The Ministry of Petroleum & Energy
Terms of Reference
for the Review and Update of National Energy Policy, Strategies and Action Plan
FINAL
September 2021
1. Introduction and Background
In The Gambia, the electricity access rate is estimated around 60 % and more than 85% of households in The Gambia depend on traditional biomass to meet their basic energy needs. Therefore, increasing access to modern clean and affordable energy services for the population could have enormous multiplier effects such as reducing poverty, empowering women, generating opportunities as well as improving standard of living for the attainment of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Currently, The Gambia energy sector is characterized by heavy dependence on traditional biomass fuels mainly for household consumption, and imported petroleum products for electricity generation and transport. Cognizant of the afore-mentioned situation, the Government of The Gambia is committed to improving the energy situation in order to spur economic growth. In 2005, the Ministry of Energy developed the National Energy Policy, Strategies and Action plan which was revised in 2014 with the overall objective of re-defining the sector strategic objectives. Since then, a number of developments have taken in the energy sector including the development of an electricity roadmap in 2015, which was updated in 2017 and recently in 2021 to reflect new market opportunities and guide the development of the electricity sub-sector in the short-, medium- and long-term (2021 to 2040). There is strong need for the National Energy Policy to be consistent with the roadmap objectives.
It is against this backdrop that the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy is seeking the services of a consulting firm to review and update the National Energy Policy (2014) to reflect the recent changes and development in the sector especially in electricity, renewable energy, energy efficiency, domestic energy as well as petroleum sub-sectors. The review and update of the policy document would be carried out in consultation with relevant stakeholder institutions including the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs, Ministry of Trade, Regional Integration and Employment, Ministry of Transport, Public Utilities Regulatory Authority, National Environment Agency, Department of Forestry, National Water and Electricity Company, Gambia National Petroleum Corporation, NGOs, Civil Society, Private Sector etc. The assignment will be funded through the Gambia Electricity Restoration and Modernization Project (GERMP) co-financed by the World Bank, the European Investment Bank and the EU.
2. Objectives
The objective of the assignment is to support the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy to:
- Review the effectiveness of the existing energy sector policies, strategies, programs, and projects implemented since 2014.
- Develop smart policy measures for the electricity, petroleum, renewable energy, energy efficiency, and domestic energy sub-sectors as well as cross-cutting issues.
- Update the energy policy and recommend key policy measures, strategies, and actions for effective implementation.
3. Scope of Work
The scope of work covers the whole energy sector and will be conducted in phases. Phase one will conduct a thorough desk review of existing policies, plans, and programmes at both national and regional levels. Phase two will entail consultation with stakeholders, SWOT analysis of the energy sector. While phase three will focus on updating the National Energy Policy (2014), Strategy and Action Plan for the various sub-sectors.
- Phase One: Detailed Desk Review of Policies, Plan and Programmes
This phase will entail a detailed review of existing energy policies, strategic objectives, plans and programmes at both national as well as regional level to identify the existing gaps between the policies, plans, programs under the current situation and the policy, plans, programs needed to meet the sector objectives in terms of safe, secure, affordable energy and low carbon development. This phase is expected to last for a period of two weeks.
3.2 Phase Two: Stakeholder Consultation, SWOT Analysis of the Energy Sector
This phase will involve a detailed SWOT analysis of the energy sector and high-level consultations with relevant stakeholders. It also involves assessment and analysis of projects, and programmes undertaken in the last 10 years. The purpose of this assessment is to help draw useful lessons from the implementation of the projects and programs, as well as make recommendations to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy for future effective implementation of similar projects and programs.
This phase of the work is expected to last for four weeks. The consultants shall make a presentation of the findings to stakeholders in a Consultation Workshop.
3.3 Phase Three: Update of the National Energy Policy (2014) and re-define Strategy and Action Plan (2021-2030)
The third phase will mainly involve the update of the National Energy Policy (2014) Strategy and Action Plan. This should be informed by the outputs of Phase 1 and 2.
The consulting firm is expected to conduct the update of the energy policy and align it with the relevant regional (ECOWAS, AU etc.) and international energy policies and strategies (such as the SE4ALL, NDCs).
This phase is expected to be completed within six weeks. The consulting firm shall present draft updated policy, strategies, and action plan at a National Stakeholder Validation Workshop.
4. Deliverables
For the purpose of this assignment, there will be four deliverables:
- Inception Report: This should be prepared and submitted after the inception meeting with the Ministry and shall outline the agreed methodology, workplan for the assignment, and detailed desk review of policies, plans and programmes in the energy sector and gap analysis. To be submitted two weeks after the inception meeting (draft and final)
- Detailed SWOT Analysis of the Energy Sector and Stakeholder consultation Report
- Draft Updated National Energy Policy, Strategies and Action Plan (2021-2030)
- Final Updated National Energy Policy, Strategies and Action Plan (2021-2030): This final version of the updated policy shall be submitted two weeks after the Validation Workshop incorporating all comments
Draft reports for each deliverable (I-IV) shall be submitted via email to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy. For each of the deliverables I, II, and IV, the consulting firm is required to submit 1 soft copy (in USB) and 5 hard copies to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy.
In addition, the consulting firm shall provide the slide packs for the Consultation Workshop and for the Validation Workshop to the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy by email no later than 5 days prior to the respective Workshop.
5. Duration of Assignment
The timeframe for the consultancy service shall be for a maximum period of 4 calendar months.
6. Responsibilities of the Consulting firm
The responsibilities of the consulting firm will include the following:
- To carry out the assignment in the most professional manner desired.
- Be responsible for collecting all data and information required for the completion of the assignment.
- Be responsible for its own transportation, accommodation, and subsistence during stakeholder consultations and for the two workshops.
- Be responsible for the printing and binding and delivery of all reports as outlined in section 4 of this Terms of Reference.
- Prepare PowerPoint presentation of the relevant key deliverables and present this at the Consultation Workshop and at the Validation Workshop.
- Be responsible for addressing all comments received from stakeholders and providing a comments matrix describing how all comments have been addressed.
7. Responsibilities of the Ministry of Petroleum & Energy (MOPE)
The responsibilities of MOPE will include the following:
- Facilitate and support the work of the consultant during the assignment (stakeholder consultations etc.)
- Provide all documents (policies, strategies, action plans, Acts, regulations etc.) related to the assignment
- Coordinate the logistical arrangements for the organization of the two workshops (stakeholder consultation and validation workshops) (i.e., send invitations). Prepare and submit budget to GERMP PIU for the organization of the workshops to cover the costs of venue, food and refreshments, printing of materials etc.)
- Provide timely comments on draft deliverables.
8. Qualifications of the Consulting firm
The consulting firm must be incorporated in the Gambia (proof of business registration). The firm must have been in existence for at least five (5) years and have:
- Proven experience in policy and strategy development in the Gambia and/or in the sub-region
- Experience in the energy sector, locally and internationally
- Experience conducting similar assignments for public sector institutions in the Gambia
The team should comprise of the following three (3) key experts with qualifications and experience outlined below:-
- Team Leader/Lead Expert
- Energy Economist
- Public Policy Expert
The Team Leader would coordinate the overall work, assure the coherence and quality of the services provided and lead the delivery of the content of the assignment. The team leader’s profile should have:
- At least a master’s degree in public policy, economics, engineering, strategic planning, business administration or related field
- At least 10 years professional experience in developing policies, strategies and action plans for the public sector
- Experience in policy and regulatory aspects of energy
- Experience in leading similar assignments
- Ability to analyze, compile and synthesize, and present technical information
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Excellent writing / presentation skills and fluent in English
- Energy Economist
- A master’s level degree in economics, finance, engineering, or the economics and energy related field
- At least 8 years’ experience in energy policy, energy planning,
- Ability to analyze, compile and synthesize, and present technical information
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Excellent writing / presentation skills and fluent in English
- Public Policy Expert
- A master’s level degree in public policy, strategic planning, public administration or related field
- At least 6 years postgraduate experience in public policy development. Experience in energy policy development is desirable
- Ability to analyze, compile and synthesize, and present technical information
- Ability to work effectively in a team environment
- Excellent writing / presentation skills and fluent in English
- Reporting Requirements
The Team Leader/consultant team will report directly to the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Petroleum & Energy. However, the consultant’s team will work closely with the Energy Division of the Ministry.
- Submission of Proposal
Interested firm should send separate technical and financial proposals in sealed envelopes marked “CONSULTANCY FOR UPDATE OF NATIONAL ENERGY POLICY, STRATEGIES AND ACTION PLAN (2021-2030)” and addressed to:
Permanent Secretary
Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
Petroleum House, Brusubi Roundabout
Brikama Area Council
