Development of Solar PV Projects                            Invitation for Expressions of Interest

December 2024

1. Background
   • HM Government of Gibraltar, via the Department of the Environment, Sustainability, Climate Change and Heritage (the Authority) invites expressions of interest from suitably qualified and experienced Parties interested in the development of solar photovoltaic projects in Gibraltar, with the aim of delivering up to 70% of Gibraltar’s energy needs from renewables by 2045.
   • Gibraltar enjoys a Mediterranean climate, with a conservatively estimated solar PV capacity factor of 21%, around double that of Great Britain.

• Revenues generated from the project would benefit from strong support, offering investors attractive yields with limited risk. Power purchase agreements signed with the Government of Gibraltar assure visibility of long-term, regular cash flows.

• HMGOG guarantees distribution network access, reducing project lead-time, and removing a key deployment barrier.

• The government is seeking a phased roll out of largely rooftop PV systems under a power purchase agreement (PPA) with an experienced developer of such systems.  The capacity of each phase will be determined by the availability of buildings and sites for deployment, as well as the configuration of systems proposed by Parties.

• The Government owns a number of residential, commercial and amenity sites of a variety of types, age and size that are suitable for solar PV power plants and is prepared to make these available for the development of solar PV projects subject to assessment of their suitability.

• The Government is also considering the installation of solar canopies in suitable locations and is willing to consider other innovative solutions such as floating solar.

• The scope of works includes the generation of energy through the installation of solar PV as well as any associated services, supplies and/or works which include but are not limited to:

• Core design, delivery and operation:
• Design
• Installation
• Grid connection
• Commissioning
• Operation and maintenance
• Photovoltaic panels and other associated equipment for enabling installation and successful operation
• Works required to property to enable installation of equipment
• Monitoring and reporting of system performance, monitoring of real time energy generation and communication of the same to the Gibraltar Electricity Authority
• Billing services

• Associated works and services (including design) in relation to any of the above, including works and services necessary to enable any of the above.

• Financing of any element of the project including any costs associated with the project but not delivered by the Contractor (e.g. 3^rd party fees and/or services).

2. Minimum Criteria

• The Service Provider will be expected to represent and warrant to HMGoG that it has the necessary skill, expertise and experience, or is able to demonstrate that it is able to acquire the services of a competent and capable third party, acceptable to HMGoG, in order to properly and competently execute such a project(s) and run such a facility(s) proposed as part of this Expression of Interest.

• Interested parties should be able to demonstrate that they meet the following minimum criteria:

• Have proven experience in the design, build, installation and maintenance of similar systems, either in Gibraltar or elsewhere in the EU.
• Have more than 5 years of experience in the field of renewable energy development.
• Have ISO9001 certification, preferably also ISO14001 certification.
• Provide relevant certification to Gibraltar Electricity Authority to become approved PV installers.

3. Proposed sites

The sites identified by Government include, inter alia:

• City Hall
• Inces Hall
• The North Mole Power Station
• British Lines
• Europa point parking area

4. Instructions and submissions of responses
   • Interested parties should understand that submissions need to include concept details and preliminary financial models at this stage.
   • A process of consultation and negotiation will follow with parties that submit ideas or concepts that are of interest to HMGoG.

• Responses must be sent via e-mail to environment@gibraltar.gov.gi by no later than 12 noon on Friday 24^th January 2025.
• All supporting documentation must be in English. Where the original literature is in another language, a translation into English, of all of the text, shall be affixed to the original.

• HM Government of Gibraltar is not obliged to accept any of the submissions received.

• Respondents shall not be entitled to claim from HMGoG any costs or expenses that may be incurred in preparing their responses, whether successful or not.

• HMGoG accepts no liability for any information disclosed by anyone other than HMGoG.

• Queries arising from this or any other document provided by HMGoG should not be submitted later than 5 working days before the closing date shown at 4.3.

Important Notice: This EOI creates no legal rights or obligations and cannot be relied on for any such purpose.