Studies
Power generation. Power transmission  Hydro electricity

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Pre-feasibility study of 2.5 MW-sized isolated minigrids in Lofa County, Liberia, including preliminary design of generation facilities and mini-grids.

Country : Liberia. .
Client : REA - Rural Electrification Agency .
Start Date : 09/2015
Completion Date : 04/2016
Value of services : 222 745 USD
Funder : World Bank
Associate/Partner : CSET
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Description :
The objective is to conduct a pre-feasibility study to find the best options for hybrid renewable energy-diesel based electricity supply to four major towns in Lofa County, Liberia and additional 4 smaller ones, using two or more isolated mini-grids. The pre-feasibility study includes an estimation of peak and electricity demand in these communities, technical design of the mini-grids (including optimization among various options for generation and combinations of communities), estimation of capital and operating costs of the systems, evaluation of economic and financial costs and benefits, as well as a preliminary identification of social and environmental issues to be addressed in the feasibility stage and institutional issues.
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Description of the Actual Services Provided IED has conducted the following activities:
- Estimate peak and energy demand in 8 towns including Voinjama, Foya, Kolahun and Zorzor. For this IED worked in cooperation CSET for the field surveys.
- Optimization of design of mini-grid: assess the best energy generation mix among combinations of hydropower, solar PV and Diesel generation. IED conducted optimization of several generation mix options and recommended least-cost options.
- Engineering design and capital cost estimate for both the generation plants and the distribution grids. For the grids design, IED used specific GIS-tools to optimize the grid pattern and calculate the capital cost.
- Technical, financial and economic feasibility analysis at pre-feasibility level over a twenty-year period.
- Recommend institutional set-up and tariff structure
- Capacity building of national stakeholders regarding load forecast, hydropower and minigrids design.