REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT BANK

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PERN) Department

Desert-to-Power (DtP) Initiative

Rue Jean-Paul II, Plateau, CCIA, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire

RECRUITMENT OF A CONSULTANT FIRM

 

  1. Introduction :

The African Development Bank hereby invites Consulting Firms to indicate their interest in the following Assignment : Support in developing Knowledge Notes on various topical issues in the energy sector as well as draft a common protocol for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) investment in the Sahel Region.

The overall objective of the Desert-to-Power (DtP) Initiative is to accelerate regional-scale development of solar generation, transmission and decentralized energy projects across the Sahel region. Specifically, the DtP aims to add 10, 000 MW of new solar-generation capacity and provide universal access to electricity by 2030 in the G5 Sahel countries. The Initiative enjoys the highest level of political will and commitment following the endorsement of all five Heads of State of the G5 Sahel countries in September 2019 during the G5 Sahel Summit held in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso.

The DtP Initiative is based on a programmatic approach across five priority-action areas, notably (i) Expand utility-scale solar generation capacity; (ii) Strengthen national grids and expand regional networks; (iii) Deploy decentralized solutions; (iv) Improve utilities’ efficiency and (v) Enhance the enabling environment for increased private sector investments. Capacity building is a crosscutting component in all DtP interventions.

One of the key objectives of the DtP Initiative is to serve as a repository to inform decision-making and fast track project implementation. In addition, the Initiative aims to provide relevant sector information to government stakeholders involved in the energy sector, to increase their capacity when engaging the private sector and accelerate negotiations between the government and private sector. As part of this objective, the DtP Taskforce is seeking to implement a series of Knowledge Notes in the form of concise quarterly bulletins on various topical issues in the energy sector. The Knowledge Notes will address topics and issues considered to be major stumbling blocks for the implementation of projects in the Sahel Region, particularly the G5 Sahel Countries (i.e. Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger).

The Knowledge Notes will focus on :

  • Technical issues relating to solar energy costs and funding while showcasing interesting case studies on how the private sector can intervene in the G5 Sahel energy sector ;
  • Planning and integration of renewables into local on-grid systems, principles of Green Baseload and regional energy markets and utility transformation programs ;
  • Local content and contexts, solar panel producers, development models, newly created markets such as solar plants, solar home systems (SHS) and grid-mini-grids (GMG) ;
  • Procurement processes, notably on creating an enabling environment for effective and efficient procurement, selecting the appropriate procurement processes and guides for direct negotiations processes ; The consulting firm is also expected to develop a common protocol for the Sahel G5 countries on the issues that impede Independent Power Producers (IPPs) with focus on prerequisites for ideal IPP investments, currency convertibility and transfer of risks for ultimate endorsement by the countries. This exercise should build on other ongoing efforts/work in this area.

Considering this, the AfDB is requesting the services of a Consulting Firm with experience in energy sector advisory, policy and reform work, private sector project development and/or private sector energy sector financing with communication experience to implement the Knowledge Notes and develop the common protocol for the G5 Sahel countries on the issues that impede Independent Power Producers (IPPs) investment in the region.

  1. SCOPE OF THE ASSIGNMENT :

The work of the Consulting Firm is expected to include :

  1. Perform diagnostic review or analysis on various regulatory, bankability and policy challenges common in the G5 Sahel countries ;
  2. Identify issues that are typical blocking points in project negotiation between the private sector and the government energy stakeholders ;
  3. Engage various stakeholders internally in the African Development Bank and externally (i.e. sponsors, government institutions, lenders) to identify the common challenges that impede the implementation of energy projects ;
  4. Review existing documents on the identified themes (e.g. ALSF’s Understanding Power Purchase Financing) to inform key areas of focus ;
  5. Based on the diagnostic review develop an implementation plan for the Knowledge Notes including key topics and themes, content summary, format, communication strategy, timelines for the implementation etc. ;
  6. Design, draft, edit and publish the Knowledge Notes as appropriate for the target audience depending on the topic identified ;
  7. Lead on the engagements with internal and external stakeholders for feedback to refine the Knowledge Notes ;
  8. Prepare power points presentations, fact sheets and other marketing materials required by management in presentations of the Knowledge Notes ;
  9. Perform miscellaneous assignment-related duties as assigned.
  1. QUALIFICATION AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED :

The Consulting Firm should demonstrate staff profiles with the following qualifications, competencies, skills :

  • Experience in energy sector advisory, energy sector policy reform, negotiations of energy project documents combined with experience in communication in the fields of energy and finance ;
  • Pool of staff with at least Master’s degree in energy, economics, development studies, finance or equivalent qualification or accreditation. Additional qualifications in relevant legal matters is a plus ;
  • Proven ability to interact competently with the stakeholders in government and utilities on issues relating to private sector participation in energy sector ;
  • Deep knowledge and understanding of the electricity supply industry, regulatory environment and relevant institutions of the target countries in the G5 Sahel countries ;
  • Demonstrable understanding of private sector bankability requirements in energy sector projects (on and off grid) ;
  • Demonstrable experience in drafting and publishing knowledge materials in the energy sector ;
  • Proven experience in working with a wide range of stakeholders including regulators, governments, DFIs, international donors, and the private sector ;
  • Ability to deliver in high paced and changing work environment ;
  • Competence in the use of Bank standard software (Word, Excel, Access and PowerPoint) ;
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills in French and English.
  1. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT :

The firm will report to the Director Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PERN) and have the following reporting requirements :

  1. Inception report, including methodology, workplan and proposed schedule ;
  2. Monthly progress reports ;
  3. Final Quarterly Knowledge Notes ;
  4. Project Completion Report.
  1. DURATION OF ASSIGNMENT :

The duration of assignment is 12 working months. All deliverables shall be prepared and submitted for review and approval within the said period. The commencement date is planned for beginning of December 2020.

The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department invites Consulting Firms to indicate their interest in providing the above-described services. Interested eligible Consulting Firms or associations of Consulting Firms shall provide information on their qualifications and experience demonstrating their ability to provide the services (documentation, references for similar services, experience in comparable Assignments, availability of qualified staff, etc.).

The eligibility criteria, the establishment of a short list and the selection procedure shall be in conformity with the AfDB’s Rules and Procedure for the Use of Consultants under projects financed by the AfDB, May 2008 Edition, revised on July 2012 available on the AfDB Website at http://www.afdb.org. Please, note that interest expressed by a Consulting Firm does not imply any obligation on the part of the Bank to include it in the shortlist.

Interested Consulting Firms may obtain further information at the address below during the AfDB’s working hours : 8h00 to 17h00.

Expressions of interest must be received at the address below no later than Wednesday, October 21, 2020 at 17h00 local time and specifically mentioning Support in developing Knowledge Notes on various topical issues in the energy sector as well as draft a common protocol for Independent Power Producers (IPPs) investment in the Sahel Region.

For the attention of :

Mr Monojeet PAL.

Manager PERN2 & Officer-In-Charge (OIC) PERN1 Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Department (PERN) African Development Bank

Rue Jean Paul II, Plateau, Imm. CCIA, 01 BP 1387 Abidjan 01, Côte d’Ivoire Tel: +225 20 26 4622

Email : [email protected] with copy to [email protected] and [email protected]