1 Background of ZECDP
NRECA International is a rural development organization with the mission to increase access to reliable electric services in developing countries. Since 1962, NRECA’s programs have focused on improving and expanding electric infrastructure, establishing self-sustaining and well-managed electric utilities, and providing technical assistance to national electrification planners. NRECA is currently working on three continents to provide expertise in the establishment and support of electric cooperatives; renewable energy on-grid and off-grid utility design and start-up; geospatial platforms for electrification investment planning; universal electrification access strategy planning; utility benchmarking and service improvements; construction supervision; smart grid planning and implementation; and engineering design and analysis.

In October 2021, Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP), funded by USAID, was launched to increase access to electricity in rural areas through the development of sustainable electric cooperative enterprises. ZECDP is designed to demonstrate that the community-owned electric cooperative business model can play an important role in the expansion of electricity service to rural communities.

A collaboration between REA and NRECA, as the implementing partners of ZECDP, was formalized in a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) dated August 2022. Under the MOU, REA and NRECA have agreed to jointly undertake projects, capacity building, and training activities to develop and strengthen electric cooperatives in line with the objectives of ZECDP, through September 2026.

Project Overview
Situated approximately 1,100 km from Lusaka, Ntatumbila community is in Nakonde District, Muchinga Province. The community has a population of around 6,000 residents, most of whom are engaged in farming and livestock rearing as their primary economic activities.

As part of the Zambia Electric Cooperative Development Program (ZECDP), NRECA International, in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Authority of Zambia (REA), is spearheading the development of a 121-kWp PV solar mini-grid project in Ntatumbila to be owned and operated by the Ntatumbila Power Electrical Cooperative (NPEC). This transformative initiative aims to provide reliable electricity to approximately 300 residential and commercial consumers. Among the beneficiaries are 30 local commercial establishments, a primary and a secondary school, a clinic and six milling facilities, which are vital in the area’s agricultural supply chain. The project is expected to significantly bolster economic activity and improve the quality of life for residents and member-owners of the cooperative.

The solar mini grid that will eventually serve the community of Ntatumbila is presently under construction. The project involves the design and construction of additional facilities and infrastructure within the mini-grid power plant that will facilitate utility operations and staff comfort. These tasks include:

• Construction of the cooperative’s administration building
• Installation of a concrete culvert along the roadside
• Drilling of a borehole with electric pump for on-site
  water supply
• Construction of an on-site latrine
• Construction of an on-site guard structure
• Interior fencing for restricting public access to the power plant
• Establishing interior access roads

All work will be performed at the co-op’s power plant in Ntatumbila, Muchinga Province.

Interested applicants write to brandon.simons@nreca-intl.org or NRECA.Lusaka@nreca-intl.org to request for detailed Terms of Reference Document

Deadline for Submission of bids is 27th September 2024