West Africa Energy Program – CLIN 1 Year 3 Work Plan

The program's primary objectives are to augment the supply of sustainable power, increase new legal end-users to the electric grid, strengthen the performance of national power sector entities, and advance the establishment of an operational regional power market. The program's strategy is centered around four prime objectives. Prime Objective 1 seeks to augment the supply of sustainable power by advancing new generation capacity through the project pipeline. This will be achieved through leveraging the Power Africa Toolbox, providing transaction advisory support to the private sector, and improving generation and transmission planning. Prime Objective 2 aims to increase new legal end-users to the electric grid by optimizing electrification planning, funding and financing solutions for distribution infrastructure, and easing and affordability of end-user connection. Prime Objective 3 focuses on strengthening the performance of national power sector entities by improving the effectiveness of regulators to ensure solvent and reliable power systems. This will be achieved through strengthening regulatory processes, tariff regulation, and performance and financial viability of electric utilities. Prime Objective 4 seeks to advance the establishment of an operational regional power market by building institutional capacity and resilience, mitigating critical hurdles, and advising relevant stakeholders on business models. The program's outcome 1 strategy and year 3 approach include six intermediate results (IRs). IR 1.1 aims to advance new generation capacity through the project pipeline, while IR 1.2 seeks to improve generation and transmission planning. IR 1.3 focuses on improving legal and regulatory frameworks for private sector investment, while IR 1.4 aims to make financing solutions more available. IR 1.5 seeks to strengthen transmission capacity in megawatts, and IR 1.6 focuses on strengthening the social and environmental sustainability of power projects. Outcome 2 strategy and year 3 approach include three IRs. IR 2.1 aims to optimize electrification planning, while IR 2.2 seeks to fund and finance solutions for distribution infrastructure. IR 2.3 focuses on easing and affordability of end-user connection. Outcome 3 strategy and year 3 approach include two IRs. IR 3.1 aims to improve the effectiveness of regulators to ensure solvent and reliable power systems, while IR 3.2 seeks to improve the performance and financial viability of electric utilities. The program's administrative and logistical overview includes program staffing, assumptions, risks, and mitigation measures. The program's assumptions include the availability of funding, the willingness of stakeholders to collaborate, and the effectiveness of the program's interventions. The program's risks include the potential for delays, the lack of stakeholder engagement, and the potential for unintended consequences. The program's geographic focus is West Africa, with a specific emphasis on the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) region. The program's timeframes are from October 1, 2021, to September 30, 2022, with a focus on achieving the program's objectives and outcomes within this timeframe.