ECONOMIC CONSULTING ASSOCIATES

 

AFRICA / RECENT PROJECTS INCLUDE >

Power sector reform strategy, Egypt

Egypt wanted to learn from the experience of comparator countries in developing a transitional road map to a competitive electricity market. The objective of this consultancy was to provide the Government with information on the experience of relevant international comparator countries to inform Egyptian thinking on two policy issues that required urgent definition: the road map for transition to a competitive electricity market and parameters for the establishment of an energy planning entity.

Assessment of sustainable energy investment potential, Egypt

ECA prepared a Report for the EBRD, assessing the electricity and gas regulatory and market frameworks with the aim of benchmarking them against international standards (particularly the EU), providing a clear analysis of the progress of reform and identifying gaps as well as future reform needs.

Egypt gas pricing

ECA worked with the Government of Egypt to help establish a consistent approach to manage the process of fuel subsidy reforms over the next five-year period, including specific components on communications and social protection. The key issue for this study was identifying the principles of gas pricing and how they should be applied over time as Egypt reforms its gas sector.

Gas to power investments in Sub Saharan Africa

We reviewed the power demand and generation expansion plans of all 47 Sub Saharan African (SSA) countries for use in a power dispatch model, utilised for estimating the demand for gas in power generation in each country through to 2035. A costing model was then used to compare the economics of transmitting power generated at the gas resource by transmission line to gas by pipeline versus power stations located in the demand centres.

Cost of service and tariff study, Tanzania

ECA was engaged by the Energy and Water Utilities Regulatory Authority (EWURA) to develop a comprehensive electricity cost of service and tariff design study. The assignment also included recommendations on energy efficiency and time of use tariffs for future inclusion in the tariff structure, and a significant capacity-building component.

Africa economic and institutional advisory services: power and mining in Africa

The Africa Power & Mining study, for the World Bank, sought to investigate options for the mining sector to become more reliant on the national grid for its power needs, thereby opening up options for exploiting large generation options with economies of scale and strengthening the national transmission system. The goal is to reduce power costs for the mines, while at the same time increasing the availability of power for the nation as a whole. The study included case studies of 8 countries (Guinea, Mauritania, Mozambique, Tanzania, Cameroon, DRC, Ghana and Zambia). The World Bank published a consolidated report that included other research entitled The Power of the Mine.

Zambia sanitation regulation and tariffs

ECA worked with the water sector regulator, NWASCO, to develop a strategy for regulating sanitation services in Zambia. Both on site and sewered sanitation services were included in the recommendations, bringing NWASCO to the forefront of sanitation regulation. The project included a significant capacity-building component.

Ghana gas masterplan

We were appointed by the Government of Ghana to develop a national medium to long term gas strategy. This included recommendations on an optimised gas infrastructure plan, prioritised gas allocation across exports and domestic utilisation options and a suitable pricing, regulatory and institutional framework for implementation of the gas strategy.

Solar power plant feasibility study in Namibia

ECA advised a private PV plant developer on the regulatory, market and commercial risks of an embedded PV generation unit associated with a large mine. The team modelled required revenues of the state owned utility, NamPower, on the basis of a power market simulation and varying power generation development scenarios. As part of the work, ECA’s in-house dispatch model Wairoa was used to assess hourly and seasonal load patterns and dispatch.

Rural electrification pre-feasibility studies in Mozambique

ECA has been commissioned by DFID to conduct a prefeasibility study for the electrification of 30 off-grid sites in Mozambique. The results of the study will be used to provide recommendations regarding the most appropriate investment and operation model for off-grid systems across the Mozambican market.

Lilongwe Water Board (LWB) tariff and willingness to pay study

ECA reviewed LWB’s tariffs in the context of a proposed new water supply dam, examining the extent to which the tariff could cover the capital cost. Structure of tariffs was also reviewed. For low income households without in-house connections, the advantages of having prepayment meter standpipes as an alternative to conventional kiosks was analysed in detail.

Development of RE regulations, Rwanda

Support to RURA in the development of various rules and regulations governing renewable energy and off-grid electrification including recommendations for improvement of existing regulations for the Feed in Tariff framework for hydro and extension to other technologies.

Electricity tariffs, Swaziland

ECA assisted The Swaziland Energy Regulatory Authority in developing a tariff support mechanism (subsidy framework) and a connection charge policy for Swaziland.

Market assessment for solar appliances, Uganda

Thorough market assessment of standalone solar for productive uses (SSPU) in Uganda. This research was to support the World Bank in determining whether to expand the scope of their Energy for Rural Transformation Phase III (ERT-3) project to provide financing for this type of products. The study focused primarily on agriculture and on opportunities for solar irrigation and small-scale agricultural processing, but other high-potential commercial and industrial sectors were also identified and explored.

Electricity tariff study, Rwanda

ECA prepared a Report for the EBRD, assessing the electricity and gas regulatory and market frameworks with the aim of benchmarking them against international standards (particularly the EU), providing a clear analysis of the progress of reform and identifying gaps as well as future reform needs.

Design and establishment of urban water regulator, Uganda

This project objective was to establish an autonomous urban water regulator for Uganda, to ensure that water supply is both financially sustainable and affordable for consumers through setting appropriate tariff structures and other regulatory mechanisms. ECA reviewed the current water sector regulatory framework, comparable frameworks from other countries, prepared a business plan and financing strategy, and drafted the required legal frameworks for establishing the regulator.

Design of a mini-grid facility, Rwanda

This assignment was to prepare the mini-grid component of the proposed World Bank-assisted Rwanda Renewable Energy Fund Project. The mini-grid component is to support private sector renewable energy mini-grids to demonstrate that commercially viable mini-grids are able to sustainably deliver affordable electricity services to households and enterprises in rural areas.

LPG feasibility and strategy, Kenya

ECA carried out a market appraisal of the feasibility of an LPG import and bottling facility in Mombasa to supply Kenya and neighbouring countries, plus an assessment of institutional arrangements for distribution of LPG throughout Kenya.

Regulatory models for water and power, Lesotho

ECA assisted in the electricity regulator broadening its mandate to become the Lesotho Electricity and Water Authority (LEWA). In follow-up projects, we have assisted LEWA in the implementation of economic and financial regulatory models.

Cubango-Okavango multi-sector investment opportunity analysis (MSIOA) study

Building on past studies for the basin organisation OKACOM, the MSIOA study sought to determine a development pathway to meet the national development needs and poverty reduction objectives of the member states (Angola, Namibia and Botswana), without compromising the ecosystem services of the basin and diminishing the global value of the Okavango Delta. The study involved developing integrated economic, hydrological and environmental modelling and working with stakeholders to strengthen regional cooperation in the basin.

Egypt gas flaring regulations, Egypt

ECA advised the Government of Egypt on a suitable regulatory framework to reduce associated petroleum gas (APG) flaring and venting levels at upstream production sites.