Strategic technical-economic and environmental feasibility studies for decentralized rural electrification by mini-solar photovoltaic power plants in Togo

Objectives: The overall objective of the project is to support the Togolese Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies Agency (AT2ER) to electrify 317 rural localities by isolated mini-networks based on renewable energies, especially solar (hybrid, solar and storage), thanks to the involvement of private sector who will invest in the construction and operation of mini-grids as part of public-private partnerships (overall anticipated amount of the investment: 300 MEUR). The objective of the study is twofold: To conduct a precise, comprehensive and up-to-date data collection on the localities targeted by the program in order to best support the preparation of the envisaged Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, as well as the preparation of a competitive tender; To provide the technical and economic feasibility of the projects, their indicative costs and their environmental and social impacts, with the aim of informing the government in the preparation of the project, and its implementation, in particular as regards the launch of a competitive tender. Outputs: A preliminary methodological report for a new method combining socio-economic, geospatial and statistical data into mini-grid modelling; A geospatial database (GIS) allowing the visualization of the road/ network/ plots access per locality/ per region/ over the whole territory; Geospatial referencing and characterization of all productive activity in the village and numbering of potential connections; individual grid layouts designed; Baseline study: socioeconomic study (including in terms of access to electricity according to the multilevel framework); Forecasting study on supply and demand (over 12 years); Strategic Environmental Assessment (SEA) including Environmental and Social Management Framework (ESMF); Generic Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) to be adapted for the 317 localities; Preliminary report on the performance criteria; minimal technical compliance criteria, international cost benchmarks (to be included in the tender documentation); Final technical feasibility study report including i) a conceptual design of works and equipment; ii) quantities and estimated costs of equipment; A final report.