UNDP Jobs - 57801- Developing Power Purchase Agreement for Grid Conne

Developing Power Purchase Agreement for Grid Connected Renewable Energy Power Generation for Sudan

Location :

Khartoum, SUDAN

Type of Contract :

Individual Contract

Starting Date :

01-Aug-2015

Application Deadline :

11-Jul-15 (Midnight New York, USA)

Post Level :

International Consultant

Duration of Initial Contract :

28 days

Languages Required :

English

Expected Duration of Assignment :

02 months

UNDP is committed to achieving workforce diversity in terms of gender, nationality and culture. Individuals from minority groups, indigenous groups and persons with disabilities are equally encouraged to apply. All applications will be treated with the strictest confidence. UNDP does not tolerate sexual exploitation and abuse, any kind of harassment, including sexual harassment, and discrimination. All selected candidates will, therefore, undergo rigorous reference and background checks.

Background

Like many developing countries, Sudan has a shortage of electricity. Approximately 35% of the population has access to electricity. Even then, it is not reliable and experiences regular power outages. Hydro-power has the largest share of energy generation. The potential to expand hydro-power to meet future needs is limited. Sudan does not have significant oil or gas production and as a result will have to turn to importation of fossil fuels to meet future energy needs. Climate change threatens to affect rainfall patterns on which Sudan relies for the water that generates its hydro-power. This further emphasises the need for Sudan to diversify its energy sources. The wind energy project, which is a joint governemt/UNDP initiative and financially support by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), seeks to address these problems by promoting the generation of electric power from wind energy at autility scale in Sudan.

Sudan currently has a power generation capacity of 2,723 MW, has no wind generation capacity and no grid-connected solar capacity. Publicly-owned utilities own all of the power generation facilities, transmission and distribution lines in Sudan. The Government owns 5,984 km of 220 kV transmission lines and 965 km of 500 kV transmission lines. Approximately 35% of Sudan's population has access to electricity. In 2012, the power consumption per capita was 233 kWh/ year. There are no independent power producers (IPPs) in the country, though initiatives are underway to promote private investment in power generation. This project seeks to support those initiatives where they relate to wind power.

Sudan is seeking to effectively develop its renewable energy (RE) resources; however, one of the main barriers is the lack of a supporting legal and regulatory framework for RE power generation. Currently, a standard contract for renewable electricity generators does not exist and in this regard, assistance is being sought for the design of a toolkit for the development of renewable energy power purchase agreements and contracts.

The power sector has been unbundled into parastatal companies of Generation, transmission and distribution in an attempt to completely privatize the sector. Further, the country has embarked on a Wind Resource Assessment Program in a process to quantify the wind resource potential and identify possible locations for the installation of wind farms. Following this process, the development of PPAs for wind generated electricity will be a fundamental step not only for the planning and effective implementation of a successful wind project but also for other prospective RE projects. In addition to developing a standard PPA for large generators, it is also desirable to develop a standardized contract (or simplified PPA model) for small installations. As Sudan works to develop its renewable energy resources, having standard renewable energy power purchase agreements and contracts available will help ensure effective contracts are created. UNDP assistance in this regard will be of great value.

The Electricity Regulatory Authority (ERA) is developing a new tariff system including Feed-in-Tariffs and if a FIT is developed, standard renewable energy power purchase agreements and contracts will be valuable in guiding the creation of suitable FIT PPAs for renewable energy.

The objective of this assignment is to support the ERA in the development and maintenance of PPA through:

Develop a model PPA and deliver an associated PPA training

Developing a framework for power purchase agreements (PPAs) will ensure effective contracts are created for renewable energy generators seeking long term and secure investments. An associated training on the use of the PPA will assist in the construction of suitable contract options under the Feed-in Tariff scheme that the country is exploring, for both large and small renewable energy generators.

To provide training for the development of a monitoring and evaluation plan

In order to ensure that renewable energy growth and development is sustainable over time, the PPAs will undergo occasional monitoring and evaluation.

This training will assist in the following activities:

Assessing the effectiveness of PPAs;
Ensuring compliance with the terms and conditions of the PPA over the contract period;
Revising and making the necessary amendments to PPAs, taking into account changing market conditions.

Duties and Responsibilities

UNDP is seeking the service of experienced individual consultant to develop a country specific model Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for Sudan and shall be tasked with, but not limited to, the followings:

Prepare a project Inception Report that includes a detailed work plan of the consultancy, including a description of the activities to be carried out and outputs, a timetable of activities and delivery dates;
Review existing relevant legislation and frameworks to be including in the Electricity Act, and drafts grid code, and distribution code;
Develop a model PPA and deliver an associated PPA training;
Survey International PPA Models and Standard Contracts for reference only;
Survey Competitive Tendering Process for RE Projects;
Develop Model Agreements/Contracts for small RE Generators;
Develop Model PPA for large RE Generators;
Deliver training (workshop) to relevant key stakeholders on the application of the model PPAs. The purpose of this training (workshop will be to review the key ingredients to a successful PPA and contract negotiations. It will also provide an opportunity to review the model documents with relevant stakeholders and collect feedback;
Based on feedback from workshop, develop final standard model agreements/contracts for small RE Generators and model PPA for large RE Generators;
Provide training for stakeholders for the development of a monitoring and evaluating PPA Performance;
Survey monitoring and evaluation frameworks for PPA performance.

Develop a monitoring and evaluation framework that should include, but is not limited to:

A description of the monitoring and evaluation design methodology or strategy, including the framework to be used to gather the information;
A plan for gathering and analysing information on PPA performance;
Identifying initial, intermediate, and final outcomes.

During the assignment, the international consultant will be assisted by a national consultant who will work under his guidance and handle all local matters related to the assignment. This will include participation in all meetings, translating text/material provided in local language to English, drafting relevant sections in the output documents and participation in meeting with project stakeholders.

Competencies

Corporate Competencies:

Demonstrates integrity by modeling the UN’s values and ethical standards;
Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP;
Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability;
Treats all people fairly without favoritism;
Ability to work with a multi-cultural and diverse team.

Functional Competencies:

Sound understanding of policy issues related to renewable energy promotion;
Ability to analyze large amounts of complex and diversified data related to PPA;
Demonstrated experience in the formulation of Power Purchasing Agreement;
Demonstrated strong coordination and facilitation skills;
Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to initiate discussions about complex links with PPA and wind power generation.

Required Skills and Experience

Education:

M.Sc. in Engineering or Economics, a Ph.D. is an advantage.

Experience:

At least 5 years of experience with renewable energy policy design in the Africa (similar countries);
The consultant should have experience with renewable energy legislative reform, policy gap analysis, RE tendering processes, along with model PPA preparation and evaluation experience;
Be knowledgeable on international best practices and will be experience with delivering trainings to policymakers and regulators on RE topics;
Work experience with Power utilities is an advantage;
Work experience in Sudan is an asset.

Language:

An excellent command of written and spoken English is necessary.