ECA NEWS

ECA is adapting its WAIROA© power system simulation/optimisation tool to provide IFC with a simplified version of the model to be used by IFC to scrutinise potential power sector investments in the 12 countries of the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). WAIROA© can be...

National Grid has legally separated out electricity system operation. In the press, this is hailed as the opportunity to make generation zero carbon – surely the separation was unnecessary for that. What is needed is the harder task of efficiency in the trade-off of...

ECA has been commissioned by the IFC to review existing policies and regulatory frameworks related to distributed generation (DG) and tariff regimes in six Southern Africa countries (Botswana, Namibia, Malawi, South Africa, Zambia, Zimbabwe) to identify challenges for...

The first (non-binding) market test for Gastrade’s proposed floating LNG terminal in Northern Greece drew capacity bids of 12.2 bcm per year, more than twice its planned technical capacity. The project aims to promote diversified supplies, and increase energy security...

ECA has been contracted by the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy in the Gambia (funded by the African Development Bank) to develop a policy and regulatory framework for privately-developed and operated green electricity mini-grids to assist in meeting national...

Negative wholesale electricity prices are an increasingly common occurrence in European markets. Although a logical consequence of competitive market forces at play, negative prices are in breach of ENTSO-E guidelines and imply suboptimal load management. Ultimately,...

ECA has been contracted by the EBRD to support Montenegro in the development of its fourth National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP). The work forms part of ECA’s policy dialogue support to the EBRD under the Regional Energy Efficiency Programme Plus.

ECA has been contracted for a pricing study covering electricity, water and sewerage for the Gambia in West Africa, together with a toolkit for assessment of independent power producer (IPP) prices.

ECA is advising a solar power plant developer in sub-Saharan Africa. Applying our in-house dispatch model WAIROA, we simulate regional power markets including the South African market to obtain hourly price projections and project regional electricity trade patterns.

The question posed in the title is deliberately paradoxical – self-sufficiency must surely always be the enemy of expanding trade in electricity. Apparently not: self-sufficiency in generation capacity (MW) can be what unlocks political acceptance of expanding trade...

We welcomed in February by holding a ‘Time to Talk’ lunch to help raise awareness around mental health. Our staff enjoyed a variety of home-made and locally produced food dishes, supplemented with conversation on mental health issues. As one in four of us experience...

ECA is continuing its engagement in Lebanon by supporting the Government in drafting an Energy Policy White Paper. We are building on our experience in the electricity sector where we are advising on tariff design and in the gas sector, where we supported Lebanese...

ECA has been contracted by the World Bank to support the Government of Sierra Leone undertake the necessary analysis, remove barriers and build capacity for unlocking the potential of grid-scale solar PV in the country.

Rooftop solar is booming in both developed and developing countries. Rooftop solar reduces greenhouse gas and other emissions from conventional power generation. However, utilities are concerned that their reduced revenues exceed their cost savings and often they are...

A warm welcome to our new consultant, John Paparistodemou, who joins us from National Grid where he has worked in both the System Operator and in Market Fundamentals within Corporate Strategy. He has 7 years’ experience in the energy sector with a focus on electricity...

The EU’s updated Energy Efficiency Directive (EED) retains Article 7, which requires Member States to implement an Energy Efficiency Obligation (EEO) scheme, or eligible Alternative Measures, capable of delivering a set quantity of energy savings via energy efficiency...

ECA has been contracted 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...

ECA has been commissioned to conduct a global survey and analyse financing trends in the power sector for the International Energy Agency CCC. The assignment will analyse which lenders, investors and regions are continuing to invest in coal power.

ECA are providing advisory services to the Palestine Electricity Transmission Ltd in negotiation of a power purchase agreement (PPA) for a 200 MW CCGT plant to be located in the West Bank.

ECA has been contracted to review and update Uganda’s Renewable Energy Feed-in Tariffs Phase III for Electricity Regulatory Authority. This project follows multiple other REFiT updates and reviews conducted by ECA in the last few years in Southern and Eastern Africa.