Capacity-Building Workshop on Mini-Grid Tender Preparation in Ghana

Accra, Ghana

Background

Ghana has made strong progress in expanding electricity access, with mini-grids now playing a key role in reaching remote island and lakeside communities. However, local solar EPC contractors continue to participate at a limited scale in mini-grid tenders, often due to gaps in technical preparation, bidding skills, and understanding of tender requirements. To address these challenges and support stronger local participation in the sector, IRENA, in collaboration with the Ministry of Energy and green Transition, is organising a two-day training workshop in Accra targeted at Ghanaian solar and renewable energy companies preparing for upcoming mini-grid procurement opportunities.

The workshop focuses on technical design, financial costing, and tender preparation, using practical exercises and a dummy bid to strengthen participants’ readiness for upcoming procurement rounds.

A site visit to an operational mini-grid in Ada is planned for 9 February 2026.

 

About the workshop

This workshop aims to strengthen the capacity of local solar and renewable energy EPC contractors in Ghana to create a strong pipeline of competitive mini-grid tenders. Through practical exercises and a simulated tender process, participants will build skills in technical design, financial costing, and bid preparation, while gaining insights into Ghana’s mini-grid policies and upcoming procurement opportunities. Inputs from Ministry of Energy, SECO, VRA representatives on practical experiences and insights from past tender processes will also help participants improve the quality and competitiveness of their future submissions.

 

Sessions covered

  • Ghana’s mini-grid policies and upcoming tender opportunities
  • Mini-grid system fundamentals and technical design considerations
  • Technical proposal preparation, including demand assessment and system sizing
  • Financial costing and development of competitive mini-grid bids
  • Practical tender preparation skills, documentation quality, and bid strategies

 

Participants

In-person event. By Invitation only.

Priority will be given to the EPC companies, selected through an online registration system. Some government officials and development partners may also participate.