Call for Proposals (Round 1)

National Scheme for Emerging/Innovative Renewable Energy Technologies

(MARENA-MRC-CEB)

A first Call of Proposal was launched on June 2019 and closed on August 2019. Six proposals were received by the deadline. Following an evaluation of the innovativeness and the technical soundness of the proposals received, two projects were selected, namely Tesla Cascading Hydro Plant by Lumitech Ltd-True Tesla Technologies Ltd and Skysails Power for Base Load Wind Energy by IBL Energy Ltd, both for an allocated capacity of 100 kW each. The promoters thereafter signed connection agreements for pilot projects with the CEB in 2020.

With a view to fostering Research & Development (R&D) and stimulating industrial innovation in the field of Renewable Energy (RE), the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA), operating under the aegis of the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities (MEPU), in collaboration with Mauritius Research Council (MRC) and the Central Electricity Board (CEB), is inviting Promoters/Developers to submit proposals under the “National Scheme Emerging/Innovative Renewable Energy Technologies”.

Scheme Details

The Scheme aims to explore emerging/innovative RE Technologies under a pilot phase basis for small unit sizes not exceeding 200 kW in capacity, and which may be replicable and scalable. The CEB targets to connect an aggregated capacity of 2 MW under this scheme.

The term “Emerging and Innovative” shall be interpreted as technologies which are still at developmental stage and are not being used commercially at local or international levels.

The term “Innovation” shall be interpreted as either radical or incremental changes to products, including the implementation of a new or significantly improved products.

The proposals will be initially screened by MARENA and MRC while the CEB will be responsible to assess the technical feasibility of each proposal. Should the project be found to be technically sound, the selected Project Developer will be required to set up a demonstration kit to illustrate the working principle of the emerging/innovative Renewable Energy technology.

The Project Developer shall thereafter execute a Connection Agreement with CEB, which shall bind the former to the setting-up of a pilot within one year. Thereon and for a minimum period of one year, the Project Developer shall allow the CEB to conduct all required testing and monitoring on the innovative system proposed.

Remuneration for Test Energy

The electricity exported to the grid from these pilot plant(s) will be in the form of ‘Test Energy’. The CEB shall purchase this energy at a flat rate tariff provided that the power output complies with the applicable SSDG/MSDG Grid Code (refer to CEB website).

Applicable Permits

Within six months from the signature of the Connection Agreement, the Developer must obtain all necessary clearances, permits and licenses (including Environment Impact Assessment- EIA) from relevant Authorities.

Way Forward

The Developer has to guarantee a quota of energy over the one-year testing period in the Connection Agreement. In the event that the performance of the pilot plant satisfies this minimum Guaranteed Performance, same may be considered for up-scaling further to negotiation on an Energy Supply Purchase Agreement (ESPA) with CEB.

Confidentiality

The MARENA, CEB and MRC recognize that the Proposal contains confidential and proprietary information that is the intellectual property of the Developer, which is provided for the sole purpose of participating for this call for proposal. It is agreed to maintain such information in confidence and not to copy nor disclose this information to any third party not directly responsible for responding to its contents. The contents of the Proposal shall not be used for any purpose other than for this present scheme.

Application Process

Proposals in English version, addressed to the Chief Executive Officer, Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency should be either deposited in the Tender Box located at Level 4, Sir Célicourt Antelme Street, The Celicourt Building, Port Louis 11302, Republic of Mauritius, or sent by registered post or Courier Service to reach on or before Wednesday 28 August 2019 up to 13.30 hours (Mauritian time) at latest.

Proposal received after this deadline will not be considered.

Developers shall have to submit both a hard copy and soft copy (in DVD or USB) of the proposal.

The name of the scheme ("National Scheme for Emerging/Innovative Renewable Energy Technologies") applied for should be clearly marked on the top left hand corner of the envelope.

Clarifications on Call for Proposals

Applicants requiring any clarification on the Call for Proposal may notify the MARENA in writing at the address indicated hereunder:

The Chief Executive Officer

Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency

Level 4, Sir Célicourt Antelme Street

The Celicourt Building, Port Louis 11302,

Mauritius

E-mail address: info [at] marena [dot] org (include the word 'NSEIRET' in the subject title)

The MARENA will respond to any request for clarification which it receives at latest fourteen (14) days prior to the deadline for submission of proposals. Request for clarification received after the delay stated shall not be entertained.

The replies for clarification will be posted on the MARENA website: click here.

Contents of Proposal

The Developer shall prepare its proposal as per the following application template: click to download (v1.1)

The above list is not exhaustive and Developers may submit any additional information which they feel will be of importance in assessment of their proposal.

Incomplete proposals not meeting the above basic requirements will not be considered.

Assessment Criteria

In the merit based review process, consideration will be given to each of the following criteria:

a) Compliance to requirements i.e. technologies must be mandatorily related to generating energy from renewable resources;

b) The uniqueness/ingenuity of the proposed concept or application as an innovative and sustainable concept;

c) The technical soundness of the proposed technology to meet the innovation objectives set in the proposal. The plan must specifically address the amount and type of work to be performed both by the Developer and by the collaborating entities (excluding CEB, MARENA and MRC) and describe the necessary cooperation and coordination;

d) The potential of the proposed concept for significant commercial application and socio-economic benefit; the likelihood of the project to attract funds from the private sector and/or international partners;

e) Qualification and experience of the Project Leader, the Innovation Partner(s) and other team members in relation to the proposed research and innovation;

f) Evidence of availability of funds from private sector and international agencies;

g) Particular value-added elements; and

h) Capacity to collaborate.

Pre-selected Project Developers may be invited to make a presentation on the proposed innovative technology to a panel set-up by MARENA at a given date and time, in Mauritius, with a view to having a better understanding of the operation of same.

NOTE:

1. The MARENA reserves the right not to make any award or to accept or reject any application following this call for proposal.

2. All costs associated with the preparation of the application will be borne by the applicant.

3. The Applicants are encouraged to submit any other additional information they deem necessary for strengthening their application.

4. No funding will be made available from MARENA, MRC and CEB to implement the pilot phase under this scheme.

5. MARENA, CEB and MRC shall not be part of the collaborating parties under this scheme.