ITAIPU extends deadline for submission of bids on future floating solar plant

The following is a machine translation of an Itaipu Binational release

In order to allow for greater participation by consortium companies from Paraguay and Brazil, respectively, ITAIPU Binacional announced a new date for the submission of bids in the binational bidding process called for the provision, installation and commissioning of a 1,000 kilowatt (kW) floating solar system.

According to the information provided on the suppliers' portal, the public session for the presentation of the envelopes of the commercial offer and the documentation for the authorization of companies was scheduled for Wednesday, October 16, from 08:30 to 08:45, in the Auditorium of the Financial Directorate located in the Hydroelectric Power Plant, Hernandarias (Right Bank).

Those interested in participating in this tender and attending the public session must appear at the ITAIPU Visitor Reception Center at 08:00. The deadline for mandatory technical visits by companies has also been extended and can be made until October 2, from Monday to Friday, from 07:00 to 10:30 and from 13:30 to 16:00.

According to the Renewable Energy Consultancy, the representatives of the companies that carry out the visits verify the site area to understand the physical area, the storage areas and the existing infrastructure in order to optimize logistics, as well as the on-site visualization of the planned location for the panels, in order to have the necessary information for the correct execution of the works.

Production and transmission

Regarding the annual generation of the pilot plant, the Renewable Energy Advisory Board mentioned that production is estimated to be approximately between 1,800 and 2,000 MWh of energy per year, which would be for internal use by the Entity.

The call for binational tenders includes the provision of equipment, installation, start-up and technical assistance. Binational consortia made up of Brazilian and Paraguayan companies may participate in the tender.

According to the superintendents of the Renewable Energy Advisory Boards on both banks, the extension of the deadline is necessary taking into account the significant participation of future binational consortia of Paraguayan and Brazilian companies, which after the technical visits make multiple inquiries, considering the complexity of the project that involves new technologies.

They also highlighted the importance of the pilot project due to its unique characteristics and its implementation within a framework of binational cooperation, which contributes to the development and consolidation of both markets (Paraguay and Brazil) in floating solar technology.

Companies interested in participating in the tender must group together as a binational consortium, made up of companies from Brazil and Paraguay. They must also meet the qualification requirements and other requirements established for each country.

The installation period for the panels, from the signing of the work order, will be 150 calendar days, including the delivery of the engineering project, electrical equipment, control and instrumentation system, mechanical structure, civil and structural works, construction, assembly of the floating solar plant and start-up. Another 180 days will be added for technical assistance, training and final acceptance of the product, totaling 330 days for the execution of the project.