TENDERING: Supply and installation of smart metering for Elektro-Bijeljina in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Power distribution company Elektro-Bijeljina, a subsidiary of state-owned power utility Elektroprivreda Republike Srpske (ERS), has launched tendering for the supply and installation of smart metering, according to an announcement on the EBRD Client e-Procurement Portal.

The contract will be funded by a EUR 7.5 million loan from the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).

The deadline to file bids is August 12, 2019, according to the announcement.

The contract is expected to start on August 31, 2019 and last about 36 months.

Elektro-Bijeljina signed a EUR 15 million loan agreement with the EBRD in September 2018 for the reconstruction of the medium and low-voltage power network in Elektro-Bijelijina’s distribution area and the installation of smart meters.

The loan to finance the smart grid project will cut distribution losses to the technical minimum of 6.5%, which is a standard in Western Europe, Head of the EBRD Office in Bosnia and Herzegovina Ian Brown was quoted as saying after signing the agreement with Elektro-Bijeljina General Manager Nedeljko Ćorić.

Project to reduce power losses

Losses in the distribution of power and high consumption due to outdated and inaccurate meters are major contributors to the high energy intensity in Bosnia and Herzegovina which causes additional costs to consumers, the EBRD said in a news release at the time.

Investing in a more modern, efficient, and flexible power distribution network will promote improved efficiency through reduced power losses and greater awareness of energy consumption patterns. It will also facilitate the penetration of higher levels of distributed renewable energy, the EBRD said.

The financing is provided as a loan to Elektro-Bijeljina, the EBRD said, adding that up to EUR 7.5 million of the loan will be provided by the Green Energy Special Fund, established and administered by the EBRD with the contribution of TaiwanICDF.

Elektro-Bijeljina, which covers about 20% of Republika Srpska’s territory, is the second ERS subsidiary after Elektrokrajina to get lending from the EBRD for the same purpose.