Feasibility and Environmental & Social Assessment Studies of the Priority Generation Investment Project in Liberia

The WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Integration and Technical Assistance Project (ITAP – P113266) and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include: Feasibility and Environmental & Social Assessment Studies of the Priority Generation Investment Project (PIP) in Liberia. This assignment is composed of 2 packages that will have to be prepared in close collaboration with the Client (WAPP) and national authorities:

1. Package 1 - Hydropower: Studies of an approximate 150 MW hydropower plant on St Paul River (SP2);
2. Package 2 – Solar: Studies for phased development of up to 90 MWp Solar PV park.

The overall objectives of these studies are:

1. to provide full bankable Feasibility Studies (FS) for the Priority Generation Investment Project (PIP) including hydropower & solar assets and associated transmission infrastructure;

2. to carry out Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) to identify all eventual impacts and risks of the PIP on the biological, physical, economic, social and human environments, on the basis of which an Environmental & Social Management Plan (ESMP) and Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) will have to be developed to suggest appropriate solutions to mitigate negative impacts while enhancing positive spin off in order to offer best integration of the project into its host watershed. E&S, including Occupational Health and Safety activities will have to be compliant with the new World Bank (WB) Environmental & Social Framework (ESF) as well as the applicable WB's Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs);

For hydropower package, the Consultant shall among others, review the available information, realize field investigations and geotechnical surveys, and carry out all technical, environmental and social studies required in support to the preparation of the PIP and the establishment of its optimal design characteristics, cost estimate, and proposed implementation program, as well as a complete economic and financial analysis.

For solar package, the Consultant shall among others: (i) identify & screen potential sites or reservoirs (for floating solar); (ii) finalize the technical characteristics & design of the Solar Park(s) with where deemed necessary and relevant battery storage

As transversal tasks, the Consultant will also (i) consolidate integration of the PIP in the national system and National Electrification Strategy and propose optimum transmission lines and substations; (ii) undertake a diagnosis for SCADA development and the creation of Dispatching Center and (iii) establish an evaluation of required investments in capacity building (technology, training) and modernization (hardware equipment, software, smart grid technology, etc.).  

In specific terms, the Consultant will be requested to mobilize skilled expertise and resources in order to execute all required tasks described in the detailed Terms of Reference prepared for the Feasibility Study and the Environmental & Social Studies respectively, including the capacity building / institutional strengthening components. The detailed Terms of Reference (ToR) for the assignment can be found at the following WAPP website:  http://www.ecowapp.org/en/tenders

Please note that these ToR are indicative and could change before the issuance of the Request for Proposals. The total mission execution period is estimated to be 57 weeks after the contract is signed.  The contract is expected to be awarded in March 2020.

The WEST AFRICAN POWER POOL now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experiences to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:  

1. Demonstrated experience in the preparation of Feasibility Studies for major hydropower generation projects (minimum 50 MW) with dams. The Consultant shall have successfully completed at least five (5) similar mandates over the last 12 years of which at least two (2) involved the preparation, procurement, and supervision of a geotechnical field investigation program.
2. Demostrated experience in the preparation of Feasibility Studies for major solar generation projects (minimum 15 MW).  The consultant shall have successfully completed at least three (3) similar mandates over the last 10 years. 

3. Strong experience in ESIA for dam & solar projects, with at least 5 similar mandates for dams and 3 similar mandates for solar development (minimum 15 MW), successfully completed over the last 12 years. At least three (3) of dam projects will have involved a reservoir with an area greater than 10 km2 and the preparation of associated RAP & ESMP.

4. Previous experiences in (i) planning and integrating generation projects in national energy systems, and in (ii) energy projects (including field work) in Sub-Saharan Africa, and preferably West Africa. Familiarity with the electricity sector of Liberia, WAPP organization and the objectives of the CLSG project will be an advantage.

5. Availability of in-house staff with strong technical and ESIA expertise with proven capabilities in developing hydropower projects in accordance with sustainable development principles. The firm must count with at least 10 key specialists which expertise may be called upon for the Services as part of its permanent staff (min 2 years with the firm).

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph 1.9 of the World Bank’s Guidelines: Selection and Employment of Consultants by World Bank Borrowers (January 2011- Revised July 2014) (“Consultant Guidelines”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

The Consultant should also note that in in order to meet World Bank requirements, candidates will be required to put in place the conditions that will foster balanced views between technical and E&S aspects and prevent any conflict of interest, including (i) independence of the two teams (technical and E&S) which will still be required to work in close collaboration; and (ii) mobilization of neutral/balanced overall coordination arrangements. It is here expected that this single Consultancy will address key concerns in a holistic and integrated approach, giving due consideration to all technical, social and environmental aspects in a sustainable and optimal perspective. 

Consultants can associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub consultancy to enhance their qualifications.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the “Quality and Cost-based Selection” method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained via mail addressed to: 

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form (English) to the address below in person, by December 9th, 2019, 10:00 am Cotonou time (original, 4 hard copies + an electronic version).

Attn:  Mr. Siengui A. KI, Secretary General 

West African Power Pool                     

PK-6 - Zone des Ambassades,

06 BP 2907 - Cotonou - Benin

Tel: (+229) 21 37 41 95 / (+229) 65 66 98 98

 

Expressions of Interest must be delivered in sealed envelopes bearing the mention: "Feasibility, Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Studies of the Priority Generation Investment Project in Liberia Ref: BJ-WAPP-130085-CS-QCBS".  Expressions submitted by email will be rejected.

download_annex_c_preliminary_program_of_field_investigations.docx

download_annex_c_preliminary_program_of_field_investigations.docx

download_executive_summary.pdf

download_executive_summary.pdf