Bosnian Serb power utility ERS has eased qualification requirements for the 60-MW Hrgud wind farm after an appeal against the procurement documentation. The changes are intended to widen the field of potential bidders for the project’s €95 million engineering, procurement, construction and financing contract. The utility also reduced both corporate-reference and staffing requirements as part of the revised tender conditions.
Revised bidder references and specialist experience
Under the updated rules, bidders must submit one reference covering the design and construction of comparable electricity infrastructure valued at at least €25 million, excluding VAT, within the past five years. The earlier documentation required four separate references linked to a wind farm of at least 30 MW, a high-voltage substation, mountain roads and a 110-kV transmission line. ERS also cut the required experience for nine technical specialists from five years to two and simplified provisions on professional licences and construction methodology.
Technical viability assessment removed from tender package
ERS removed a requirement for bidders to prepare their own technical and economic viability assessment showing at least 160 GWh of annual net generation. The utility is expected to publish revised bid deadlines through a further amendment to the procurement process. The tender remains structured under an EPC+F model.
EPC+F scope, project build-out and generation expectations
The EPC+F structure requires the successful contractor or consortium to arrange financing and deliver turbines, roads, substations and transmission infrastructure. The project is located in southern Bosnia and Herzegovina and would include 10 turbines. Construction is expected to take two years.
Hrgud’s measured wind speeds exceed eight metres per second, supporting expected annual generation of around 160 GWh. With qualification conditions eased, ERS expects competition to improve while placing greater responsibility on the utility to ensure bidders retain sufficient technical and financial capacity. ERS is set to issue further procurement amendments related to bidding timelines.
