Energy policy development

The GOCR"s Executive Secretariat of Energy Sectorial Planning (SEPSE) will implement the project with support from the National Planning Office and the assistance of a project advisor to be provided by the contractor. To improve energy sector management in Costa Rica, SEPSE"s staff will be augmented with personnel including an electrical engineer and an economist from other energy agencies (including an electrical engineer and an economist) and a project-provided energy specialist. SEPSE will be responsibile for developing a national energy plan, based on various project-supported studies. The underutilized Energy Sector Technical Committee, chaired by the Director of SEPSE, will have its role strengthened as it will, with SPSE staff support, serve to coordinate energy sector institutions and review energy proposals. The design of a national energy plan will require detailed prefeasibility studies of specific energy options. First, existing energy data will be reviewed so that SEPSE can determine research needs and propose research topics for project funding. At least five prefeasibility studies and planning analyses will be funded. Studies of conventional fuels, hydroelectric power, energy conservation, and nonconventional fuels have been proposed, as well as a study to develop annual operating plans for the energy sector. SEPSE"s need for better information on energy technologies will be addressed by the creation of a documentation center to collect and organize energy-related materials. The utility of a computerized information system will be examined and a study will be conducted to determine the feasibility of creating an energy research center. The project will also fund various types of short-term training for GOCR personnel and those from private energy institutions. A.I.D. training programs will be utilized as much as possible, with local seminars and/or workshops also being provided. Exchange programs will be implemented for key GOCR energy planners.