Expression of Interest are invited for National Energy Surveys (MTF) in Guinea Bissau, Mali, and The Gambia The ECOWAS Regional Electricity Access Project (REAP) is a $225 million regional operation that aims to extend the distribution networks from the West African Power Pool interconnections to provide electricity access in West Africa. It is the first of a series of Projects (SOP) to provide grid electricity access to 2.5 million people in West Africa by leveraging an innovative joint procurement method, cost-effective technologies, and harmonized and standardized equipment. This first project in the series covers Guinea-Bissau, Mali, and The Gambia and provides technical assistance to ECOWAS. REAP is the first regional electricity access programme in West Africa and the only one that strategically leverages power from regional interconnectors (largely financed by the World Bank) in line with the regional integration agenda of the Bank for West Africa. As part of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Electricity Access Project (ECOREAP), the World Bank (WB) is launching a national energy survey to obtain a more granular picture of current energy access in Guinea Bissau, Mali, and The Gambia. [Guinea-Bissau] Guinea Bissaus current energy situation is challenging, with a low electrification rate of 33%, and only the capital city having a higher rate of 58%. The national grid currently only covers Bissau and its surroundings and relies on expensive rental power (HFO), to meet the peak demand of 24 MW. The national utility, Electricidade e Aguas da Guine-Bissau (EAGB), needs better financial and operational performance, with an 80% billing rate and total losses of 35%. The generation costs represent 75% of EAGBs overall costs. EAGBs situation requires the implementation of low-cost production alternatives and improving operational performance. The population of Guinea Bissau relies on traditional solid fuels for cooking, as only 1% of the population has access to clean cooking solutions. Environmental and sanitary issues from solid fuel stoves, such as eye problems and respiratory diseases, disproportionately affect women and girls. [Mali] In Mali, 57% of the population has access to electricity, with rural areas disproportionately affected. Energie du Mali (EDM-SA), the national utility, monopolizes power transmission and distribution in Mali. Since 2009, no tariff adjustment has been implemented by the Malian government, and as a result, the utility is facing sustained increases in operating costs, resulting in a constrained financial situation. Mali Government subsidies to EDM-SA have been required to cover these costs and maintain electricity supply and the utility has been operating at an annual loss of US$81 million. In addition, access to clean cooking is very low. Biomass resources (wood and charcoal), which cause health problems among the population through indoor air pollution, are used by 98% of households for cooking. [The Gambia] The Gambia is primarily dependent on imported fossil fuels. Approximately half of The Gambias citizens have access to electricity through the National Water and Electricity Company (NAWEC). Unfortunately, NAWEC faces significant debt service costs, which comprise a quarter of its revenue and limit its ability to maintain the aging power infrastructure. Although network distribution losses have decreased from 27% to 22%, technical and commercial losses remain problematic, with technical losses accounting for an estimated 14% and commercial losses for 8%. According to SDG7, 2023 the electricity access rate in Gambia is approximately 64%. The access can vary significantly between urban and rural areas, with urban areas generally having higher access rates than rural areas. Only approximately 2% of The Gambias total population has access to clean cooking, with all of these individuals living in urban areas, while rural areas lack access. Environmental issues arising from using solid fuels can cause various household health problems. In consultation with multiple development partners, the Electricity Sector Management Assistance Program of the World Bank (ESMAP-World Bank) developed the Multi-Tier Framework (MTF) to monitor and evaluate energy access by following a multidimensional criterion. The MTF redefines energy access by replacing the traditional binary count with a multi-dimensional definition as the ability to avail energy that is adequate, available when needed, reliable, of good quality, convenient, affordable, formal, healthy and safe for all required energy services across households. Based on the definition, the MTF approach measures energy access provided by any technology or fuel at different levels. Energy access is measured in the tiered spectrum, from Tier 0, indicating no access, to Tier 5, the highest level of access. The energy survey is essential for capturing the current energy access status, assessing household energy affordability, estimating electricity demand, and understanding the off-grid solar and clean cookstove markets from demand and supply perspectives. Findings from the study will guide electrification prioritization, promote productive use of electricity, and offer insights for future government subsidy interventions, especially regarding off-grid solar solutions and clean cooking solutions. ESMAPWorld Bank intends to engage a consulting firm to conduct energy survey activities and related capacity building in the respective governments, including Guinea Bissau, Mali, and The Gambia. The assignment will be conducted in coordination with the Ministry of Energy (ME) and Guinea Bissau National Statistical Institute (Instituto Nacional de Estatística (INE)) for Guinea-Bissau; Ministry of Energy and Water (Ministere d lEnergie et de lEau (MEE)) and National Statistical Institute (INSTAT) for Mali; Ministry of Petroleum and Energy (MOPE) and the Gambia Bureau of Statistics (GBoS) for Gambia. Other key stakeholders will be involved as needed. The objectives of this study are: (1) To analyze energy access at a granular level This study aims to provide information on the status of energy access in different countries, including Guinea-Bissau, Mali, The Gambia, and at the household, community, public institution, and enterprise levels. By utilizing the Multi-tier Tracking Framework for Energy Access, the study will analyze access to electricity and clean cooking services in more detail. (2) To examine the energy affordability of households This study aims to analyze households ability to pay for energy services. It will examine households expenditure levels and energy spending. Additionally, the study will investigate households demand and willingness to pay for grid connection, off-grid solar solutions, and improved biomass stoves/clean cookstoves at different price points and payment periods. (3) To analyze off-grid solar and clean cooking markets This study will explore the markets of off-grid solar technologies and clean cooking solutions. It will also examine local financial markets for solar suppliers and identify challenges and opportunities to scale up off-grid solar markets. Tender Link : https://wbgeprocure-rfxnow.worldbank.org/rfxnow/public/advertisement/3655/view.html
