A/ Project context
Over the last decade, the Tunisian energy
landscape has been marked by a decline in primary energy resources, continued
growth in energy demand, and an increase in energy imports. This has resulted
in a structural energy deficit that reached 57% in 2023 compared to 7% in 2010.
This situation poses a real problem of energy dependence, which translates into
a significant risk of security of supply in the medium and long term.
To remedy this alarming situation, Tunisia has
been committed for several years to an energy transition policy aimed at
setting up an efficient, diversified energy system, less dependent on fossil
fuels and meeting the requirements of the country's economic and social
development, while preserving the local and global environment by opting for
clean and sober energy solutions. Tunisia has ratified the Paris Agreement and
has committed in its Nationally Determined Contribution to reduce the carbon
intensity of its economy by 41% by 2030 compared to 2010.
To achieve the objective of integrating 35% of
renewable energy by 2030, a regulatory framework for the development of
renewable energy has been in place since 2015, authorizing the private sector
to play a more important role in achieving the objectives set by the State,
through three investment regimes: concession, authorization, and
self-production.
Regarding its concession program for
large-scale projects, in 2019, a 500 MW solar tender was launched, of which 200
MW is currently under construction and 300 MW is nearing financial close. In
2022, a 1,700 MW tender (1,100 MW solar and 600 MW wind) was launched in three
rounds, with an improved tender process incorporating lessons learned from the
2019 tender. In December 2024, 500 MW of solar capacity was awarded for the
first round, with competitive bids ranging from 3.1 to 3.3 USc/kWh.
Storage in Tunisia is expected to mitigate the
variability of the solar plant and transfer some of the electricity during the
evening peak. A hybrid project, solar and BESS, can bring different benefits to
the grid, such as energy transfer, ancillary services, postponement of
transmission and distribution network upgrades, and smoothing out power
fluctuations. In this context, and to continue its support to the Tunisian
government in accelerating its renewable energy program, the World Bank, in
collaboration with the Ministry of Industry, Mines, and Energy (MIME), wishes
to carry out a technical study for a 350-400 MWp solar project with battery
storage (BESS) in Tunisia.
B/ Objective of the
mission
The Government of Tunisia plans to exploit its
exceptional and abundant renewable energy resources to develop in a timely
manner solar projects aligned with the objectives of the National Energy
Strategy and meeting the current needs of the state-owned operator (STEG). In
this context, the World Bank is seeking to recruit a technical consultant (the
"Consultant") to evaluate the best functioning and functionalities of
the BESS coupled with the [350-400] MWp solar park in Tunisia. This analysis
will enable the World Bank to better inform the Tunisian government in the
procurement of solar parks. The study also contributes to the broader dialogue
at the World Bank on structuring hybrid PPAs.
C/ Scope of work and
deliverables
The Consultant will provide
recommendations on the optimal configuration of the solar plant in terms of (i)
solar technologies and (ii) storage technologies (including technology and
capacity).
The technical design will cover
each of the following tasks:
- Task 1: Kick-Off,
Data Collection and capacity building
- Task
2: Analysis of the state-of-the art and proposal
of technological scenarios
- Task 3: Simulation of the optimal
operation and functionalities of the BESS
- Task
4: Site assessment
- Task 5: Technical Analysis
- Task
6: Grid Impact Assessment and Possible Development
- Task
7: Economic and financial analysis and recommendations
- Task 8: Final technical study report
i.
Task 1: Kick-Off, Data Collection and capacity building:
The Consultant shall:
-
Prepare a scoping report presenting (i) the detailed methodology
of the mission, (ii) the list of data and documentation required for its completion,
(iii) a timetable for the expected completion of all required tasks, meetings
and workshops.
-
Organize a half-day workshop with the IPP Unit, STEG and all other
relevant stakeholders in Tunisia and, if necessary, bilateral meetings with the
relevant agencies, to present the draft inception report and obtain comments.
-
Finalize report preparation based on feedback received.
-
Capacity building plan: The consultant shall conduct a 5-day
training program on the topics covered in this mission. This training will aim
to enhance the technical and operational knowledge of the client's team,
focusing on the optimal configuration of solar and storage technologies,
technical design, site assessment, grid impact assessment, and economic and
financial analysis. Additionally, the consultant shall organize a 5-day
knowledge transfer mission abroad, which includes a visit to an operational solar
+ battery power plant in a foreign country. The consultant will propose three
potential countries for this visit, and the client will approve the final
choice. The consultant is responsible for preparing the visit program and
confirming meetings with main stakeholders who were involved in the preparation
of the selected project. These meetings should cover various topics and
facilitate knowledge transfer with the system operator, the regulator,
different ministries, and the developers. The World Bank will cover the
logistics and mission expenses for the delegation only. This visit will provide
the client's team with practical insights and firsthand experience of the
implementation and operation of similar projects, thereby strengthening their
capacity to manage and oversee the development of their own solar + battery
initiatives.
Deliverables of Task 1:
The Consultant will be required to provide the
following deliverables covering the scope of work described above:
LT1.1: Draft of the inception report presenting:
- The
detailed methodology for the mission
- List of
data and documentation required
- A
timetable for the expected completion of all tasks
TL1.2: Submission of the inception report
TL1.3: Capacity Building Plan
ii.
Task 2: Analysis of the
state-of-the art and proposal of technological scenarios
The Consultant will
propose various technical configurations for the solar project aligned with the
demand as defined by the Client in conjunction with the Public Operator
(the National Electricity and Gas Company (STEG)). The Consultant will analyze
such data after agreement with the Client (based on market developments and
regional data where appropriate).
The Consultant will produce a
state-of-the-art technology analysis: similar reference projects, list of Tier
1 suppliers, main services to justify the different technical configurations,
as well as the optimal operating conditions to preserve the service life of the
BESS: SoC or DoD limits, etc., temperature, standby, maintenance strategies and
monitoring KPIs (SoH, cycle count, internal resistance, temperature etc.)
Deliverables for Task 2:
The
consultant will be required to provide the following deliverables covering
the scope of work described above:
LT2.1: Relationship with
the state-of-the-art technology, and for each of the configurations,
including at least:
- A preliminary generation profile for the
location chosen by the Government
- Related CAPEX and OPEX
- The resulting LCOE and LCOS for the Client
- Localization Potential (as agreed with the
client during the kickoff meeting)
LT2.2: Power Point
presentation of the final report
iii.
Task 3: Simulation of the optimal operation and functionalities of the
BESS
The Consultant shall:
-
With one-minute solar data over the past 25 years for the site
located at coordinates latitude 33.690511° and longitude 9.023622° (The
Consultant should obtain the SolarGIS data or equivalent for this site over 25
years and should provide the data to the World Bank and the Government), the
Consultant should use simulation tools (Python among others is recommended) to
analyze the three types of use of the BESS (peak shaving, smoothing and peak shifting). These tools
will be transferred to the client, and a one-week training will be organized to
introduce how to install and use the tools.
-
The calculations will use the following data as baseline for a
base case which will be further discussed with the client before the analysis
begins: (i) [400] MWh of BESS with [350-400] MWp of solar; (ii) smoothing
function of [10]% x Pnom/Pmin; (iii) compensation of peak energy during peak
demand (up to the usable capacity of the batteries); (iv) peak shaving at [15]%
of rated power; (v) bidirectional inverter power: [0.45] MVA/MWp (after grid
code compliance verification); and (vi) an annual loss of battery capacity to
be defined with the World Bank and any relevant stakeholders (market practice :
85% in total for the first year);
-
The Consultant will carry out different sensitivity’s scenario
analysis, to be agreed with the World Bank and with the contribution of the IPP
Unit and STEG. Suggested sensitivities are: 1-minute smoothing of [2]% x
Pnom/Pmin; a smoothing of [5]% x Pnom/Pmin, a battery sizing capacity different
from [1]MWp / [0.5] MWh of BESS. All sensitivities will be approved upstream.
The Consultant must include in his bid at least 5 sensitivities additional to
the base scenario.
-
A simulation tool will be developed to repeat the deliverability
calculations of the "photovoltaic plant + storage" couple in the
configurations and sensitivity cases to be defined, taking into account the
three functions of peak shaving, peak offset and smoothing by one-minute time
steps over a year.
-
The simulations carried out in the different cases will allow
calculation of the energy actually injected during peak and off-peak hours, and
to verify that the various services can be provided by the storage system
during the entire project lifetime (25 years), such as clipping, smoothing and
peak displacement.
-
Load curves should be developed for a typical sunny day, a typical
rainy day, and a typical day for each month. In addition, a monthly analysis
will be developed with the expected amount of production per month, and an
indication of the number of days per year when the solar plant is not
available.
-
The analysis will provide: (i) the maximum number of MW to be
injected into the grid, depending on the final design of the BESS and the
availability of the grid (if there are constraints communicated by STEG and
resulting from the feasibility study); (ii) Minimum BESS capacity level in MWh
installed over the service life of the project; (iii) one year availability
ratio of the BESS; (iv) target energy to be distributed in the evening (in
MWh); (v) the number of days that the utility may require the BESS to deliver
the maximum amount of electricity during the evening; (vi) number of days with
limited evening distribution; and (vii) smoothing constraints (2.5 percent or
10 percent, for example).
The Consultant will deliver the
results during a workshop to be organized between the World Bank, the IPP Unit,
STEG and any other relevant stakeholders in Tunisia. This workshop will present
the analysis so that the different stakeholders can discuss the best way to
impose on the bidder an optimal load curve in a contractual manner defined in
the specifications (percentage of daily production, minimum required MWh per
day/year, etc.) at a cost per kWh that remains competitive with the
alternatives.
The World Bank will provide a financial model to assist the
consultant in the financial analysis, as well as a note explaining the
methodology.
Deliverables
for Task 3:
For the simulation of the optimal BESS, the
Consultant will have to provide the following deliverables covering the scope
of work described above:
LT4.1: Draft report on the simulation of the
optimal functioning and functionalities of the BESS as well as sensitivities
(5)
TL4.2: Stakeholder workshop report
TL4.3: Power Point presentation of final report
with main results
LT4.4: Software, code and any tools used to run the
simulations and sensitivities + one week of training on the software.
iv.
Task 4:
Site Assessment
For the
site proposed by the MIME, the Consultant must evaluate the quality of the
existing studies and validate site selection. The Consultant will
collect and review all available relevant data to assess its suitability for
the development of the project. The
analysis should include, and not limited to, the following data :
·
Topography, soil conditions and flatness/complexity and access to
land, land use, vegetation (presence of olive trees) vocation and land tenure
(Ministry in charge of Agriculture);
·
Climatic conditions and aggressiveness of the climate (corrosion,
etc.);
·
Flood risks, flood protection/drainage system required/development
feasible;
·
Erosion, dust and sand;
·
Impact on soil and groundwater;
·
Geotechnical suitability and soil stability for foundations and
structures;
·
Environmental and social impacts;
·
Access to the transport network, distance from airports and need
for a glare study if necessary;
·
Access to telecommunications infrastructure;
·
Access to electricity during construction;
·
Access to water supply;
·
Logistical access for the supply of equipment (road transport from
ports, roads to be built and/or modified as appropriate);
·
Any other site-specific conditions, such as mutual impact of
neighboring power plants during construction and operation.
Based on the
data collected and site visit, the Consultant will provide a site assessment,
in order to assess and confirm the suitability of the site for the development
of the project.
1-
In addition, the Consultant will
prepare the terms of reference for all the studies required for the development
of the project (not to extend, technical, financial, topographic , geotechnical
,logistical, as well as the environmental and social aspects). The Consultant
is not requested to conduct these studies.
2- The analysis carried out as part of the consultation
should be sufficiently detailed to inform the preparation of Minimum Functional
Specifications ("MFS") to be provided to bidders at the bidding stage
of targeted projects to prepare their technical proposals.
Deliverables
for Task 4:
The Consultant will be required to provide the
following deliverables covering the scope of work described above:
TL4.1: Site assessment
report as detailed above.
TL4.2: Power Point
presentation and Word synthesis of the preliminary site assessment report.
v.
Task 5: Technical Analysis
The
Consultant will recommend the optimal configuration for the project (" Recommended
Plant Configurations ") with a detailed justification and underlying
calculations. The objective of this technical analysis is to determine the Minimum
Technical Requirements (“MTR”) that the IPPs must comply with, and to clarify
the main terms and conditions of the future PPA to be signed with the selected
IPPs (e.g. in terms of non-delivered electricity, frequency control, reactive
power supply, etc.). Tasks 2 and 6 can be done jointly but should be informed
by tasks 3 and 5.
The recommended plant configurations
should be those configurations that optimize the capacity factor and LCOE
taking into account the net load profile on the grid. To this end, the analysis
shall take into account at least the following criteria:
§
Capital and O&M Costs
§
Capacity Factor
§ Levelized
Cost of Electricity (LCOE)
§
Performance & Availability
§
Land Use and Water Use
§
Storage Options
§
Reduction of energy waste
§
Technical Risks
§
Bankability and Localization Potential
This analysis should take into account the following:
-
The solution for the optimal connection of the Plant to the
National Grid, taking into account the most optimal electrical design
scenario(s) of the Plant. The Consultant will provide a preliminary design for
the optimal connection solution and estimate all associated costs, including
connection fees, network improvements, new transformers/substations to be
constructed, installation of new lines, etc. If network upgrades and
improvements are to be undertaken by the utility, the consultant will determine
the scope and cost of the necessary upgrades.
-
Energy Needs Analysis (determination of electrical energy
requirements during construction and operation phases)
-
Water Requirements Analysis (assessment of water requirements for
plant construction and operation)
-
Site planning (identification of possible constraints related to
recommended plant configurations)
Deliverables
of Task 5 covering the scope of work
described above
The consultant will be
expected to provide the following deliverables:
LT5.1: Technical analysis
report including the elements described above
LT5.2: Executable files for
all scenarios studied as well as recommended configurations.
TL5.3: Hourly production of
recommended plant configurations
TL5.4: Site development
(including diagram of proposed grid connection points), if any
LT5.5: Power Point
presentation of final report
vi.
Task 6: Grid
Impact Assessment
The Consultant will carry out a grid impact assessment of the
Plant taking into account STEG's connection conditions and grid code, if any.
Therefore, the consultant will need to work with the utility to (i) conduct a grid
impact assessment to determine whether the grid can accept the recommended configurations
at the approved connection point and (ii) assess the impact of each recommended
configuration on the grid. The Consultant will take into account the Energy
Resource Variability (ERV) integration study and the grid study carried out for
the Solar Project by STEG.
The grid impact assessment of the plant should include the impact
of the recommended plant configuration on (i) the power supply to the national
grid taking into account its topology and stability, including but not limited
to network operations and losses. On this basis, the Consultant will define the
technical constraints to which the plant must comply and the associated
mitigation measures to be included in the technical specifications(NB : a grid code
is currently being developed but is not yet available).
For this task, the Consultant will prepare and present to the
Client: (i) an exhaustive list of all the data and information necessary for
this study; (ii) the proposed methodology; (iii) and the associated
deliverables. The consultant should schedule two weeks to collect this data.
Unless otherwise agreed, a physical meeting will be scheduled by the Consultant
to present all these items to the Client.
To conduct the grid impact assessment of the plant, the Consultant
will have to take into consideration at least the following aspects, as
appropriate:
-
Key characteristics of the network, such as structure, voltage and
frequency stability, voltage levels, etc.
-
The internal electrical configuration of the plant, including
transformers.
-
The electrical characteristics of the components of the plant.
-
The grid connection configuration of the plant.
-
The operation of the installation (up to the nominal capacity) and
the related reactive power requirements.
-
The operating conditions of the installation (start-up, low load,
etc.).
-
Safe and secure operating conditions of the plant.
-
Undervalued energy considering grid boundaries and operating
conditions.
The grid impact assessment
should cover at least the following aspects, but not limited to:
- Voltage variations in
connection substations.
- Amplitudes and limit values
of flickers, harmonics and any disturbances that could be generated by the
installation.
- Impact on the national grid
protection plan.
- Participation of the
installation in electrical faults (single-phase or multi-phase) that
affect the network.
- The capability of the Plant
to operate under normal conditions of voltage and frequency of the
national grid.
- The capacity of the plant to
operate when the mains voltage reaches exceptional values over a limited
period of time (maintaining voltage).
- Rapid voltage fluctuations
(flickers).
- Generation of harmonics.
- Rate of imbalance.
- Any event that may occur
during the coupling or decoupling of the plant from the national grid.
After having analyzed these parameters, the Consultant will
identify appropriate measures and applicable standards adapted to the power
plants in order to meet the requirements of the utility to avoid negative
impact on the national grid and the grid code. The Consultant will also
identify appropriate devices and equipment to protect the national grid from
any disturbance that the plant may generate.
The Consultant will develop models to assess the impact of the
plant on the grid and to evaluate the load flow, short-circuit current and
power calculations as well as the dynamic stability taking into account the
specific parameters of the interconnection, the local network and the plants.
In addition, the Consultant will identify the mitigation measures
related to each aspect to ensure that the simulation results will comply with
the operating conditions of the national grid as well as with international
standards recommended by the Consultant.
The Consultant should include the following elements in the grid impact
assessment report:
- A static model of the plant
(load flow calculation) showing how each plant is represented (PV node,
PQ, etc.).
- A power plant model allowing
the calculation of default currents (direct, negative and zero impedances
to be considered)
- A dynamic model of the plant
with PSS/E software to be provided with a document describing the
different components of the model and the values of the main parameters.
The Consultant will use the PSS/E version used by the utility (the version
of the model must be agreed upon before starting the simulations).
The
recommended plant configurations should be revised as necessary to reflect the
analysis of the grid impact assessment. The Consultant shall revise, in
agreement with the Client, the capacity of the Plant approved in Task 2 and
recommend the optimized capacity and annual energy production for the Plant.
Deliverables of Task 6 covering the scope of work described above
The consultant will be expected to provide the
following deliverables:
TL6.1: Network impact assessment report including
data used, calculations, simulations, results and corresponding
recommendations.
LT6.2: Update of the PSS/E file including the
modeling of the plant.
TL6.3: Power Point presentation of the final version
of the Report.
vii.
Task 7:
Economic and Financial Analysis
Taking into account the analyses carried out in the previous
tasks, the Consultant will provide an economic and financial analysis
evaluating LCOE and LCOS for the recommended plant configuration.
The consultant will estimate the energy production projection
(based on P50, P75 and P90) and detail the capital cost estimates and the
operation and maintenance cost estimates providing all assumptions.
The Consultant will perform sensitivity analyses on the CAPEX,
OPEX and energy production projections.
Deliverables of Task 7 covering the scope of work described above
The consultant will be
expected to provide the following deliverables:
TL7.1: Economic and
Financial Analysis Report including, among other things:
-
Detailed list of
assumptions and respective results (CAPEX, OPEX, LCOE etc.)
-
Detailed breakdown of CAPEX
and OPEX
-
Sensibility analysis.
TL7.2: Power Point presentation of the final report
viii.
Task 8: Final Engineering study
report
The Consultant will prepare a final engineering
study report ("Final Engineering Study Report" or "Final
Report”) consolidating all analyses and conclusions carried out under tasks
1-6 above and addressing any comments raised by the Client. The Consultant will
provide the final draft report to the Client for review prior to finalization.
The final report will be a comprehensive
report of the work carried out to complete all the tasks defined in this
technical assistance mission and will include a summary. Each assignment will
be a separate chapter in the final report.
Deliverables
for Task 8
As part of this task, the
Consultant is expected to deliver the following deliverables covering the
scope of work described above:
TL8.1: Final report including all the
previous tasks of the technical assistance mission.
TL8.2: Technical study synthesis
report.
TL8.3: Power Point presentation of
final report
D/ Indicative
timeline
The table
below provides applicants with an indicative timeline for the assignment
covered by these Terms of Reference.
Deliverables of the mission
Timing
Service
Request
Q0
·
Task 1: Kick-oFF, Data
Collection and capacity building
T0 + 2 weeks
·
Task 2: Analysis of the
state-of-the art and proposal of technological scenarios
T0 + 4 weeks
·
Task 3: Simulation of the
optimal operation and functionalities of the BESS
T0 + 10 weeks
·
Task 4: Site assessment
T0 + 12 weeks
·
Task 5: Technical Analysis
T0 + 14 weeks
- Task 6: Grid Impact Assessment
T0 + 16 weeks
- Task 7: Economic and Financial
Analysis
T0 + 18 weeks
- Task 8: Final Engineering study
T0 + 22 weeks
T0 + 23 weeks
A detailed schedule will be provided by the Consultant in
accordance with the tasks detailed in the TOR.
E/
Qualifications of Consultants
The Consultant
must have relevant experience in technical studies in the renewable energy
sector and must be able to showcase their expertise to undertake the assignment
by demonstrating a track record of successful management and implementation of
similar studies of comparable complexity.
The Consultant must demonstrate that it has the expertise required to
undertake this Assignment and fully appreciates the requirements of this TOR.
The Consultant will include technical and financial experts to meet the
terms of reference listed above and should have experience in conducting similar
studies. A core member of the consortium will be appointed by the consultant to
be the primary point of contact with the client. The core member of the
consortium will be responsible for managing the smooth progress of the various
tasks and organizing the various experts as necessary.
The Consultant shall include in the bid the organization of at least
one meeting per two weeks with the physical presence of the local consultant
and at least the virtual presence of the international expert to discuss the
state of progress and the acquisition of the necessary data for the study. A
workshop with the physical presence of the main experts within the team shall
be organized after the delivery of each deliverable to consult with the
steering committee of the project and get their comments and a minute of
meetings would be submitted to the Bank. The Bank will oversee the initial
introduction of the consultants to the stakeholders and then the local
consultant will oversee the data acquisition from the client. No deliverables
will be transferred to the client before prior approval by the Bank.
The Consultant's staff will include the following key senior staff:
-
A
project manager with
extensive global experience in diagnostic and planning of shipments in complex
and weak networks as well as extensive experience in the MENA region, with a
minimum of 20 years of total experience with at least two experiences in (solar
+ battery) IPP project.
-
Senior
Financial and Economic Specialist: With
at least 15 years of experience in developing solar projects and elaborating
feasibility studies for solar projects. Strong Expertise in economic and
financial analysis, including calculating CAPEX, OPEX, LCOE, and LCOS.
-
A
Senior Solar Engineer: At
least 15 years of experience in developing solar projects.
-
A
battery storage expert with
more than 5 years of experience in hybrid projects (solar + battery).
-
A
dispatch/grid expert with
10 years of experience in dispatch and solar project analyses.
-
A
geotechnical expert who
will validate all the information about the site and ensure its suitability
(task 4).
-
A
local RE expert.
At least 15 years in RE sector in Tunisia.
-
A
local Grid connection expert:
At least 15 years of experience in electricity sector and deep knowledge of
grid connection projects in Tunisia.
The Consultant will also have to
spend a significant amount of time in Tunisia, especially for the various tasks
mentioned in the TOR (workshops, training, site visits, etc.). The Consultant
will be fully responsible for collecting the data necessary for the performance
of the services.
The World Bank can help the
consultant to facilitate interactions with key stakeholders for data collection
as needed. The Consultant will be responsible for his/her own logistics.
Internal coordination of the consultant is the sole responsibility of the core
consortium member.
The Consultant's team must be
fluent in French and deliverables must be in French with executive summary in both
English and French.
At the end of the mission the
consultant must prepare a presentation in English summarizing all the results
of all the deliverables.
It may be necessary to sign a
non-disclosure agreement (NDA) to access certain information from the key
actors who should be engaged in this mission.
All deliverables must be submitted
to the World Bank in an electronic format suitable for online publication
unless otherwise specified. If the World Bank decides to print one of the
outputs, this will be ordered outside of this contract.
