Mauritius Seeks Dam Design Experts for Three Dam Construction Projects

Construction was completed in 2013 on the 350-kW Midland hydropower project at Midlands Dam. Mauritius has another nine hydropower projects totaling 55.8-MW, Cascade Cecile, Champagne, Ferney, La Ferme, La Nicoliere, Le Val, Magenta, Reduit and Tamarind Falls. The island nation has committed to increase its share of renewable energy to 35 percent by 2025 and recruited consultants in 2009 to study renewable energy technologies including ocean energy projects.

In the current solicitation, the Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities invites expressions of interest from consultants to serve on a panel of experts on an "as and when required basis" for 24 months beginning in mid-2015. It seeks a dam design and construction expert, engineering geology/geotechnical expert, hydrologist, and environmental and social safeguard expert.

The panel is to advise the ministry on:

• proposed Riviere des Anguilles Dam including review of an existing feasibility study; terms of reference of a design consultancy; inception, geotechnical and hydrological reports on dam design; and pre-qualification and bidding documents prepared by a consultant;
• raising and rehabilitating La Ferme Dam including review of an existing feasibility study, design reports, and pre-qualification and bidding documents;
• Bagatelle Dam, under construction, including provision of technical advisory services during construction and advice on claims submitted by the contractor.

The ministry expects to seek bids from a short-list of experts.

Expressions of interest are due by 2 p.m., Mauritius time, March 5 to the address below, labeled "Expert Services for Technical Assistance and Capacity Development for Dam Development." For information, contact Senior Chief Executive, Ministry of Energy and Public Utilities, 10th Floor, Air Mauritius Centre, John Kennedy St., Port Louis, Mauritius; (230) 210-0896; Fax: (230) 208-6497; E-mail: mpu@govmu.org.