INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT COMPANY LIMITED

REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS (RFP)

FOR SELECTION OF SPONSOR(s) TO DEVELOP SOLAR PV MODULE MANUFACTURING / ASSEMBLING PLANT(s) IN BANGLADESH

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Infrastructure Development Company Limited (IDCOL) intends to promote potential sponsor(s) to set up solar PV module manufacturing / assembling facilities in Bangladesh with the objective of lowering price and ensuring uninterrupted supply of solar modules. IDCOL intends to provide support for both thin film and crystalline technology upto 50 MW of total installed capacity in Bangladesh with a minimum plant capacity of 5 MW each. IDCOL has already financed 350,000 solar home systems (SHS) in the rural areas of Bangladesh and has the target of financing 1,000,000 SHS by 2012. Currently, about 15,000 systems are being installed each month under IDCOLs solar program. IDCOL also plans to promote grid connected solar plants, solar irrigation systems, solar powered base transceiver stations in telecom sector etc. Eligibility Criteria: Interested sponsors: should have prior experience in solar business, preferably in Bangladesh, either as importer, solar equipment supplier, solar accessories manufacturer, partner of IDCOL/REB/other solar programs etc. should have own solar cell manufacturing facility and/or long term purchase contract(s) with solar cell manufactures; must be able to source necessary equipment for the assembling / manufacturing plant and engage qualified staff; must be able to secure necessary certifications from International Electrotechnical Committee (IECEE), PVGAP etc; should demonstrate capability to export the portion of the production capacity that is not absorbed by the local market; must be able to provide minimum 20% of total project cost as equity; in case of joint venture with foreign sponsors, local counterparts should have minimum 51% of shares. A special purpose vehicle (SPV) is required to be formed by the selected sponsor(s) to which IDCOL will provide concessionary loan (maximum tenure 7 year with 1 year grace) at 9% annual interest rate upto 80% of the project cost. The SPV may also be eligible for existing government incentives. Sponsor will be selected using the following scoring method. Minimum pass mark would be 70%. Weightage (%) Technical & Commercial Aspects 75% Prior experience in solar business 10 Technology, equipment and supply contract 20 Raw materials sourcing arrangements 15 Plant operation and maintenance arrangements 10 Arrangements for securing necessary certifications 5 Plant capacity utilization plan 5 Robustness of marketing plan 5 Project implementation plan with firm timeline 5 Financial Parameters 25% Project capital cost and cost of production 15 Financial strength of sponsors 10 Proposals along with soft copy of financial model and other documentary evidences to support the above criteria should be sent to Infrastructure Development Company Limited, UTC Building (16th Floor), 8 Panthapath, Kawranbazar, Dhaka 1215 not later than 29 October 2009. IDCOL reserves the right to accept or reject any proposal without assigning any reason. For any clarification, please contact Mr. Nazmul Haque, Director and head of Investment, IDCOL.

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Tel: 9114385, 8111235, 8117526; Fax: +880-2-8116663 E-mail: nhaque@idcol.org www.idcol.org