MST for Interconnected Mini-grids RFP

MST for Interconnected Mini-grids RFP

Please consult the Odyssey Platform Help Guides as well as the FAQs to troubleshoot any issues, or reach out to the Odyssey support team via the support chat box in the bottom right corner of the application.

1. Review program information

  1. Select the Finance > Programs tab from the left navigation bar
  2. Select MST for Interconnected Mini-grids (RFP)  from the programs list

  1. Click the Resources section
  2. View and download the program documents
    1. Select the documents or folders you would like to download
    2. Click the Download button
    3. Read all program documents thoroughly to ensure that you understand all the requirements before submitting your application.
  3. You can also communicate with the Program Administrator (REA) via the Messages section.

2. Submit Letter of Intent (LOI)

All applicants must complete and submit the Letter of Intent to access the portfolios and proceed with their proposal.
  1. Navigate to the Application tab
  2. Complete all required fields in the LOI form section
  3. Submit your completed LOI for review

After Submission

  1. Once your LOI is approved, the status of the application will change from “Submitted” to “Selected” in your Programs list.
  2. You will receive a confirmation email with next steps
  3. You can also communicate with the Program Administrator via the Messages section.
    1. To do this Navigate to Finance > Programs > MST for Interconnected Mini-grids (RFP) > Messages.

3. Copy Tendered Portfolio

  1. Navigate to the Tendered Portfolio section
  2. Select the Lot(s) you would like to copy to your own Projects workspace
  3. Click the Copy  Selected Portfolios button. This will start the process of copying the selected projects into your own Projects list where you'll be able to view additional information and complete your proposal.

  1. View the copied projects in the Claims module. The projects will have the title of the program (MST for Interconnected Mini-grids) after the project name.

  1. Navigate into any of the project sites that belong to the program to complete the required data modules.

Info
DARES  MST Requirement:
Proposers may submit Proposals for up to three lots but will only be eligible to be awarded a maximum of two lots. Proposers will be required to rank all lots for which Proposals are submitted in order of preference.

DARES Program Lots


4. Review project information

Access and validate all pre-loaded site data. No financial inputs are required on Odyssey – use the provided Financial Model template (can be found in the Resource Section) for financial modeling.

  1. Overview

  1. Navigate to the Project Design section to review:
  1. Site information
  2. Load profiles
  3. Suggested generation designs

  1. Information

  1. The Information module of the project contains the site information that was provided when creating the project. 

  1. Load

  1. In the Load module, you have been provided information on the number and type of customers as well as the projected load profile.
  2. Learn more about creating a load assessment.
Downloading the Load Profile 
To use the provided load profile in external tools:
  1. Navigate to the Time Series section within the Load module.
  2. Click Download Time Series to export the hourly (8760) load data in CSV format.
  3. Use this file to model your system in third-party software.

DARES  MST Requirement:
  1. Proposers may propose load profiles and planned number of connections that are different from the information provided by the REA. The Proposer will be required to explain in its Technical Proposal any such deviations from the REA’s estimated load profile and number of connections. Acceptance of any such explanations is at the discretion of the REA. If the explanation is deemed unacceptable or insufficient, the Proposal will be considered non-responsive.
  2. The Proposer shall size the system to supply a minimum of 20 hours of supply, accounting for the Grid Availability specified on Odyssey i.e., the Proposer can include the grid as one of the system components in their energy simulation. Proposers are required to use the hours of supply provided for each site on Odyssey in simulations. However, note that the final hours of supply will be decided between the selected Proposer and the DisCo.

  1. Generation Design

  1. The platform displays suggested system configurations. Proposers must conduct all energy simulations using external HOMER and PVSyst software.

Info
REA Requirement:
  1. If the size of any system component (e.g., solar panels, inverters, batteries) varies by more than ±10% from the suggested system configuration in the Employer’s Requirements, you must:
    1. Provide a justification for the deviation.
    2. Include supporting documentation (e.g., HOMER Pro simulation results, load profile used for sizing).
  2. Acceptance of any such justifications is at the discretion of the REA. If the justification is deemed unacceptable or insufficient, the Proposal will be considered non-responsive. 
  3. Your HOMER results must demonstrate that your system will provide a minimum of 20 hours of supply to customers and that the electricity produced from diesel or natural gas generators is not greater than 25% of the total electricity to be supplied to customers annually (including supply from the DisCo). 

Distribution Design

Input capital expenditures related to the distribution network and customer connections. Learn more about inputting distribution design costs.


Info
REA Requirement:
Enter detailed line-item costs for all distribution upgrades, including:
  1. Equipment upgrades (e.g., transformers, switchgear)
  2. Refurbishments
  3. Replacements
  4. Network expansions
Note: Your entries here must match the itemized breakdown in your Distribution Network Upgrade Plan (Form 1.2). Lump sums are not permitted—provide granular costs per component.

Project Application

In the Project Application module, you will fill out the Form Tech - 1.1 with information specific to each project site in the lot.


5. Submit your Portfolio

Review your portfolio

  1. Navigate to the Finance > Portfolios section of your account
  2. A portfolio is a collection of qualitative questions and documentation uploads for a Lot. Complete the portfolios for the lots that you are bidding on. 

Complete your portfolio


  • Complete the Business Plan section of the portfolio. 

  • Upload the required documents in the portfolio Data Room. 

    • Drag and drop your files into the upload area, or click Browse to select files from your device.

    • Ensure you upload all required supporting documents in this section to successfully submit your application.
      Learn more about the portfolio Data Room.

Submit your portfolio

  • Navigate to the Portfolio Submission 

  • Click on Submit Proposal to submit to REA

  • Once you have submitted your proposal, the portfolio, and projects will be locked for editing. 



Notes
To unlock your proposal for editing before the submission deadline, click on Withdraw Proposal


    • Related Articles

    • DARES MST for Interconnected Mini-grids

      The Rural Electrification Agency of Nigeria (REA) in collaboration with Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs) in Nigeria has selected 40 sites following technical due diligence from a broader number of sites for tender in the first phase of the ...

    • DARES PBG for Interconnected Mini-Grids

      The DARES PBG for Interconnected Mini-Grids uses the DARES Platform powered by Odyssey exclusively for all tender-related activities. Submissions outside of the platform will not be accepted. Please read this guide thoroughly for instructions on how ...

    • Interconnected Mini-grid Acceleration Scheme Overview

      The Interconnected Mini-Grid Acceleration Scheme uses the Odyssey platform exclusively for all program-related activities. Submissions outside of the platform will not be accepted. The platform requires rigorous technical and financial analysis; it ...

    • DARES PBG for Isolated Mini-Grids

      The DARES PBG for Isolated Mini-Grid program uses the DARES Platform powered by Odyssey exclusively for all tender-related activities. Submissions outside of the platform will not be accepted. Please read this guide thoroughly for instructions on how ...

    • FAQ: What are my options for modeling an interconnected mini-grid in Odyssey?

      To model your interconnected mini-grid in Odyssey you have three options depending on your agreement with the DisCo region and desired plan:  Modeling a mini-grid that consumes from and optionally exports electricity to an unreliable grid Modeling an ...