The Gambia seeks consulting support for electricity distribution system

The Government of The Gambia has called for support from the consulting industry to assist with the development of a strategic master plan for the country’s electricity distribution system. Alongside general forecasts, the assignment will involve the updating of its financial model and a number of other improvements.

In recent weeks, The Gambia has substantially ramped up its efforts to develop its energy sector. Last month, the country’s National Water and Electricity Company called for consulting support to help develop a solar power project, involving the establishment of a high-capacity solar PV grid.

The country is now looking to make improvements to its overall electricity distribution system, with hopes to optimise every stage of the production and distribution process. The new infrastructure is part of broader efforts from the country to meet the anticipated demand for electricity over the next few years.

To this end, the government hopes to work in collaboration with consultants to devise a strategic master plan, which will evaluate the current state of electricity distribution across the country and provide estimates on the levels that the demand will reach in the near future.

Specifically, the assignment involves an initial demand and estimation forecast, following which a solar mapping study and a land banking exercise will be required. In addition, the consultants will help examine the prospects for thermal power generation, primarily through a gas-to-power options study.

Consultants will also examine the energy imports in The Gambia, based on which a least-cost power development plan will be devised. In the technical domain, the selected consulting firm will conduct a universal access study and develop a technology & development master plan based on its findings.

Lastly, the firm will conduct an update of the system’s financial model and make institutional arrangements to increase efficiency. The project is the latest in a string of energy development projects across Africa in recent times, in a concerted effort to cover the large gap in infrastructure development prevalent across the continent.