Natural Gas Development Project

Expression of interest – hard copy of the WEB site EoI

Project data

Project number: AOTA: AFG 37085-01
Project name: Natural Gas Development Project
Project country: Afghanistan

Details about our firms

Name of leading firm: SOFRECO
ADB-DACON N°: 000780
Contact person: Mr Corentin Scrive
Title: Project Manager
E-mail: chim@sofreco.com
Firm’s address: 92-98 Bld Victor Hugo – 92115 Clichy Cedex - France
Telephone: + 33 1 41 27 95 95
Fax N°: + 33 1 41 27 95 96
Name of associated firm: Afghan Toll, Afghanistan
Afghan Govt Reg N°: I-10486

E-mail: afghantoll@yahoo.com
Firm’s address: House No. 48 , Karte Ariana, Kabul, Afghanistan
Telephone: +93 79 9010128 & +93 70 087234


Information related to this Expression of Interest
C.0. Introduction – advantages of the proposed association
This expression of interest is presented by two firms featuring strong complementary skills:
SOFRECO, an independent French consulting company, has an extensive experience in project management, capacity building with various government-related institutions and authorities, excellent knowledge of the power sector and an on-going experience in Central and South Asia;
Afghan Toll (Afghanistan) is a multi-disciplinary professional consulting firm working with the goal of facilitating community and social development through management and implementation of a wide range of projects all over the country.
These complementary areas of expertise will enable our association to provide hands-on advice, while ensuring a high quality of the assignment supervision from the headquarters of our companies.

C.1. Summary of Similar Projects Undertaken
C.1.1 Summary of Similar Projects Undertaken by SOFRECO
BANGLADESH, 2005-2006: Promoting Private Sector Participation in Gas Sector
Client: Government of Bangladesh
Financing: Asian Development Bank
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 10
Detailed examination of sector structure, unbundling of transmission and distribution companies, and investment planning were undertaken to meet the reform objectives and to facilitate greater private sector participation for sustainable development of the gas sector.
The project addresses issues constraining sector development through continuing policy reform, institutional restructuring and priority investments that would facilitate private sector participation. The projects helps the government by promoting private sector participation and assuring sustainable development in the gas sector in the following ways:
Assessing the adequacy of the existing policy and regulatory framework for private-sector participation in the gas sector. This assessment includes recommendations for improvement and suggestions for better enforcement of the framework
Examining the corporate structure of gas sector entities and preparing a corporate strengthening plan. Developing policies and procedures for gas companies that reflect recent developments in corporate governance arrangements in more developed countries.
Analyzing gas transmission and distribution pricing framework to evaluate how these prices are reflecting the size of the pipeline, volume of gas transported, distance or length of pipelines, and return on investment. Developing recommendations for adequate pricing framework for these business segments.
Examining unbundling options for gas transmission and distribution entities, identifying major issues to be addressed, and defining steps to achieve this unbundling.
Designing an investment package covering transmission and distribution business segments of gas sector that would facilitate additional private-sector investment.

TAJIKISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN, 2005: Regional Gas Transmission Improvement Project
Client: Asian Development Bank
Financing: Asian Development Bank
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 1
The ADB is currently preparing financial assistance for the rehabilitation of 30% of a 79km gas transmission pipeline from the border of Tajikistan with Uzbekistan to Dushanbe. Until now, gas sale volumes and prices have been negotiated and agreed by the governments of Uzbekistan and Tajikistan on an annual basis. To make the proposed project profitable, a long-term gas sale/purchase contract agreeable to both the governments of Tajiksistan and Uzbekistan needs to be developed. Assistance provided was:
Review the contractual and other agreements governing the supply of natural gas by Uzbekistan to Tajikistan;
Review the status of supply of gas and of due payments in accordance with these agreements over the last 3 years;
Discuss with the purchaser of the gas, Tajikgas: (1) the present quantity, quality and continuity of gas supplied by Uzbekisant to Tajikistan; (2) its views with regard to the contractual and commercial aspects of the gas supplies; (3) its plans for securing further gas supplies from Uzbekistan in the future;
Assess the incremental gas supplies that will need to be made available by Uzbekistan to Tajikistan over the next ten years;
Discuss with the supplier, Uzbekneftegas, its views with regard to the contractual and commercial aspects of present and increased gas supplies to Tajikistan and identify any conditions demanded by it for such increase in gas supplies;
Determine the parameters with regard to quantity, pressure, quality and pricing that should be part of a gas sale/purchase agreement between Uzbekneftegas and Tajikgas;
Prepare a Heads of Agreement for the supply/purchase of gas and discuss this with Uzbekneftegas and Tajikgas to reach agreement on a final version;
Prepare a draft gas sale and purchase agreement based on the agreed Heads of Agreement;
Prepare a final report on findings.

KAZAKHStan, 2004-2005: Network infrastructure regulatory development
Client: EBRD and the Agency for Regulation of Natural Monopolies (AREM)
Financing: EBRD
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 49
Assistance to the Agency for Regulation of Natural Monopolies (AREM) in:
Identifying and implementing a regulation framework for relevant network infrastructure conducive to economic efficiency and increased private investments:
Review of the oil and gas sector and implementation of recommendations,
Review of the power and heat sector and implementation of recommendations,
Review of the telecommunications sector and implementation of recommendations,
Review of the rail transport sector and implementation of recommendations,
Review of the institutional basis and organisation capacity of the AREM and implementation of recommendations
Implementing a cost-based tariff structure in the sectors covered by the project;
Implementing organisational and institutional modifications, and ;
Providing on-going advice, support and training on network infrastructure regulation practices, in line with the best international practices.
JORDAN, 2004-2006: Consulting services for improving the Jordan Petroleum Refining Company (JPRC) performance
Client: JPRC
Financing: JPRC
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 23
The project aims to prepare the company for the transition period towards an open market and the post concession period by enabling it to face competition, and through implementing measures that improve efficiency.
Part 1: Diagnosis
Review and benchmark of the company activity;
Legal due diligence of the statutory and legal framework of the company’s activity;
Review and evaluation of all previous work done for the company in relation to its organization;
Part 2: Performance Improvement Plan
Development of proposals for a new organizational structure which better meets needs for the future and takes into account best practice;
Development of administrative, financial, accounting and technical work procedures to cover all existing plant activities and allowing for the proposed future expansion and computerization;
Development of individual and common suitable standards to measure the productivity and performance of the company on three levels: (1) the individual employee, (2) each department, (3) the company as a unit;
Development of a programme to improve the plant performance in terms of throughput, availability, cost base and product quality;
Propose improvements in the company’s contractual framework regarding crude oil purchase;
Proposal of reorientation of the marketing and distribution strategy.
Part 3: Implementation Services
Supervision of the performance improvements plan’s implementation;
Provision of additional expertise, including process and project organisation management.

BHUTAN, 2004-2005: Capacity Building of the Bhutan Electricity Regulatory Authority
Client: Department of Energy
Financing: Asian Development Bank
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 10
Support to the institutional strengthening of the newly created but not yet operational Bhutan Electricity Regulatory Authority (BEA) and the capacity building of its staff as a foundation for the BEA to become an effective power sector regulator. The services provided are:
Analysis of the scope of functions and mandates of a regulatory body for the power sector in Bhutan;
Design of the optimal institutional structure of the sector;
Design of the optimal organisational structure of BEA;
Needs assessment of BEA’s institutional requirements;
Development of a short and medium-term training programme;
Assistance to the BEA in developing the national standards and codes for the sector;
Design and implementation of a national outreach strategy to raise consumer awareness of the BEA and its role as the sector’s regulator;
Review and recommendations on the possibility of establishing a combined national regulatory body that would regulate public utilities.

Papua New Guinea, 2002 - 2003: Regulatory and institutional analysis in the oil and gas sector.
Client: Department of Petroleum and Energy
Financing: World Bank – IBRD
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 5.85
Development of the institutional arrangements necessary to the transformation of the Petroleum Division into a Statutory Agency of the Government, an organisation of excellence responsible for the management, regulation and monitoring of the petroleum industry in PNG. The services provided were:
Review of existing arrangements:
Analysis of the missions, functions and tasks of the Petroleum Division;
Assessment of the missions, functions and tasks of the Petroleum Division.
Analysis of available options;
Identification and analysis of required services;
Recommendations for restructuring the division.
Definition of the best application:
Design of operational models;
Design of the staffing structure;
Design of funding schemes.

NEPAL, 2004-2009: Technical assistance for the Renewable Energy Project
Client: His Majesty’s Government of Nepal
Financing: European Union
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 1279
The four overall objectives of the project are to, by means of solar electrification and provision of services inherently linked to solar energy utilization:
alleviate poverty in remote areas and regions that have not benefited from the Government’s development policy;
accelerate the democratization and decentralization process;
assist remote communities, local officials, and non-governmental organizations in developing a rural economy;
mitigate negative impacts of energy consumption on the environment and local health.
These objectives are to be reached by the following means:
Capacity Building;
Launch of an Awareness Campaign;
Development of a Financing Strategy;
Social Mobilisation;
Developing Quality Insurance Schemes;
Procurement of Hardware, Installation and Maintenance services.


LITHUANIA, 2003-2004: Improving industrial energy efficiency
Client: Ministry of Energy
Financing: European Union – PHARE
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 12
Increase competitiveness in industry through energy efficient production by:
promoting energy management by way of energy auditing, reductions in energy consumption and energy efficiency;
developing and implementing a training programme for industrial managers;
further developing the training of energy auditors at the Energy Efficiency Centre; and
developing and implementing a system of voluntary certification for energy auditors.
These objectives are made through the following tasks:
Seminar on energy efficiency in industry as a basis for further actions in awareness building among industry representatives, the definition of future training programmes and the establishment of a communication framework;
Demonstration of energy management in 3 industries to provide information and training to the staff of the EEC;
Development and implementation of a training programme for the energy managers of various industrial companies and senior staff who might become Energy Managers within their home companies;
Further development of the training of energy auditors with a view to certifying them;
Development and start of a system of voluntary certification for energy auditors;
Development of an awareness campaign promoting energy management, energy efficiency and cleaner technology in the industrial sector;
Recommendations for the Lithuanian Government to provide a description of future measures to be taken in order to further promote the most adapted technical and organisational tools and methods and to foster the financing of energy savings investments from domestic sources;
Listing and purchase of equipment according to Phare, Ispa and Sapard rules.


BHUTAN, 1998-2004: Support Project for the Development of Renewable Natural Resources
Client: Ministry of Agriculture
Financing: European Union
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 150
This project was aiming to provide a technical assistance on an extension support project to identify and promote production techniques respectful of renewable natural resources with the following services:
Support to extension services:
Formulation and implementation of an extension programme (technical itineraries, use of supplies, natural resources management, post-harvest techniques, farm management, et.);
Definition of procedures to help in implementing decentralised actions;
Support in strengthening the role of extension services in the development and promotion of innovations.
Promotion among farmers of management techniques respectful of natural resources:
Development, together with research, of rational production techniques;
Identification of growing techniques which might offer solutions in the fight against erosion;
Elaboration and promotion of counsel in terms of stocking and processing produce, marketing, etc.
Elaboration and implementation of the monitoring and evaluation part of the project.


Uzbekistan, 1999-2000: Strategy Development to Improve the Fertiliser and Chemical Sectors and the Energy Efficiency of Companies in the Chemical Industry
Client: Association Uzkhimprom (Ministry of Chemical Industry of Uzbekistan)
Financing: European Union - TACIS
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 53
The project was to assist in rationalising the downstream chemical sector, taking into account not only economic developments in Uzbekistan but also the state and development potential of this sector in other NIS countries. The chemical sector includes several nitrogen fertilizer complexes (ammonia, urea, ammonium nitrate) and phosphatic fertilizer complexes. The services provided by SOFRECO are:
Review the overall situation of the chemical sector and develop a rational strategy for its future development;
Review the energy usage of the Uzkhimprom companies, in particular the ammonia and urea units;
Review the environmental impact of the sector in general and the impact of its energy usage in particular;
Prepare bankable feasibility studies and other documentation for specific projects aiming to improve efficient energy usage at the Uzkhimprom companies;
Implement a pilot energy management demonstration project;
Ensure the proper transfer of knowledge and technology with a view to long-term sustainability of the solutions proposed and their potential replication in other Uzkhimprom companies.
Provide training and study tours.

TAJIKISTAN, 1996-1997: Advice to the Government and Strategic Planning for the Energy Sector
Client: Ministry of Economy
Financing: European Union – TACIS
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 58
The project sought to help:
Stabilise and then increase energy production, and develop exports to neighbouring countries;
Protect energy production, particularly by encouraging energy savings;
Move towards a market economy at the energy sector management level.
The actual services provided by SOFRECO for this project are:
Strategic planning for the energy sector:
Technical and economic analyses of hydro power potential;
Assessment of the export potential of excess electricity production to neighbouring countries;
Analyses of the remote controlling system and of the data collection and processing system of Dushambe’s dispatching centre;
Study of the possibility of connecting the Northern electric grid with the South Central grid;
Study of the potential for increasing oil and gas production by rehabilitating existing facilities or building new ones;
Assessment of the energy savings which could be made by households and by the industrial sector (the aluminium industry consumes 40% of total production
Study of the potential for the installation of solar energy panels for domestic hot water uses;
Elaboration of a summarised report presenting the recommendations, defining the priorities for implementation and proposing a related schedule, and identifying the main sources of needed financing.
Implementation of a training programme for the decision-makers in the energy sector:
Training of 15 upper-managers in economic and financial analysis of projects, in project management, energy market analysis, pricing, etc.;
Organisation of a study tour to Europe.

SENEGAL, 1994-1998: Technical Assistance to the Enterprise Support Division (CAEE)
Client: CAEE
Financing: French Ministry of Co-operation and Development
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 42
This project seeks to improve the competitiveness of the Senegalese economy by actively promoting private initiative and the creation of an environment adequate to the development of enterprises. The provided services are:
Study of the competitiveness of national sectors of activity and of sectorial policies:
Analysis if the impact of taxes on the national sectors of activity’s competitiveness;
Reform proposals for the system of fiscal incentives;
Organisation of meetings with business people, government officials and financing bodies;
Studies of the construction, fishing, hotel and tourism sectors.
Support to the improvement in the management of enterprises:
Creation of certified management centres for the informal sector;
Publishing of the "Investor’s Guide" and the "Company Starter’s Manual";
Encouragement in developing "quality" approaches;
Organisation of information actions for the managers of small and medium size companies.
Implementation of an information system on the enterprise environment in the UEMOA (West African Economic and Monetary Union) countries.
Training on company management:
Creating / taking over / developing companies;
Analysing projects, strategic planning and performances assessment;
Human resources, organisation and quality management;
Looking for financing, managing credits.


C.2. Summary of Similar Projects Undertaken in the Region
Summary of Similar Projects Undertaken in the Region by Sofreco :
(For full description of the projects please see section C.1)

AFGHANISTAN, 2004-2005: Framework contract - Medium term livestock policy and strategy advisor
Client: Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Husbandry
Financing: European Union
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 10
BANGLADESH, 2005-2006: Promoting Private Sector Participation in Gas Sector
Client: Government of Bangladesh
Financing: Asian Development Bank
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 10
TAJIKISTAN AND UZBEKISTAN, 2005: Regional Gas Transmission Improvement Project
Client: Asian Development Bank
Financing: Asian Development Bank
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 1
Uzbekistan, 1999-2000: Strategy Development to Improve the Fertiliser and Chemical Sectors and the Energy Efficiency of Companies in the Chemical Industry
Client: Association Uzkhimprom (Ministry of Chemical Industry of Uzbekistan)
Financing: European Union - TACIS
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 53
TAJIKISTAN, 1996-1997: Advice to the Government and Strategic Planning for the Energy Sector
Client: Ministry of Economy
Financing: European Union – TACIS
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 58
KAZAKHStan, 2004-2005: Network infrastructure regulatory development
Client: EBRD and the Agency for Regulation of Natural Monopolies (AREM)
Financing: EBRD
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 49
BHUTAN, 2004-2005: Capacity Building of the Bhutan Electricity Regulatiry Authority
Client: Department of Energy
Financing: Asian Development Bank
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 10
NEPAL, 2004-2009: Technical assistance for the Renewable Energy Project
Client: His Majesty’s Government of Nepal
Financing: European Union
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 1279
BHUTAN, 1998-2004: Support Project for the Development of Renewable Natural Resources
Client: Ministry of Agriculture
Financing: European Union
N° of Staff-months by SOFRECO: 150



C.3. Other information
C.3.1. Presentation of SOFRECO
SOFRECO, established in 1976, is one of the leading French consulting firms providing technical assistance in transition, emerging and developing countries through projects financed by major multilateral (World Bank, European Union), regional (ADB, African Development Bank, EBRD) and bilateral institutions (Agence Française de Développement, French Ministry of Cooperation, etc.).
The firm, and its affiliate Conseil Santé, provide consulting services in the following fields:

Energy, Mining and Industrial Environment: oil and gas, energy planning and sector studies, energy saving in industry, electricity, chemical processes engineering and supervision, institutional support and environmental management in the mining sector, waste management, industrial pollution abatement, fertilisers production.
Economics and Public Management: macroeconomic and sector studies, public finance management; institutional strengthening, administrative organisation, public investment programs, project preparation funds; aid programs management, etc.
Agriculture and Rural Development: sector studies, integrated rural development, rural credit systems, rural environment, irrigation, forestry, management of natural resources, etc.
Private sector support: sector studies, organization, evaluation and restructuring of enterprises, privatization, engineering and energy efficiency studies in agro-industries.
Health and pharmaceutical sectors: from evaluation of primary health care services to policy advice for the health sector to financing of the health sector; indexing of patents, technological alert, drug policy.
Around 120 staff are currently working in SOFRECO, including about 50 professionals at the headquarters in Paris. More than 200 associate experts are bringing their skills to SOFRECO on regular basis, and since its creation, almost 1000 experts have worked for SOFRECO.
SOFRECO has undertaken more than 100 contracts, in 125 countries, including technical assistance, feasibility studies, project appraisals and evaluations, etc. The Energy, Industrial Environment and Mining Department is currently managing 20 projects, 5 out of them are in the range from USD 2 to 5 million.
SOFRECO has a good track record regarding the elaboration of energy sector reform and strategies. It has carried out many market and strategic studies, as well as studies in power sector project preparation. It provides also expertise in sector-related studies regarding improvement of the energy utilities in their commercial, corporate and industrial management. SOFRECO has also taken part in interim management of a power utility.
SOFRECO has an experience in Central and South Asia. Besides Oil & Gas sector capacity building and numerous studies for IPP and T&D projects, (presented in the references section), we have implemented four other projects, dealing with restructuring in the agricultural and agro-industrial sectors.

C.3.2 Presentation of Afghan Toll
Afghan Toll (Afghanistan) is a multi-disciplinary professional consulting firm working with the goal of facilitating community and social development through management and implementation of a wide range of projects all over the country.
Afghan Toll’s President, Agha Humayun Amin is the former Vice President of ICA (International Consultants for Afghanistan) and RDA (Reconstruction and Development Association).
Since its creation, Afghan Toll has been striving to bring a unique perspective and understanding to the issues faced by the developing nation.
Afghan Toll and its sister company MHCC are currently providing services in engineering, construction, market research, legal advice in Afghanistan and neighbouring regions.

C.3.3 Indicative list of experts of SOFRECO

Robert GRABHAM – Gas sector development Expert
Robert GRABHAM is a senior gas sector expert and currently SOFRECO’s Team Leader on ADB’s project "Promoting Private Sector Participation in Gas Sector" in Bangladesh. Robert GRABHAM has been working on several major assignments as:
Russian Federation, Project Manager to forecast revenues for all power stations in Russia for valuation purposes as part of the privatisation process. The work included projecting natural gas and coal prices, which are the major determinants of electricity prices.
Azerbaijan, Project Director for assistance to the Government of Azerbaijan to develop a Natural Gas Strategy, including industry structure, regulatory arrangements and tariff reform to enable award of Gas Distribution Concession Contracts
Indonesia, Team Leader for Asian Development Bank assistance to implement a regulatory framework for the gas industry. This included leading the consultation process for the development of a Natural Gas Policy and producing the first "draft for discussion" of a Petroleum Policy covering oil and gas.
Indonesia, Team Leader for Asian Development Bank assistance to design a regulatory framework for the gas sector in Indonesia in order to attract private sector investment in major gas transmission projects.
India, Project Manager for Asian Development Bank assistance to develop a regulatory framework for the gas industry in India - including proposed tariff arrangements for the key HBJ Pipeline.
Turkmenistan, 1992/93. Pre-Feasibility Study for the Turkmenistan-Turkey-Europe Gas Export Pipeline. Determined methodology and led elements of the Study addressing: European gas market projections; identifying contractual and exchange arrangements; tariff and netback calculations; and the availability of finance.

Didier LEGROS – Gas sector Expert
Didier LEGROS has been undertaking strategy and management consulting assignments for large energy companies, traders, utilities, and advising clients through the process of energy market liberalisation. He has thorough expertise in:
Oil and gas: Exploration operations, Field development, Reservoir evaluation, Production operations, Crude oil marketing, Gas marketing
Network infrastructure development and management, Customer relationship management
Business management and administration, Change Management, Strategic planning, Market assessment
Operating company management,
Project evaluation, business assessment, market studies,
Didier LEGROS has been executive manager of different independent oil producer and distribution companies in the Middle East, Africa and Europe.
Didier LEGROS is currently key expert on ADB’s project "Promoting Private Sector Participation in Gas Sector" in Bangladesh.
Gordon UPTON – Public-Private infrastructure development Advisor
Gordon UPTON is the SOFRECO’s Private investment expert. He has more than 20 years of professional experience in Public-Private infrastructure development, private placement, restructuring & privatization, joint ventures, valuation & financial assessment/feasibility, venture & capital markets, acquisition & divestiture, initial public offering. He holds a MBA Degree in International Finance from Harvard University. He has conducted numerous financial projects in the Energy sector for Private or Institutional organizations. He has a long and wide experience in South Asia. Two projects are given as examples of his experience in the region:
Pakistan: Assisted the Government of Pakistan in defining an implementable taxation policy for new re energy infrastructure projects in the energy sector, taking into account the need to reduce final impact on the private sector.
Sri Lanka: Assisted the Government of Sri Lanka in establishing the Private Sector Infrastructure Development Company designed to help implementing a strategy encouraging private sector in infrastructure projects in the power and other sectors.

Kevin MCCANN – Energy Regulation and Policy Advisor
Kevin MCCANN is the SOFRECO's Energy legislation expert. He has more than 20 years experience in the energy sector. He has a wide knowledge of energy sector regulation and restructuring issues, energy sector finance and investment preparation, energy market, capacity and institution building, privatisation preparation, sector reform, strategy and planning. He holds a MA in International Relations (Dist.) from the University of Kent and a MS of Social Sciences from the University of Birmingham. He has conducted numerous projects funded by the EU programmes (TACIS, PHARE) and ADB (Tajikistan). His latest assignments include a position of restructuring manager in Kosovo (2002 -2004) and a gas market expert in Latvia (2002-2003).

Alain GERTSEN-BRIAND – Power Regulation and Utilities Businesses Advisor
Alain Gertsen-Briand is SOFRECO's power management expert. He has more than 20 years experience in the energy sector. He has conducted numerous energy projects (strategy, economic, financial, legal, marketing evaluation, demand forecast), and specialized in electrical power strategies and regulation and in the study of corporate needs in the energy sector. He holds an MBA degree from the McGill University (Canada), and an engineering degree from Ecole Polytechnique (Montreal, Canada). He started his career in electric power companies (UK and Canada).
His main qualifications, offered to clients in more than 50 projects world-wide, reside in:
Policy and Program formulation for the energy sector.
Organization of an independent natural monopoly regulating authority.
Preparation of training programs and identification for the needs of technology transfer.
Review of the energy sector’s institutional organizations and structures.
Privatization of state owned power utilities.
Training
Independent consultant since 27 years, Alain has worked in an impressive number of projects in the power sector with increasingly high managerial positions. His direct experience with the electric power utilities covers such a wide range of areas as country and regional strategic planning and policy advice at highest management level, business development and planning, market and tariff studies, human resources management, utilities restructuring and privatisation, institutional building, training.
His project-related skills are impressive as well. Alain is an experienced technical assistance project manager. He was twice a TACIS team-leader – in Tajikistan with Sofreco (two above-mentioned projects in the energy sector) and in Russia (assistance to the Federal and Regional Energy Commissions). All these projects were successfully implemented with a high degree of his personal involvement.
His experience with SOFRECO covers as well a recent evaluation of selection of a hydropower plant operator in Mali, and participation in preparation of several project proposals in the power sector. He evaluated as well power plants and energy efficiency projects in operation.

Mr. Frank Braun – specialist in power economics and tariffs
Independent consultant, Franck Braun is specialised in financial planning and financial/economic feasibility evaluation of energy and industrial investments. Since 1988, he has implemented a large number of assignments in financial aspects of energy projects, mainly in Asia and Central and Eastern Europe.
In Asia, his experience includes financial and electricity tariff studies and project management in Indonesia, Thailand, China, Cambodia and all countries of Central Asia. Many of these projects were financed by ADB. In particular, his assignments included tariff analysis and financial/economic analysis of investment projects. Among others:
Socio-economist for power systems rehabilitation project in Cambodia
Expert for tariff study based on long-run marginal costs and tariff reform plan of action for Yunnan Electric Power Corp., Kunming, China
Restructuring and socio-economic expert for Central Asia republics regional power systems modernization project
Tariff expert for Syrdarinskaya power generation rehabilitation project
Financial/economic analyst to rehabilitate generation and distribution facilities of the municipal heating system in Tashkent, Uzbekistan;
Financial analyst for modernization of control system for Georgia electric power dispatching
Financial expert, assisting energy enterprises in Central Asia on economic reform.
Mr. Adrian Twomey Specialist in power sector restructuring
Mr. Adrian Twomey is a highly skilled and has an extensive experience in power sector restructuring, and project management. He has a proven track record of completing difficult projects and in successfully managing to implement changes in organisations where there has been resistance to change. Adrian has acted as resident project manager for major and complex energy projects supported by various international development agencies. His background is an economist with extensive experience of the economic analysis of energy issues, particularly in applying best practice regulation. He has 15 years energy and regulatory related best practice experience.
His regulatory multi-sector work has covered electricity, district heating, natural gas and oil sectors. Particularly relevant to this project, he is currently advising the Regulatory Commission in Macedonia (which is an independent multi-sectoral body) on the development and integration of internationally accepted transmission, distribution use of system and retail tariffs methodologies, other secondary legislation including licenses and authorizations as well as the development of quality regulation across the energy sector. Guidelines and procedures to oversee best practice price and quality regulation have also been developed.
Previously, in 2002-2003, he was the resident project manager for the establishment of an Energy Regulatory Agency in Serbia. The project included three main work streams - an economic work stream recommending best practice regulation and defining the best international practice methodology for pricing of tariffs and rates to be regulated in a future unbundled Serbian energy sector - a legal work stream covering the required secondary legislation to operate the new regulatory agency in compliance with both national laws as well as the legal framework of the EC, and - an organizational and compliance monitoring work stream which provided recommendations concerning the future structure and operational procedures of the new agency as well as monitoring procedures for compliance with license conditions issued by the regulator.
Prior to his rich consultant's career, mostly made with the KPMG group, Adrian was for 6 years working for an energy utility in the UK, at the positions of trading analyst, risk manager and finally the business regulation analyst.

Mr Jean-François BAUER – Energy Economist
Mr Bauer has an engineering degree and a PhD in economics. He has worked for 30 years in the development field with 27 years in the World Bank’s project departments. His experience has led him to work in 40 countries all around the world. With more than 20 years experience in the financial and economic aspects of the power sector, he has acquired extensive knowledge in the restructuring process for energy companies and regulatory institutions.
In India, he has led the reform of state owned Electricity Boards. Components of this project included tariff restructuration, organic reform (production, transportation, distribution) and privatisation, and the institutional building of an independent regulatory agency. This reform, which began in Orissa in 1995, now covers 10 states. These experiences also served the other projects implemented by Mr. Bauer in Russia and Georgia. Jean-François Bauer also possesses excellent experience in the private energy sector and an accurate knowledge of concession modes.





Date: 23 February 2006


Corentin Scrive
Project Manager / SOFRECO