Preparation and Supervision of ESMP for the temporary closure of Kaiha2 hydropower site

Republic of Liberia

Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA)

Request for Expression of Interest Consultancy Services for the Preparation and Supervision of ESMP for the temporary closure of Kaiha2 hydropower site

in Lukambeh District, Lofa County, Liberia

(CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRM SELECTION)

Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project

Contract Reference No: LR-RREA-466352-CS-CQS

Issue Date: December 23, 2024

Deadline: January 6, 2025

Background

The Government of Liberia (GoL), through the Rural and Renewable Energy Agency (RREA), has received funding from the World Bank for the Liberia Renewable Energy Access Project (LIRENAP). A key component of this project was the partially completed 2.5 MW Kaiha 2 Hydropower Project (HPP), located on the Kaiha (Zeriba) River, 4.75 km southwest of the Village of Mbaloma in Lofa County. The project, which was decommissioned before completion, originally included: A 7.5-meter high concrete overflow weir/gravity dam with spillway crest.

Two penstocks (1.85m in diameter and 41m and 45m in length). A surface powerhouse with 2 Kaplan turbines generating power into a micro-grid. A regulating reservoir for water storage.

A portion of the World Bank funding will be allocated to engage an independent Environmental and Social (E&S) consultant to develop an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) and implement an E&S monitoring program to ensure adherence to regulations during the decommissioning of the project.

Objective of the Assignment

The consultancy aims to develop an ESMP and E&S Performance Plans (ESPPs) for the decommissioning of the Kaiha 2 HPP. It includes the implementation of an E&S monitoring program to ensure compliance with environmental and social safeguards and regulatory requirements, minimizing impacts and ensuring safe dismantling and restoration of the site.

Key objectives include:

Development of ESMP: The ESMP should identify risks, impacts, mitigation measures, monitoring requirements, and the schedule for decommissioning activities. It should comply with World Bank’s operational procedures (OPs 4.01, 4.37, and others) and national regulations (e.g., Environmental Protection and Management Law, Land Rights Act).

E&S Monitoring Program: The consultant will ensure that the decommissioning contractor applies the mitigation hierarchy to address environmental and social impacts, focusing on the protection of watercourses, natural habitats, and community health and safety. The consultant will develop an Occupational Health and Safety (OHS) plan, manage waste recovery, and ensure cultural heritage protection, if applicable.

Community Engagement: The consultant will engage with local communities to gather input on the ESMP and disclose information about the decommissioning activities, ensuring transparency and addressing concerns.

Oversight of Decommissioning: The consultant will oversee the contractor’s compliance with the ESMP, monitoring adherence to all environmental and social safeguards, and ensuring that mitigation measures are implemented effectively.

Qualification, Experience and Competencies for Consulting firm Requirements

To be considered for shortlisting, the firm must meet the following qualifications:

• At least 10 years in ESMP development and E&S monitoring for large-scale infrastructure projects, particularly hydropower decommissioning in West Africa.

A proven track record of delivering similar services for sensitive environmental settings.

Team Expertise:

• Team Leader: 12+ years in ESMP development and monitoring, with expertise in hydropower decommissioning.

• Community Engagement Specialist (Local): 7+ years in community engagement for infrastructure projects in Liberia, familiar with local languages.

• Forestry/Biodiversity Specialist: 5+ years in biodiversity management, particularly reforestation and ecological impact assessments.

• Fisheries Specialist: 7+ years in fisheries management, especially for West African river systems.

• Environmental Health and Safety Specialist: 7+ years in OHS management and environmental compliance.

• Water Quality Specialist: 7+ years in water quality monitoring, especially in sensitive aquatic environments.

• Cultural Heritage Specialist (if applicable): 5+ years in cultural heritage protection for infrastructure projects.

Firm Capacity:

• Ability to provide qualified specialists for all roles and demonstrate experience with similar projects.

• Submission of CVs and evidence of previous project deliveries is required.

Documentation:

• Firms must submit detailed qualifications, project experience, and evidence of past successful similar projects (within the past three years).

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The RREA now invites eligible Firms to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants must provide information indicating that they are qualified to perform the services (profile, description of similar assignments, experience in similar conditions, availability of appropriate skills, etc.).

The attention of interested individual Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” dated July 2016, revised November 2017, and August 2018, November 2020 and September 2023, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. Please refer to paragraph 3.17 of the Procurement Regulations on conflict of interest related to this assignment which is available on the Bank’s website at http://projectsbeta.worldbank.org/en/projects-operations/products-and-services/brief/.

A Consulting Firm will be selected in accordance with Consultant Qualification Selection (CQS) method set out in the Procurement Regulations.

Further information and the detailed Terms of Reference (TOR) for the assignment can be obtained electronically at the following email addresses and Website, from Mondays to Fridays, from 0900 to 1600 hours GMT:

Email: [email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected],[email protected] Website: www.rrealiberia.org

Expression of Interest clearly marked Consultancy Services for the Preparation and Supervision of ESMP for the temporary closure of Kaiha2 hydropower site

in Lukambeh District, Lofa County, Liberia

, must be delivered in a written form (in hard or electronic/mail copy) to the address below, on or before 4:00 p.m. Local Time, on January 6, 2024.

Attn: Samuel Bocay Nagbe Jr.

Executive Director

Rural and Renewable Energy Agency

LEC Sub-station, Newport Street

1000 Monrovia 10, Liberia

Email: samuelnrrealiberia.org

Electronic submission should also be copied to the following addresses:

[email protected]; [email protected]; [email protected],[email protected],[email protected]

Only the highest ranked firm will be issued the Request for Proposals.