Overview

In 2015, parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) reached a landmark agreement to combat climate change and adapt to its effects. Parties to the Paris Agreement (PA) were invited to submit Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) to put forward their best efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to the adverse effects of climate change. Rising recognition of climate change impacts, Mekong countries’ commitments under the Paris Agreement, and rising environmental movements all pose a challenge to the status quo dominance of coal and hydropower. WWF GMP developed the Power Sector Vision for Greater Mekong (GM) countries in 2016. In the business as usual scenario, by 2050 up to 65% of the electricity would be produced with imported energy sources like gas or coal, depending on the country. However in sustainable energy scenarios each Mekong country would produce at least 80 to 90% of its electricity at home, with local sources like wind, biomass or solar in which Myanmar and Lao PDR would become sustainable electricity exporters.

As such WWF GMP together with WWF program offices (Myanmar, Cambodia, Thailand and Laos), under the financial support of MFF, will develop a research on GM countries power grid interconnection toward 100% RE future” to study country electricity markets in the region and identify the challenges and opportunities of power development and transmission integration amongst GM countries to achieve a 100% renewable power system. This will serve as a key policy document to advocate decision-makers in collaboration with CSOs in GM countries towards a sustainable electricity market development pathway in a regional context.

Research Objectives

Overall objective: The research aims to analyse pathways to optimize GM power grid interconnection towards a 100% RE future, highlight it’s technical and economic feasibility, as well as identify the challenges and opportunities in power development and transmission integration among GM countries.

Specific objectives:

• Electricity market analysis – current policy gaps and directions, power demand and agreements among GMS countries, challenges and opportunities of electricity market integration
• Power transmission models at regional scale in GM: feasibility, challenges, policy and regulatory framework requirements to facilitate transition to 100% RE power system by 2050
• A technical, economic and social analysis of long-term pathways for integrated power production, trade and transmission among GM countries

Requirements

A Firm, Institution, NGO or a Consulting Group with (but not limited to) these profiles:

• Proven track record in similar fields of study related to energy such as renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy scenarios, energy transmission, energy transition, power trade system, power storage, energy pricing, fossil fuel, energy and renewable-related technologies (thermal power, solar, wind, biomass), cost-benefit analysis for energy transition pathways.

The team leader shall meet the following, but not limited to, criteria:

• Advanced academic degree in energy, environment and relevant areas with at least 15 years of relevant professional experience.
• Proven track record in energy/climate project management, particularly with experience in energy modelling.
• Ability to present technical concepts clearly both to technical and non-technical audience.

The team members should include/ensure (but not limited to):

• University degree in energy, environment and relevant areas with at least 10 years of relevant professional experience.
• The team members with hands-on experiences in country-specific energy modelling, with at least 5-10 years of relevant experience;
• An economist to develop the cost-benefit analysis for energy transition.

The Duties, Deliverables, Schedule, Requirements & Selection Criteria are expressed in details at

https://www.wwf.org.mm/en/myanmar_career_page/

Closing Date:  14th November 2021 (Sunday)

The application should contain:

• A technical proposal with brief description of why the service provider considers him/herself as the most suitable for the assignment, and a detailed clear methodology, on how they will approach and complete the assignment (a detailed outline-the proposed implementing approaches, the detailed scientific methodology, tools, attached tentative table of content of reports, etc.) and the schedule for carrying out the service.
• Financial proposal that indicates the all-inclusive fixed total cost (inclusive of Hiring Country’s taxes), supported by a breakdown of costs and indication of daily rate, travel expenses – if any), taxes and other costs (please specify)
• Updated CVs including qualifications/competencies and relevant experiences in similar

Email to: vacancy.mm@wwf.org.mm by 5 pm Myanmar Time on 14 November, 2021.

Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.