ECOWAS-Regional Electricity Access Project

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The objective of the First Phase of Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) Regional Electricity Access Project for Western Africa is to increase grid electricity access in the Republic of Guinea-Bissau, the Republic of Mali, and the Republic of The Gambia. There are three components to the project, the first component being Design, supply, and installation (DSI) of electricity distribution infrastructure to maximize new connections. This component specifically supports: (a) the detailed design, supply, and installation of distribution networks through the construction of approximately 3,900 km of 33 kilovolt (KV) MV lines, approximately 1,060 33KV/400 volt(V) distribution substations, and approximately 3,700 km of 400 V LV lines to expand grid coverage and maximize the number of new connections; and (b) the supply and installation of last mile connection equipment, including service drops, smart meters for large consumers, prepaid meters, and ready boards for LV customers in each country and street lighting, all through the financing of non-consulting services, equipment and consulting services. The second component is the supervision of the construction and technical advisory services under component one of the project. This component will finance the costs associated with the recruitment of an Owner’s Engineer who will be recruited on a competitive basis under the project to supervise the work carried out under component one. The Owner’s Engineer will also monitor compliance with safeguard instruments (environmental and social) related to construction. Finally, the third component is the project coordination and technical assistance. In the spirit of strengthening national and regional capacities, this component will finance a combination of technical assistance and project management support to assist recipients in successfully implementing the project and preparing for future phases under the program. Specifically, this component will finance the strengthening of recipient implementation teams responsible for project implementation, expected project costs associated with the management of safeguards excluding the resettlement costs, and technical advisory services pertaining to preparation studies, such as least-cost electricity access development plans, for future projects in the region. The component will include two subcomponents: regional implementation support, and national implementation support.