Feasibility study of mini-hydropower projects in Tanzania

Request for expressions of interest: Feasibility study of six mini-hydropower projects in Tanzania


Closing date: Friday 20th April 2012

Download terms of reference (PDF file).

Background

The ESME Trust Fund, financed by the Russian Federation and administered by the World Bank, was established in April 2009 to support energy SME development in sub-Saharan Africa. A key challenge facing energy SMEs in the region is lack of capacity to access financing. To address this challenge, the World Bank is collaborating with GVEP International (Global Village Energy Partnership) and Tanzania’s Rural Energy Agency (REA) to implement the ESME Pre-Investment Technical Support programme, which aims to build the capacity of SMEs by assisting them with completing feasibility studies, business plans and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs).

GVEP International is a non-profit organisation working to increase access to affordable and sustainable energy services and reduce poverty in developing countries. In Tanzania, GVEP International is collaborating with Rural Energy Agency (REA) in supporting six mini-hydropower (MHP) project developers with completing feasibility studies as part of the ESME programme. The six projects have a combined capacity of approximately 7.5 MW, and are located across Tanzania in the regions of Mbeya, Iringa, Ruvuma, Arusha and Kigoma. All have undertaken pre-feasibility studies, although some are further ahead than others in terms of the quality and quantity of data they have gathered, and the steps they have taken to advance the project's progress.

Description of the Opportunity

REA and GVEP International are now seeking expressions of interest (EOI) from firms interested in conducting feasibility studies for one or more of the six MHP projects.

The proposed scope of work includes:

Site inspection
* Evaluate existence of a suitable energy resource
* Review existing infrastructure and conditions, including operational considerations
* Evaluate proposed location of key civil components e.g. intake, powerhouse
* Verify existence of a nearby demand for electricity and/or grid connection
* Determine land ownership and/or the prospect of land acquisition or lease
* Determine status of all other required permits e.g. water permit

Technical surveys
* Conduct hydrological survey of site
* Conduct geological survey of site
* Conduct topographical survey of site

Power capacity assessment
* Select and size turbine and generator
* Optimise the operating range of the turbine
* Determine the maximum and average annual energy output

Project design
* Research and design civil components e.g. penstock length, canal lining
* Finalise specifications of generating equipment (turbine, generator, control system)

Cost analysis (1)
* Gather data to estimate capital costs and operational costs

The Consultants will be selected in accordance with the Procedures as set out in the World Bank’s Guidelines – Selections and Employment of Consultants by the World Bank Borrowers, May 2004, revised October 1, 2006 and December 2010.

Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality- and Cost-Based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

It is expected that the selected firm(s) will be responsible for coordinating the work and delivering a high quality, detailed feasibility study.

Interested firms must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills among proposed study team, etc.).

At this stage, important evaluation criteria include:

* Experience with planning and delivering feasibility studies for mini-hydropower projects, preferably in East Africa
* Capabilities and tools to conduct the necessary hydrological, topographical and geological surveys and cost analyses
* Ability to leverage existing experience to critically evaluate the project¡¦s technical and financial feasibility
* Understanding of the challenges of working and gathering data in remote, rural areas
* Strong report-writing skills

Submitting Expressions of Interest

To respond to this request for EOI, please send the above information and a covering letter to Africa Regional Manager by email to east.africa[at]gvepinternational.org no later than 11:59pm GMT+3 on Friday 20th April 2012. Please include "EOI Feasibility Study" in the subject line.

Questions and comments about this request for EOI should be directed to the same email.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

(1) Note that financial modelling and demand analysis, including revenue estimations, will be performed by GVEP International, and are therefore not included in the scope of work.