitungwiza, Hatfield, and Glenview, and 20 kWp for the TelOne Centre for Learning. All modules must come with a 25-year linear power warranty.

For energy storage, TelOne has mandated the use of lithium-ion batteries capable of 4,500 cycles at 90% depth of discharge, operating at 48 V. The required battery capacity is 96 kWh for Chitungwiza, Hatfield, and Glenview, and 48 kWh for the TelOne Centre for Learning.

The batteries must support parallel scalability, feature LED charge indicators, and be housed in lockable cabinets with a 10-year warranty.

The hybrid systems must include three-phase pure sine wave Sunsynk inverters with an IP65 rating. The inverters must deliver 40 kW UPS-rated power for Chitungwiza, Hatfield, and Glenview, and 20 kW for the TelOne Centre for Learning.

They must integrate with the battery management system and include lightning, surge, and grounding protection.

Mounting structures must be made of aluminum and include anti-theft components. Ground-mounted systems will be installed at Chitungwiza and Glenview, while Hatfield and the TelOne Centre for Learning will use roof-mounted systems.

Bidders must provide datasheets for all components, a minimum 12-month warranty, and ensure integration with Sunsynk’s remote monitoring platform.

Bidders are required to submit completed proposals, including technical brochures, tax clearance certificates, and legal documentation. The technical evaluation will assess compliance with the outlined specifications, and the most economically advantageous offer will be selected.

A non-compulsory pre-bid meeting will be held at TelOne Hatfield Exchange in Harare on March 4, 2025. Clarification requests will be accepted until March 5. Sealed envelope submissions must be delivered to the Procurement Executive at Runhare House in Harare. The bid opening will be accessible via Google Meet.

According to the International Renewable Energy Agencya, Zimbabwe’s cumulative installed PV capacity reached 17 MW by the end of 2023. This tender represents a significant step in the country’s renewable energy development efforts.