Consultancy services sought for Fierza rehabilitation, Albania

Korporata Elektroenergjitike Shqiptare (KESH), Albania’s state power utility, invites prequalification applications by 8 February from eligible consultants to assist with reconstruction and replacement works at the Fierza hydropower plant on the Drin river, in the northern part of the country. The 500 MW Fierza hydropower dam is the uppermost in a cascade of three large storage plants on the Drin, with a combined capacity of 1350 MW. Based on its position and the volume of the reservoir, Fierza plays a key role in the exploitation, regulation and safe operation of the Drin cascade.

The proposed project includes the replacement of two turbine runners, four old generators and all electromechanical peripheral supporting equipment at the plant, which was commissioned in 1981.  The works is expected to begin shortly, for completion in 2026.

Rehabilitation works that were completed in 2004-2006 involved the replacement of two runners and auxiliary systems, but did not include the replacement of the plant’s four generators and the other two runners. Inspections have shown them to be in a critical state. In addition to addressing production capacity loss and ensuring continued reliable operation, further economic and technical gains can be expected from the higher efficiencies of the replaced equipment.

The consulting services, which are to be financed from a loan provided by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) and from grant contributions of the EU, will comprise:

-preparation of tender documents, including a re-assessment of the scope of necessary electro-mechanical works;

-assistance and support to KESH during tendering for the selection of the supplier, assistance with bid assessment and evaluation as well as with contracting of works for electrical and mechanical equipment and the corresponding civil works tied to the rehabilitation works at Fierza plant (one contract for entire works, FIDIC yellow book approach); and,

-support to KESH during implementation of the project, including expert assistance for fulfilling reporting duties (such as on project progress) to KfW.

The consultancy services will be carried out in close consultation with KESH and KfW.

The selection process will be based on the latest version of the ‘Guidelines for the Procurement of Consulting Services, Works, Plant, Goods and Non-Consulting Services in Financial Cooperation with Partner Countries’(available on the homepage of KfW). It is planned to assign the services to an international consulting firm and/or joint venture experienced in the hydropower sector and the region with minimum annual revenue of €1 million.

The consultant will be encouraged to collaborate with local consulting firms and/or individual consultants, as well as specialized experts if deemed necessary, to reinforce the needed local, institutional, educational and technical competence. Consultants that are interested in participating in the pre-qualification procedure should announce their interest with their given addresses.

Detailed Invitations for Expression of Interest for consultants are available from:

Fatos Bundo

Head of Project Management Unit

KESH

Email: BundoF@kesh.al

Copy to: Tender Agent, Volker Spork

Email: volker.spork@t-online.de.