Illustrative example

Run-of-river hydro sites, prepared for private tender

A government client wanted private developers to build three small hydro plants, but its site studies were out of date and developers did not trust them. We rebuilt the data, standardised the contracts and drew nine qualified bidders.

Client
Government client
Country
Rwanda
Practice
Energy and power
Year
2024

Where it started

The challenge

The sites had been studied a decade earlier, before changes in rainfall and in the grid. Developers did not trust the old flow data, and none would price a bid on it.

Each site also came with its own draft contracts, which meant three negotiations instead of one and a long, uncertain road to award.

What we did

Our approach

  • Update the site studiesWe commissioned new hydrology and grid connection studies and published them, with the raw data, in a single data room open to every bidder.
  • Standardise the documentsWe drafted one power purchase agreement and one implementation agreement for all three sites, agreed with the utility before the tender opened.
  • Market the tenderWe ran investor briefings and site visits for developers in the region and abroad, and answered clarification questions in a single published log.

Where it ended

The outcome

Nine developers qualified, and all three sites received compliant bids, with tariffs below the government’s own estimate. The first site was awarded within the year.

  • 3sites tendered
  • 24 MWcombined capacity
  • 9qualified developers

For once the data room answered our questions before we asked them.

Managing director, shortlisted developer
Mandate leadKwame AsanteDirector, Energy and power, Accra
Contact Kwame

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