ISA opens global bids for solar cold storage in Africa

India’s NTPC, on behalf of the ISA, has started accepting bids from ISA member countries to execute solar-based cold storage projects in the African countries of Senegal, Djibouti, Sudan, and Seychelles.

The prospective contractor will supply, install and commission 5 metric tons (MT) of solar cold storage capacity in Senegal, as well as 5 MT in Sudan and 5 MT in Seychelles. The ISA and NTPC are also planning two 2 MT systems in Djibouti. The ISA has engaged NTPC as an implementation partner and project management consultant, as it plans to deploy solar demonstration projects in member countries. ISA will finance the projects.

To be eligible, the bidders should have a track record of supplying, installing and commissioning 25 MT of cumulative solar cold storage. At least 10 MT of that capacity should be in successful operation for a period of at least a year from the date of commissioning, prior to the techno-commercial bid opening date.

According to the tender document, the cold storage equipment must have a minimum storage capacity of 2 MT. It should also be able to store 2,000 kgs of potatoes or farm produce equivalent, in terms of the specific heat and respiration rate.

The system will have a battery of adequate capacity for operating system auxiliaries during non-sun hours. The battery capacity should also be able to energize a 100 W load for up to 10 hours (during non-sun periods) to connect electrical devices such as lamps. The total solar PV array capacity should be adequate to run refrigeration systems, fully charge thermal energy storage systems, and fully charge the batteries. It should not be less than 3.0 kWp in size.