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NORPLAN provides assistance to the energy sector in Liberia

Through its partner Multiconsult, NORPLAN has established an active portfolio of energy projects in Liberia and was awarded three new contracts in 2010.

Liberia has been seriously affected by civil war and the challenges are formidable. Liberia's capital Monrovia is currently the only area in the country with public power supply and the majority of the population is left without any or with few hours per day of electricity. However, Liberia has substantial hydro power potential and the opportunities for developing renewable energy are good. Over the next years, Norwegian development assistance will provide institutional support, management support to the electricity utility and investments support for rebuilding of the power system.

Ongoing NORPLAN projects in Liberia, financed by Norad, include:

- NORPLAN serves as Technical Advisor (Contracting Officer's Technical Representative) for the Norwegian-funded expansion of distribution network and a new 3 MW diesel power plant in Monrovia.

- NORPLAN has been engaged to assess a phased rehabilitation of the Mt. Coffee hydropower plant.

- NORPLAN will develop a baseline system for measuring the effects and results of the Norwegian energy assistance to Liberia.

Solveig Ulseth, NORPLAN’s team leader in Liberia said, “We are delighted to work on these important projects. Liberia has been experiencing a high electricity demand. These projects will help to meet Liberia’s increasing power demands, whilst reducing its reliance on fossil fuels.”

NORPLAN has established itself as one of the leading advisory experts in the Liberian energy sector. For more information about our projects in Liberia please contact Solveig Ulseth, Natural Resources & Energy division, Solveig.ulseth@norplan.com

NORPLAN consortium awarded large hydropower feasibility study in Ethiopia

NORPLAN is pleased to announce that Ethiopia has awarded the feasibility study for the Mandaya and Beko Abo multipurpose projects, worth NOK 86 million, to the NORPLAN consortium.

The NORPLAN Consortium includes the following partners: NORPLAN, Norconsult, Electricite de France (EDF) and Scott Wilson.

Ove Rusten, Managing Director of, NORPLAN, said “NORPLAN is delighted to have been appointed to perform such an important study, which will help secure sustainable development and access to renewable energy in Ethiopia. The award demonstrates the growing diversity of our expertise and our ability to operate in a highly specialist area of the hydropower market.”

The contract is worth approximately NOK 86 million (€ 11 million) and comprises full feasibility studies of two multipurpose hydropower projects on the Abay River in Ethiopia. Earlier studies have suggested that the Mandaya and Beko Abo sites could be developed to produce 12 100 and 12 600 GWh/year respectively.

The studies will be financed by the Ethiopian Ministry of Water Resources (MOWR) through a grant from the Government of Norway.

The joint venture partners have joined forces with the two Ethiopian sub-consultants Shebelle Consult and Tropics.

For comments and further information, please contact:

Jan Høiseth, Hydropower Section Manager, NORPLAN
Tel.: + 47 92 82 83 75

Ove Rusten, Managing Director, NORPLAN
Tel.: + 47 40 01 67 51

NORPLAN consortium signs contract for the Isimba hydro power project in Uganda

The joint venture partners Fichtner (lead) and NORPLAN signed a contract for a study of a new hydro power project in the Nile River in Uganda. The contract is worth USD 3.8 million (approximately NOK 22 million).

The hydropower station would be located downstream of the 250MW Bujagali project currently under construction, and the project comprises the feasibility study and preparation of tender documents for the Isimba power plant and a transmission line to Bujagali. The study is scheduled for completion towards the end of 2010.

The Isimba power plant is planned to have an installed capacity of at least 100MW. The flow rate at the proposed site ranges between 700m³ to 900m³ per second, and the estimated head is 16 metres.

NORPLAN will provide the following services: design and specification of the dam, geotechnical engineering, mechanical design and specification of the powerstation, electrical design and specification of the powerstation, design and specification of substations, economic and financial analysis as well as input to the environmental and social impact assessment study and resettlement action plan.

The local Ugandan company, Kagga and Partners, will be sub-consultant to the joint venture.

NORPLAN signs consultancy service framework agreement to support SN Power
in the renewables market

NORPLAN AS announced that it has entered into a Framework Agreement with Statkraft Norfund Power Invest AS (SN Power).

NORPLAN will be asked to provide specialist consultancy, engineering and project management services related to SN Power’s investments in the power sector in certain markets in Africa, Asia and Latin America. The framework agreement will run for two years.

“Today’s announcement is further recognition of NORPLAN`s expertise in renewable energy and hydropower” said Ove Rusten, Managing Director of NORPLAN. “Through our specialist expertise, I believe we can make a significant contribution to achieving SN Power’s strategic goal of becoming the leading hydropower company in emerging markets, contributing to economic growth and sustainable development”

For further information: please contact Elisabeth Lokshall or Ove Rusten, at NORPLAN AS at +47 21 58 50 00 or norplan@norplan.com

NORPLAN evaluates potential for large scale, solar power plants.

As a part of the framework agreement for energy sector services, The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (Norad) asked NORPLAN to assess the near future potential of large scale, grid connected PV projects in Africa.

Large-scale PV plants are expected to contribute significantly to the world’s energy needs, socio-economic development and reduction of environmental impacts.

NORPLAN supports Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk in Liberia

NORPLAN has signed an agreement with Nord-Trøndelag Elektrisitetsverk (NTE) regarding consultancy services on the energy sector in Liberia. NORPLAN will advise NTE on the situation in the sector, based on previous assignments and its thorough knowledge of the country.