National Consultant – Site Identification and Feasibility Study to pilot Two Small-Scale Biomass Power Plants to Demonstrate Technical and Financial Viability - Sri Lankans only

Consultant

Contract

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Background

The main objective of Biomass Energy 2022 (Phase II) is to expand and upscale viable models and partnerships to address the remaining gaps and transform the biomass energy market in Sri Lanka, as a fuel that can be considered as a clean energy source for homes and industry. As per the Marginal Abatement Cost Curve developed for various end use energy technologies in Sri Lanka biomass energy technologies were among the leading options that were the low-cost options that bring in net cost savings with reduction in emissions to achieve Sri Lanka’s energy sector NDC targets. However, the biomass energy sector has been operating on an informal level with minimal coordination and standards for sustainability. Wider adoption of biomass fuels in small and medium industries, government institutions and even households in the country currently dependent on fossil fuel for thermal energy needs is held back due to awareness on clean and modern technologies, cost benefit and availability of market-ready biomass fuel. To drive the sector towards sustainable supply the project aims to promote the use of waste stream sources from the agricultural sector, timber industry etc to produce biomass energy products like pellets, briquettes, grass bales etc.

Biomass power plants are included in the government policy as a strategy toward energy security and increasing the renewable energy in the energy mix as it also brings in socio economic benefits. Biomass power plants are preferred by the CEB as they are firm power sources that do not fluctuate like solar and wind power plants.

A study conducted by the Biomass Project on the feasibility studies on small scale biomass power plants has revealed that biomass power plants from 250 kW to 3 MWe are technically and financially viable.

This study investigated the feasibility of small-scale power plants of different technologies operating on fuelwood and agricultural waste. These plants due to the nature of their size do not demand as much of a fuel supply as large plants and as a result are less likely to face supply chain issues and can be strategically located to ensure a steady supply chain operating on agricultural waste and fuel wood.

The findings of the studies are important for the government towards achieving its goals in energy security, increasing renewable energy in the energy mix, achieving energy NDC targets while also benefiting from the positive socioeconomic impacts.

Scope and Objectives

Purpose of this consultancy is to identify two locations (site 1 and site 2) in Sri Lanka and carry out a detailed feasibility studies to implement two pilot small scale biomass power plants. A study of the locations is expected to provide a quantification of the sustainable supply and type of feed stock that will be available to the plant over the life cycle of the small-scale biomass power plants. Proximity to grid connection points and the capacity of the local grid to absorb the output from the small-scale biomass power plant must be considered in selecting the site. Depending on the quantity and type of feedstock, and other parameters of the location, the appropriate technology and capacity must be selected and recommended based on technical and financial feasibility. The study should also identify the procedure to obtain necessary clearances and approvals, any present obstacles and recommendations to overcome these obstacles.

Duties and Responsibilities

1. Under the overall supervision of the Team Leader, Integrated Knowledge Management, the consultant will be directly responsible to the National Project Director and the Project Management Unit
2. The consultant should report to Project Manager in seeking approval/acceptance of outputs listed below under “Expected Outputs/Deliverables”
3. The PMU expects the Consultant to report progress of each output bi-weekly at the PMU Progress reviewing meetings.
4. The Consultant is expected to closely liaise and collaborate with relevant project stakeholders in the course of performing the work (e.g., SLSEA, Ministry of Power, Energy and Business Development, Ministry of Industries, Ministry of Agriculture, BOI, CEA, Private sector industries, local government authorities, etc.)

The consultant’s duty station/location during the contract will be Colombo based with extensive field works in pursuit of other relevant activities, especially where traveling will be required. The consultant will be required to report for the progress review meetings and any other meetings related to this assignment convened by the PMU even if intermittent.

EXPECTED OUTPUTS / DELIVERABLES

Output 1: Identification of two potential sites to pilot two small scale biomass power plants

The objective of this section is to identify two locations at least at a GN division level or an exact plot of land. The following should be covered by the consultant in the site selection report

1. Identify grid connection point: Proximity should be taken into account to minimize the investment cost.
2. Determine the grid absorption capacity: The grid should have capacity to integrate the power plant.
3. Assessment of the biomass resource potential through a GIS study. The assessment should make a quantification of the biomass and the type of feed stock available. This will enable selection of the appropriate small-scale biomass power plant technology to handle the types of feed stock and size the power plant.
4. Other factors needed to operate the power plant, eg:- availability of water etc
5. Other existing infrastructure needed to operate the power plant, eg:- roads etc
6. Proposed locations at least to GN division level or an exact plot of land and extent of land needed for establishing the power plants. If locations are identified at a GN division level, the land use pattern at proposed location should also be provided.

Deliverable 1:

Report of sites identified for piloting two small scale biomass power plants

Expected date for Deliverable 1: 15th October 2020

Output 2: Selection of best technology suited to the sites identified

According to the feed stock quantity and quality, the best suited technology should be identified based on the technical and financial viability and should cover at least the following areas

1. Introduction to the technology
2. Design criteria
3. Basic components from the plant from fuel feeding to ash disposal and emissions control
4. Analysis of the fuel supply chain including source, transport, processing, storage and associated costs
5. Project costs and investment appraisal. The project costs should include all costs including land acquisition, connection to the grid, development of infrastructure, equipment, installation and commissioning etc. The financial analysis should include payback period and NPV over the project life cycle
6. Technical expertise needed for their operation

Deliverable 2:

A report on the best suited technology for small scale biomass power plants to the sites identified

Expected date for Deliverable 2: 05th November 2020

Output 3: Clearances and Approvals

For each site and the recommended technology, the necessary procedures/steps to meet the criteria and to obtain the environmental clearances should be clearly explained and outlined.

The procedure for obtaining the necessary approvals until the power purchasing agreement should be clearly outlined in a graphical manner. Any current obstacles in obtaining clearances and approvals should be clearly explained and recommendations to overcome these obstacles must also be clearly outlined.

Deliverable 3:

Report on the Clearances and Approvals

Expected date for Deliverable 3: 25th November 2020

Output 4: Two separate consolidated reports for the two sites

Two separate reports for the two sites should be submitted by consolidating the above sections. These reports are intended to be comprehensive reports to guide investors and decision makers.

Deliverable 4:

Consolidated report for site 1 (Demonstrate Technical and Financial viability)

Consolidated report for site 2 (Demonstrate Technical and Financial viability)

Expected date for Deliverable 4: 15th December 2020

Timeframe

• The envisaged time frame of the consultancy is 60 days over three months starting from 20th of September 2020 and ending in 20th December 2020.
• The PMU will require five days to review the outputs delivered by the consultant

Competencies

The prospective consultant should, as a minimum, have the following competencies and qualifications;

1. Technical

• Wide experience in the energy sector project/ programme developments
• Demonstrated experience in the development of biomass power plants
• Strong understanding in operations of biomass power plant technologies, supply chains, their financial and economic impacts and a good background knowledge on the energy industry in Sri Lanka.
• Strong understanding about global and national climate change and environmental issues

2. Partnerships

• Maturity and confidence in dealing with senior members of national and private sector institutions
• Displays cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Excellent written communication skills, with analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected data and findings for the preparation of quality analysis for the development of the report.
• Excellent coordination skills and result oriented collaboration with personnel with different age groups, educational levels, backgrounds – especially for this case, the players in the biomass industry
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) and partnership building skills with multi-dimension partners

3. Results

• Promotes the vision, mission, and strategic goals of UNDP.
• Builds strong relationships with clients, focuses on impact and result for the client and responds positively to feedback.
• Good team player who has ability to maintain good relationships.

Required Skills and Experience

1. Education

• Minimum of Master’s Degree or higher in Engineering, Energy Technology, Energy Economics or related field

2. Experience

• Minimum of 10 years of demonstrable experience in the energy industry, policy development related to renewable energy options (especially related to biomass energy), institutional analysis and process improvements for better results

3. Languages/ Other

• Excellent English language skills, working knowledge in Sinhala/ Tamil

HOW TO APPLY

To apply please access UNDP Jobs site http://jobs.undp.org

The application should contain:

• Cover letter (1 page) explaining why you are the most suitable candidate for this Terms of Reference.
• Updated CV to include qualifications/competencies and relevant past experience in similar projects and contact details of 2 professional referees who can certify your competencies, professionalism, quality of writing, presentation and overall suitability to this TOR (max 3 pages).
• Individual consultants will be evaluated based on a combination of factors including cover letter, the credentials on offer and brief interview (optional) and the offer which gives the best value for money for the UNDP.
• Please send the Financial Proposal separately to the following e-mail address: consultants.lk@undp.org stating the vacancy number/position in the subject line. Do not submit your financial proposal with your CV and/or cover letter to http://jobs.undp.org

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee: LKR

Or

All Inclusive Daily Fee: LKR

Amount in words: LKR

Note: Payments will be based on invoices on achievement of agreed milestones i.e. upon delivery of the services specified in the TOR and certification of acceptance by the UNDP. The applicant must factor in all possible costs in his/her “All Inclusive Lump Sum Fee” including his/her consultancy and professional fee, travel, honorarium, board and lodging, and any other foreseeable costs in this exercise. No costs other than what has been indicated in the financial proposal will be paid or reimbursed to the consultant. UNDP will only pay for any unplanned travel outside of this TOR and Duty Station on actual basis and on submission of original bills/invoices and on prior agreement with UNDP officials. Daily perdiums and costs for accommodation/meals/incidental expenses for such travel shall not exceed established local UNDP DSA rates.

For an Individual Contractor who is 65 years of age or older, and on an assignment requiring travel, be it for the purpose of arriving at the duty station or as an integral duty required travel under the TOR, a full medical examination and statement of fitness to work must be provided. Such medical examination costs must be factored into the financial proposal above. Medical examination is not a requirement for individuals on RLA contracts.

PAYMENT FOR SERVICES

Payments will be based on milestones certified by the Project Management Unit.

The National Consultant shall receive payments in according to the following installments from UNDP:

1. Submission of Deliverable 1 in Section D (A report of sites identified for piloting two small scale biomass power plants) by 15th October 2020 - 30 % of the contract value
2. Submission of Deliverable 2 (A report on the best suited technology for small scale biomass power plants to the sites identified) in Section D by 05th November 2020 - 40 % of the contract value
3. Submission of Deliverable 3 in Section D (A report on the Clearances and Approvals by XXXXXX) by 25th November 2020 - 20 % of the contract value
4. Submission of Deliverable 4 in Section D (Consolidated report for site 1 ) by 15th December 2020 - 10 % of the contract value

Incomplete applications will not be considered. Please make sure you have provided all requested materials.

UNDP is committed to achieving diversity within its workplace, and encourages all qualified applicants, irrespective of gender, nationality, disabilities, sexual orientation, culture, religious and ethnic backgrounds to apply. All applications will be treated in the strictest confidence.

Apply now

Added 3 years ago - Updated 3 years ago - Source: jobs.undp.org