Consulting Services for Distributed Solar Energy Systems in Cape Verde

CONTEXT

The Government of Cabo Verde (GOCV) has launched a long-term effort to reduce generation costs through mobilizing significant financing for upgrading transmission and distribution networks in all major Cabo Verde islands, in order to centralize power generation on each island in more efficient expanded thermal plants, as well as to enable the introduction of variable renewable generation. With this effort, the country was able to achieve a remarkable rate of integration of renewable energy into its electricity generation, which rose from less than 2% in 2010 to nearly 20% in 2014, with peaks of 30%.

Significant progress has already been achieved with regard to utility scale renewable energy. Since 2010, about 28 MW of wind power have been installed in Cabo Verde (the bulk of it installed in the four largest Islands under an independent power producer – IPP arrangement), and 7.5 MW of photovoltaic (in two locations of respectively 5.0 and 2.5 MW). From less than 2% in 2010, renewable generation represents now more than 20% of the utility’s generation mix.

From a legal viewpoint, the GOCV has also been keen to establish a favorable framework for the expansion of renewable energy sources in its energy mix, passing a number of laws and regulations establishing the organizational framework, clarifying the roles of stakeholders and establishing tariff regulatory principles (Decree n.14/2006), and establishing licensing procedures for IPPs and independent producers (Decree n.30/2006). The enabling legislative framework, especially for distributed solar energy, is still under development and shall be a component of the proposed assignment.

OBJECTIVES

The objective of this assignment is to carry out a comprehensive market assessment of the potential for rooftop solar PV market and solar water heaters in Cabo Verde. The outcome of the study is expected to provide a comprehensive picture of the current market and the growth potential for various stakeholders, with the intention of facilitating the development of the market in a sustainable manner.

The assessment will support:

• Policy makers, to improve the policy/implementation framework;
• Suppliers and other service providers, to introduce better quality and more reliable products;
• Encourage new entrants into the market; and

Local banks, to understand the market potential and better design products to promote financing for different customer categories (individual, commercial, social, etc.)

DESCRIPTION

Gesto will review and analyze the existing legal and regulatory framework to understand how conducive the framework is to promote the industry, and will identify any shortcomings in the framework that hinder the growth of the market, and recommend necessary changes.

Gesto  will also review similar international experiences, notably in other islands which have successfully developed a distributed solar industry (Seychelles, Mauritius, Sri Lanka, Fiji, etc.) in order to extract key lessons learnt, focusing on the following aspects:

• Regulatory framework
• Implementation arrangements
• Challenges if any during implementation
• Investment, financing arrangements, payback
• Eventual barriers and measures taken to overcome them

Afterwards, Gesto will conduct a desktop assessment of solar PV rooftop capacity potential. This assessment – using google earth and PV system, combined with interviews- will result in maps and detailed tabular data indicating the amount of capacity and resulting potential generation available in Cabo Verde.

This assessment will enable Gesto to carry out a comprehensive analysis to understand the local environment, potential value added services/after sales services offered, service providers available etc. This review, by Gesto, will also provide the details of the leading vendors/service providers already operating in similar island markets. Besides the obstacles linked to the legal and regulatory framework, Gesto will identify other market failures that hinder the growth of the rooftop solar PV market.

Finally, Gesto will carry out a comprehensive assessment of the potential market. While the current local market is very small, Gesto will carry out an initial analysis to get an understanding of the products/technologies currently available in the market, installation arrangements, services and warranties offered, substitutes available, safety aspects of products and different safety standards followed in comparison with the safety and various other installation standards to be followed in other similar markets. The market potential analysis will enable Gesto to have a better understanding of the investment required for different capacities, therefore Gesto will carry out a detailed economic feasibility/investment analysis of roof top solar PVs.

The project also includes a final stage, where Gesto will discuss with local banks and assess their appetite for financing solar rooftop panels and water heaters, current financing costs & trends, details of institutions that are actively engaged or willing to get engage, etc. As well as, assess their capabilities to lend for such products.

SUMMARY OF SERVICES

• Desktop Review of Regulatory and Policy Framework
• Desktop Review of Solar PV Rooftop Capacity Potential
• Analysis of potential for local installers and international service providers
• Market assessment of rooftop solar market and solar water heaters
• Assessment of local banking market and business models