Update and Preparation of Environmental and Social Instruments under the ESCP

Project: Huila-Cunene Interconnection Project

Huila-Cunene Interconnection Project (PIHC) – P512716

Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.: 98860

Assignment Title: CONSULTING FIRM FOR UPDATING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL IMPACT ASSESSMENT (ESIA), ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (ESMP), AND PREPARATION AND IMPLEMENTATION OF THE RESETTLEMENT ACTION PLAN (RAP) FOR THE HUILA–CUNENE INTERCONNECTION PROJECT (PIHC)

Reference No. (as per Procurement Plan): AO-RNT-525426-CS-QCBS

The Government of the Republic of Angola (“GoA”) has received financing from the World Bank under the Huila–Cunene Interconnection Project (“PIHC”) and intends to apply part of the proceeds to consulting services for the update and preparation of Environmental and Social Framework (“ESF”) instruments required for the implementation of the Lubango–Cahama transmission infrastructure under PIHC.

The Project is implemented by Rede Nacional de Transporte de Electricidade (“RNT-EP”), under the supervision of the Ministry of Energy and Water of Angola. PIHC is a strategic initiative supporting regional power system integration, strengthening transmission reliability in southern Angola, and enabling future interconnection with the Southern African Power Pool (“SAPP”) and Namibia.

The Project includes the development of high-voltage transmission infrastructure across the provinces of Huíla and Cunene, including: (i) Construction of approximately 200 km of 400 kV transmission line between Lubango and Cahama; (ii) Expansion of the existing Lubango 400/220/60 kV Substation with additional 400 kV line bays; and (iii) Construction of the new Cahama 400/220/60 kV Substation and associated facilities.

As part of the environmental and social due diligence required under the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (“ESF”), RNT-EP intends to engage a qualified Consulting Firm to update, prepare, finalize and support disclosure and implementation of the following instruments:

1. Updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (“ESIA”);
2. Updated Environmental and Social Management Plan (“ESMP”); and
3. Full Resettlement Action Plan (“RAP”), including implementation support.

Previous ESIA/ESMP studies, Stakeholder Engagement Plans (“SEP”), Resettlement Policy Framework (“RPF”), and related safeguard instruments were prepared for the Project in 2019/2020 under earlier financing frameworks. The current assignment aims to align the environmental and social instruments with: (i) The updated engineering designs and final transmission route; (ii) The World Bank ESF and Environmental and Social Standards (“ESS1–ESS10”); (iii) Applicable Angolan legislation and permitting requirements; and (iv) The Environmental and Social Commitment Plan (“ESCP”) of the Project.

The assignment includes comprehensive environmental and social studies, stakeholder consultations, baseline surveys, impact assessment, mitigation planning, and disclosure support activities for the Lubango–Cahama transmission corridor and associated substations.

The scope of services includes, but is not limited to:

• Review of existing ESIA/ESMP, RPF, technical studies, ROW maps, and engineering documentation;
• Environmental baseline assessments covering physical, biological, hydrological, biodiversity, climate resilience, and ecosystem services aspects;
• Social baseline assessments, including socio-economic surveys, livelihood analysis, vulnerable groups assessment, land tenure analysis, Indigenous Peoples screening consistent with ESS7, and GBV/SEA/SH risk assessment;
• Update of the ESIA in accordance with ESS1 and Angolan environmental legislation;
• Preparation of a practical and costed ESMP, including sub-management plans;
• Preparation and implementation support of a RAP compliant with ESS5;
• Stakeholder engagement and consultation activities consistent with ESS10;
• GIS mapping, spatial analysis, and preparation of geo-referenced datasets;
• Support to disclosure processes, public consultations, and World Bank review cycles; and
• Preparation of final bilingual disclosure-ready environmental and social instruments in English and Portuguese.

The Consultant shall work closely with the PIHC Project Implementation Unit (“PIU”), relevant Angolan authorities including the Ministry of Environment (“MINAMB”), local stakeholders, and the World Bank throughout the assignment.

The assignment shall ensure full compliance with: Applicable laws and regulations of Angola; World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (“ESF”); Environmental and Social Standards (“ESS1–ESS10”); Environmental, Social, Health and Safety (“ESHS”) requirements; Labor Management Procedures (“LMP”); SEA/SH risk mitigation requirements; Stakeholder Engagement and Grievance Redress requirements; and Project disclosure and consultation obligations.

The assignment is expected to be implemented over a period of twelve (12) months, including preparation, fieldwork, stakeholder consultations, review cycles, disclosure support, and finalization of all environmental and social instruments.

The Terms of Reference (“TOR”) are available at the address below during office hours.

RNT-EP now invites eligible consulting firms to express interest in providing the Services. Interested firms must demonstrate relevant qualifications and experience in environmental and social advisory services for large-scale infrastructure projects.

Shortlisting criteria include:

1. At least ten (10) years of experience in environmental and social consultancy services for major infrastructure projects, including energy and transmission sectors, with demonstrated experience in Sub-Saharan Africa or similar contexts.
2. Proven experience in the preparation and/or update of ESIA, ESMP, and RAP instruments for World Bank or other IFI-financed projects, including application of World Bank ESF/ESS requirements.
3. Demonstrated experience in high-voltage transmission infrastructure projects (≥220 kV), substations, or linear infrastructure involving land acquisition, stakeholder engagement, and SEA/SH risk mitigation measures

Additional information:

• Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage.
• Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a Joint Venture (“JV”) or sub-consultancy arrangement to enhance their qualifications.
• In the case of a Joint Venture, all partners shall be jointly and severally liable.
• Attention is drawn to the World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers (September, 2025 Revision), particularly the provisions regarding conflict of interest.
• The selection method shall be Quality and Cost-Based Selection (“QCBS”).
• Expressions of Interest should preferably not exceed thirty (30) pages, excluding annexes.

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in written form to the address below (in person or by e-mail) no later than June 10, 2026 at 15:00 (Luanda Time), clearly marked:

“Expression of Interest – Consulting Firm for Updating ESIA, ESMP and Preparation and Implementation of RAP for PIHC”

PIU Office Located at RNT-EP’s Headquarters

Attn: Mauro Hernany Ferreira Martins (PIU Coordinator)

Address: Gaveto entre a Via Expressa e a Estrada do Camama, junto à Subestação Eléctrica do Camama

Luanda, Angola

Tel: (+244) 222 704 400 / (+244) 704 401

E-mail: procurement_525426@pihc.ao