Ethiopia-Sudan ESIA Study | Procurement Notice and TOR

Assignment Title: Consultancy services for Updating Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the Ethiopia-Sudan Electricity Interconnector

Reference No.: ET-EAPP-241709-CS-QCBS

The Eastern Africa Power Pool (EAPP) has applied for financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Horn of Africa Regional Integration for Sustainable Energy Supply and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (the Services”) include the provision of Consultancy services for Updating the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment of the Ethiopia-Sudan Electricity Interconnector.

The objective of the Consultancy Services

The main objective of the project is to increase the reliability of supply in the two countries by taking advantage of the complementarity of the two systems, and the variability of the peak demand. The interconnection line is envisaged to support investments in infrastructure that will facilitate the coordinated interconnection facilities between Ethiopia and Sudan, and thus start to remove physical constraints to the integration of the power systems. It is also foreseen that the Project could be the first step towards regional power markets to utilize the enormous energy resources of the Eastern Nile Area, such as hydropower.

The objective of this consultancy is to update the Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIA) report that was undertaken by CESI (2016) for the proposed projects (including TLs, substations as well as ancillary and associated facilities, if any) along with all relevant associated environmental and social instruments.

The Consultant shall ensure that the updated Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA) report complies with and meet the legal and technical requirements of the Governments of Ethiopia and Sudan and the World Bank. These, include GoE and GoS requirements under Environment Protection Act, 1997 and Environment Protection Rules, 1997 (with amendment), Forest Act and regulations, National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act and regulations, environmental standards, work procedures, guidelines, and manuals (e.g. Hydropower EIA Manual), etc; and the World Bank’s requirements under the ESF (ESS1 to ESS10), World Bank Group’s Environmental Health and Safety Guidelines, including EHS Guidelines for Electric Power Transmission and Distribution, and the World Bank Good Practice Notes (GPNs) on Labor influx and Gender-Based Violence.

The Consultant shall ensure that all beneficial and adverse impacts associated with the construction and operation of the project, including all associated/ancillary works and linked activities if any, are assessed and taken into account. Outputs include the preparation of the ESIA package, including a Cumulative Impact Assessment, Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP), Resettlement Action Plan (RAP), and Indigenous People’s Development Plan (IPDP).

Scope of the Services

The scope of this assignment is in short, an updating of the ESIA report that was prepared during 2016 for the Ethiopia – Sudan Interconnection Transmission Line. The ESIA should be updated in line with the World Bank’s Environmental and Social Framework. The scope of consulting services for updating the ESIA includes, but not necessarily limited to, the following:

PART I:

 Drafting of the Stakeholder Engagement plan (SEP).

1. Preparation of a Resettlement Framework (RF) and Action Plan (RAP).
2. Prepare an Indigenous People’s Development Framework (IPDF) and Plans (IPDP).
3. Prepare Gender Action Plan (GAP).

Part II:

The full and specific scope of work for Part II will be defined by the outputs of Part 1; nonetheless, it is presumed that the following will be included;

1. Updated environmental and social baseline data.
2. Updated Impact Assessment and Analysis.
3. Update the Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP).
4. Update the Monitoring Plan from ESMP and related Plans.

The Eastern Africa Power Pool now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are:

1. Core Business (Areas of Expertise);
2. Years in Business;
3. Experience in similar Assignments.  For each project performed, the consultant shall provide the name and contact address of the client (office and e-mail address, and telephone number), date(s) of execution, name(s) of lead and associate firms, contract amount, and financing sources.; and
4. Technical and Managerial Capability.

Key Experts will not be evaluated at the short-listing stage.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” July 2016 revised November 2017 and August 2018, and November 2020 (“Procurement Regulations”), setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected.

A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Quality and Cost-based Selection (QCBS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information can be obtained from Eastern Africa Power Pool, E-mail:  eapp@eappool.org, and copy to ckilangi@eappool.org and jwahogo@eappool.org.