Evaluation of Sudan energy policy and planning project (SEPAP)

Final special evaluation covers the period 1/81-3/84 and is based on document review, site visits, and interviews with A.I.D., GOS, contractor, and other project-related personnel. The project was a resounding success. The NEA, barely existent prior to the project, was established as a viable GOS energy planning and policy development unit and organizational reforms were instigated within the National Electricity Corporation and the General Petroleum Corporation as a result of project activities. Interinstitutional linkages (e.g., committees to study specific energy issues) were developed among government, private sector, academic, and other energy-related entities. Although training was given lower priority than the energy assessment, NEA staff skills in data collection/analysis and planning were upgraded through on-the-job and classroom courses (for an unspecified number of personnel) and U.S. Master's programs for three; additional training was provided through the U.S. Department of Energy's Petroleum Training Program. The National Energy Assessment was completed, providing baseline data for the National Energy Plan (currently under development as part of the follow-on Energy Planning and Management Project) and identifying key issues for policy analysis. The latter included: petroleum and electricity supply, allocation, pricing, and investment; renewable resource commercialization; and foreign exchange availability. The project was influential in effecting energy policy changes in pricing, allocation, investment, and demand management strategies (especially in the petroleum and electricity sectors); it also effectively argued the merits of the price mechanism for allocating scarce resources. Project success was due largely to strong A.I.D., GOS, and contractor commitment. Although project management and quality control could have been tighter and the NEA should have been given more project input, the TA staff collaborated well with their counterparts and were especially effective in institution building.