The Regulatory Authority has launched a search for companies interested in establishing a floating solar power plant in the waters of Castle Harbour.

A Request for Expressions of Interest, released yesterday, was described as a prequalification step in the tendering process for the project, which is hoped will generate as much as 10 megawatts of energy.

The REI mirrors a previous request published in 2022.

Documents included in the REI said: “To decarbonise Bermuda, the RA’s integrated resource plan published in July 2019 targets 85 per cent renewable energy penetration by 2035.

“The IRP identifies solar photovoltaic capacity development as essential to achieving this goal.

“Given Bermuda's constrained land availability, floating photovoltaic systems offer a viable solution. The Government of Bermuda has accordingly authorised the use of designated seabed areas for FPV development.

“Through this REI, the RA seeks to identify experienced FPV developers capable of delivering a complete floating solar project from feasibility studies through commercial operation.”

The scope of the project was said to include site assessments, system design, grid interconnection plants, equipment sourcing and procurement and the instillation, commissioning and potential operation of the FPC system.

“The purpose of this REI is to shortlist qualified bidders who meet the pre-eligibility criteria,” the documents added.

The REI documents identified potential locations for the project in Castle Harbour on either side of the “finger” extending from LF Wade International Airport in St George’s.

The finger already hosts a 6 megawatt solar farm, which came online in 2021.

“This initiative represents a critical step towards advancing Bermuda’s clean energy transition while demonstrating leadership in the deployment of innovative renewable technologies in island contexts,” the documents added.

The tendering process was broken down into three stages, with the REI being the first, allowing suitable engineering, procurement and construction companies to express interest in participating and provide information that demonstrates they satisfy pre-eligibility criteria.

“The focus will be on assessing the professional and technical competence and qualifications of potential bidders,” the documents said. “Only bidders that submit an expression of interest may participate in the Qualification Stage of the procurement.

“An evaluation panel will select bidders among those that meet all pre-eligibility criteria, and a request for qualifications will be sent to these selected bidders.”

After the RFQ stage, qualified bidders will be urged to submit full technical and financial proposals.

“The bidder whose tender has the highest score based on a multi-criteria evaluation will be designated as the preferred bidder and will enter into an implementation agreement,” the documents said.

The bidder with the second-highest score will be designated as the reserve bidder and will be approached if the preferred bidder becomes unable to move forward or fails to meet deadlines.

Expressions of interest must be submitted by November 4, with the request for quotations stage expected to begin in January 2026 and the invitation to tender stage starting by the second quarter of 2027.

The preferred and reserve bidders are not expected to be announced until early 2028.

The “preferred portfolio” proposed in the Regulatory Authority of Bermuda’s 2023 Integrated Resource Plan calls for procurement to begin “as soon as possible” for 20 megawatts of solar power generation and 60 megawatts of offshore wind power.

The possibility of solar power on the surface of the sea was also considered to account for Bermuda’s land constraints.

“Floating solar resources have previously been mostly in ponds and reservoirs but are more recently being developed for the ocean,” the plan said.

“Further studies are being conducted on the impact that salt water or wave action may have on the performance and lifetime of these resources.”