Albania has limited access to oil, natural gas and coal, and reserves are costly to exploit and generally have low quality. Electricity is mostly produced with hydropower (98%), which is vulnerable to rainfall variations causing regular power crises (2000 to 2002 and 2006 to 2007). Energy demand exceeds energy supply so a portion of electricity is imported. In these conditions, the National Energy Strategy indicates intention to boost renewables, and trends appear to be positive. Among other renewables, use of biomass is an option that worth to be investigated. Biomass has many advantages over conventional energy sources, as well as over some other renewable energies, in particular, relatively low costs, less dependence on short-term weather changes, promotion of regional economic structures and provision of alternative sources of income for farmers. Historically, firewood dominates heating and cooking in the rural areas. However, there has been significant decrease in the domestic use of firewood from 1990 levels attributed mostly to a shift to heating and cooking with electricity; at the same time as industry’s use of electricity declined. Current firewood supply could amount to about 267 ktoe per year with a demand around 235 ktoe per year according to local figures. Household stoves and heaters used are basic in design and have low efficiencies. Most farms are relatively small, with average size of only 1.14 ha and average parcel size of just 0.27 ha, and 30% of farms operated on a subsistence basis. There is however a trend towards consolidation. Current agricultural residues potential has been estimated at only 130 toe per year, while the biogas one has been estimated at about 1200 toe per year. Levels of technology to exploit biomass are very low, with no local technology manufacturers, even for domestic stoves or heaters. Some local expertise in renewable energy exists, although generally speaking, it is not built on practical experience. In a recent study commissioned by the UNDP in January 2009, opportunities for the use of biomass energy in Albania have been reviewed and the technical and market potential for biomass energy use has been assessed to determine the best options for market transformation activities, possibly co-funded through a grant from the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) or through a Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) project. The key recommendation emerging from this study is that a national biomass energy programme should be developed, envisaged to help the country develop markets for modern biomass energy and improve the efficiency of current biomass use in households, institutions and businesses, thereby reducing global GHG emissions. GEF funds seem more feasible to be used to bringing new biomass energy and energy efficient technologies, sharing international best practices and upgrading existing approaches to forest management and fuel use. |
The objective of this assignment is to prepare the Project Identification Form (PIF) and Project Preparation Grant (PPG) for the proposed Albanian Biomass Energy and Energy Efficiency Project in a standard GEF template. The recent feasibility Study on Biomass Energy in Albania will be made available to the consultant at the starting point of his/her assignment. The project components might be aimed at all or a part of the following: 1) Market development targeting improvement of the efficiency of current biomass energy use in households, industry and commerce, and the public sector; 2) Pilot forest management activities with local authorities and various types of Albanian forest (oak coppices, Mediterranean shrubs, etc), targeting sustainable exploitation of the resources for the benefit of the local communities; 3) Small-scale biomass heating for schools, clinics and public buildings; 4) Management of animal waste as alternative energy sources for the production of biogas; and 5) Spent mushrooms compost (SMC) as a key component in the Integrated Bio system.
Scope of the assignment and main tasks: - Brief national partners on the GEF CC Focal Area Strategy, project development process and requirements;
- Review existing documentation on biomass, in particular the recent feasibility study on biomass, identify information gaps request the collection / update of information needed for the PIF and PPG preparation;
- Propose project structure and outline in consultations with the UNDP Albania and UNDP Bratislava Regional Centre;
- Ensure broad stakeholder consultations and ensure involvement of all stakeholders in the discussion of the draft outline of the proposal;
- Summarise and provide brief overview of related biomass technologies in the countries with similar conditions and as well the prior national practices in Albania;
- Prepare the PIF and PPG documents in accordance with the latest GEF guidelines;
- Ensure that the PIF and PPG clearly address the recommendations provided by the GEF secretariat;
- Ensure that the PIF and PPG clearly articulate incrementality and cost effectiveness of GEF investment;
- Include detailed and separate budgets for project preparation and implementation, relating all inputs to outputs, including USD values and working days;
- Prepare detailed ToRs for all consultancies and sub-contracts to be undertaken during the PPG stage;
- Prepare the work plan for project preparation phase;
- Submit the draft PIF and PPG for UNDP review;
- Revise and finalize the PIF and PPG documents taking fully into account UNDP comments and suggestions, prepare them for GEF Secretariat submission;
- Fully address GEF Secretariat comments.
List of deliverables and time-line - Draft Project Identification Form (PIF) and Project Preparation Grants (PPG) documents (10 October 2009);
- Final Project Identification Form (PIF) and Project Preparation Grants (PPG) documents ready for submission to the GEF Secretariat (20 October 2009);
ToRs for the consultancies to be undertaken during the PPG stage (20 October 2009) |
