Technical assessment for sub-sea interconnection — GFPP SKN Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility

REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION) Saint Kitts and Nevis Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility Project Loan No./Credit No./ Grant No.:_ GFPP Grant No. TF0C9072 Assignment Title: Grid Modernization and Submarine Cable Interconnection Study Reference No . (as per Procurement Plan): KN-MPIEU-528498-CS-CDS The Government of Saint Kitts and Nevis has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the Preparation Grant for the Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility – SOP2, and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services. The consulting services (“the Services”) include a study that shall explicitly address the climate and disaster-risk vulnerabilities typical of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including hurricane and cyclone resilience of grid and submarine cable infrastructure, seismic and volcanic hazard exposure characteristic of the Lesser Antilles, and regional energy-security cooperation. The assignment will be for a duration of 10 months and shall deliver a technically robust, investment-ready roadmap for modernizing the electrical grids of Saint Kitts and Nevis and interconnecting them via submarine cable, enabling full integration of renewable energy — including the proposed 30–50 MW geothermal plant, utility-scale solar PV, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) — into a resilient, climate-responsive grid. Specific objectives include: Grid Modernization: assess and redesign transmission and distribution infrastructure on both islands, including reconfiguration to a 69 kV ring topology, to reduce losses, improve reliability, and prepare the network for high renewable penetration. Geothermal Integration: evaluate and specify transmission and substation requirements for delivering up to 50 MW of geothermal generation to both islands. Submarine and Terrestrial Cable Interconnection: develop a technical, economically, and environmentally sound interconnection plan, including demonstrated technology and voltage selection, route selection, redundancy analysis, cable protection, terrestrial corridor works, and landing-point substation design. Smart Grid and Digitalization: Design the SCADA architecture and associated Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), cybersecurity protocols, and integration pathways for electric vehicles (EV’s and energy storage Preliminary Environmental and Social Assessment: Prepare preliminary E&S studies for the 1) submarine cable and terrestrial route survey design, and 2) transmission ring topology and substation design. Ensure full compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs), and international technical standards (IEC, IEEE, ICPC). Risk and Climate Resilience: establish a risk management framework (register, quantification, escalation, contingency planning) and a climate vulnerability assessment covering extreme-weather and geohazard resilience. Capacity Building: transfer technical knowledge to SKELEC, NEVLEC, and government agencies through structured training and documentation.[i] The Terms of Reference (TOR) for the primary procurement stage for the assignment are attached to this request for expressions of interest. The Ministry of Public Infrastructure et. al. now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: The Consultant shall assemble a multidisciplinary team of international and local experts, each with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience and a demonstrated track record on World Bank or comparable development-partner–funded projects in small island power systems (see TOR for composition of the team). Key Experts will not be evaluated at the shortlisting stage. The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to Section III, paragraphs, 3.14, 3.16, and 3.17 of the World Bank’s “Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers” February 2025, setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. In addition, please refer to the following specific information on conflict of interest related to this assignment: Unfair Competitive Advantage 3.17 Fairness and transparency in the selection process require that Consultants or their affiliates, competing for a Consulting assignment do not derive a competitive advantage from having provided Consulting Services related to it. To that end, the Borrower shall make available to all short-listed Consultants, together with the request for proposals document, all information that would give a Consultant a competitive advantage. Consultants may associate with other firms to enhance their qualifications, but should indicate clearly whether the association is in the form of a joint venture and/or a sub-consultancy. In the case of a joint venture, all the partners in the joint venture shall be jointly and severally liable for the entire contract, if selected. A Consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant Qualification Selection method set out in the Procurement Regulations. This EOI can be found on the following websites: https://mopieudt.gov.kn/study https://www.sknis@gov.kn Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours 0900 to 1600 hours. Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by fax, or by e-mail by 22nd October, 2026 . Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities Attn: Shaniqua Carey-Brown Rams Commercial Complex Camps St. Kitts Tel: 1-869-467-1488 E-mail: Shaniqua.carey-brown@gov.kn TERMS OF REFERENCE Grid Modernization and Submarine Cable Interconnection Study Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis Financed under the World Bank Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility (RREIIF) and the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP) 1. Background and Context 1 1.1 Country and Sector Context............................................................ 1 1.2 Policy Framework and Rationale.................................................... 1 1.3 SIDS Climate and Disaster-Risk Context......................................... 1 2. Objectives.............................................................................................. 1 2.1 Main Study Goals............................................................................. 1 2.2 Key Expected Outcomes.................................................................. 1 2.3 Intended Users and Stakeholders................................................... 1 3. Scope of Services................................................................................... 1 3.1 Grid Modernization — Saint Kitts and Nevis.................................. 1 3.2 Submarine Cable Interconnection.................................................. 1 3.2.1 Technology and Voltage Selection........................................... 1 3.2.2 Route Selection, Marine Survey and Geohazard Screening.... 1 3.2.3 Cable Design, Redundancy and Protection.............................. 1 3.2.4 Existing Infrastructure, Crossings and Third-Party Interests.. 1 3.2.5 Landing-Point Substations........................................................ 1 3.3 Terrestrial Cable and Transmission Works..................................... 1 3.4 Integration Readiness Analysis....................................................... 1 3.5 Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment.......... 1 3.6 Economic Analysis, Risk Management and Digital Tools............... 1 3.7 Independent Design Review (Owner's Engineer Function)........... 1 3.8 Procurement and Capacity Building............................................... 1 3.9 Implementation Readiness and Transition Planning..................... 1 4. Deliverables and Reporting.................................................................. 1 4.1 Deliverables Matrix......................................................................... 1 4.2 Reporting Format Requirements.................................................... 1 5. Team Composition and Expert Requirements..................................... 1 6. Project Timeline and Reporting Protocols........................................... 1 6.1 Timeline (10 Months)...................................................................... 1 Phase 1: Project Initiation (Months 1–2).......................................... 1 Phase 2: Assessment and Analysis (Months 3–5) 1 Phase 3: Detailed Studies and Design (Months 6–8)........................ 1 Phase 4: Finalization and Reporting (Months 9–10)........................ 1 6.2 Stage-Gated Reporting Protocol..................................................... 1 7. Budget and Payment Schedule............................................................. 1 Progress-Based Payment Structure...................................................... 1 Key Assumptions................................................................................... 1 8. Evaluation Criteria................................................................................ 1 9. Reference Standards and Appendices................................................. 1 9.1 World Bank and International Standards....................................... 1 9.2 Appendices and Supporting Documentation................................. 1 1. Background and Context 1.1 Country and Sector Context The Federation of Saint Kitts and Nevis operates two independent electrical systems: Saint Kitts (SKELEC) , with approximately 53 MW of installed generating capacity and 30 MW peak demand, and Nevis (NEVLEC) , with approximately 19.3 MW of installed capacity and 11.5 MW peak demand. Both systems experience high losses — approximately 8.85 % in St. Kitts and 8.8% in Nevis — and remain heavily dependent on diesel generation, resulting in elevated electricity costs, exposure to fuel-price volatility, and constrained capacity to absorb variable renewable energy. 1.2 Policy Framework and Rationale Anchored in the Revised National Energy Policy and the Federation's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), the Government is committed to achieving 100% renewable electricity generation by 2030 and reducing economy-wide CO emissions by 61% relative to 2010 levels, drawing substantially on Nevis's geothermal potential together with utility-scale solar, wind, and battery energy storage. Realizing these targets requires comprehensive grid modernization on both islands, a submarine cable interconnection linking the two systems, and integration of the proposed 30–50 MW Nevis geothermal plant. This assignment is financed under the World Bank's Caribbean Resilient Renewable Energy Infrastructure Investment Facility (RREIIF) and the Grant Facility for Project Preparation (GFPP), and builds on prior feasibility studies and Environmental and Social Impact Assessments (ESIAs) commissioned by SKELEC, NEVLEC, Ministry of Sustainability, and the Energy Unit, as well as regional frameworks such as the OECS Decade for Sustainable Energy and the CARICOM Energy Policy. 1.3 SIDS Climate and Disaster-Risk Context The Study shall explicitly address the climate and disaster-risk vulnerabilities typical of Small Island Developing States (SIDS), including hurricane and cyclone resilience of grid and submarine cable infrastructure, seismic and volcanic hazard exposure characteristic of the Lesser Antilles, and regional energy-security cooperation. 2. Objectives 2.1 Main Study Goals The assignment will deliver a technically robust, investment-ready roadmap for modernizing the electrical grids of Saint Kitts and Nevis and interconnecting them via submarine cable, enabling full integration of renewable energy — including the proposed 30–50 MW geothermal plant, utility-scale solar PV, wind, and battery energy storage systems (BESS) — into a resilient, climate-responsive grid. Specific objectives include: Grid Modernization: assess and redesign transmission and distribution infrastructure on both islands, including reconfiguration to a 69 kV ring topology, to reduce losses, improve reliability, and prepare the network for high renewable penetration. Geothermal Integration: evaluate and specify transmission and substation requirements for delivering up to 50 MW of geothermal generation to both islands. Submarine and Terrestrial Cable Interconnection: develop a technical, economically, and environmentally sound interconnection plan, including demonstrated technology and voltage selection, route selection, redundancy analysis, cable protection, terrestrial corridor works, and landing-point substation design. Smart Grid and Digitalization : Design the SCADA architecture and associated Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Distributed Energy Resource Management Systems (DERMS), cybersecurity protocols, and integration pathways for electric vehicles (EV’s and energy storage Preliminary Environmental and Social Assessment: Prepare preliminary E&S studies for the 1) submarine cable and terrestrial route survey design, and 2) transmission ring topology and substation design. Ensure full compliance with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), Environmental, Health and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs), and international technical standards (IEC, IEEE, ICPC). Risk and Climate Resilience: establish a risk management framework (register, quantification, escalation, contingency planning) and a climate vulnerability assessment covering extreme-weather and geohazard resilience. Capacity Building: transfer technical knowledge to SKELEC, NEVLEC, and government agencies through structured training and documentation. 2.2 Key Expected Outcomes Technical specifications of Tender Package: a complete suite of technical specifications of procurement packages for grid upgrades, geothermal integration, and interconnection works, including technical specifications, cost estimates, implementation phasing, risk allocation considerations, and documentation suitable for inclusion in tender and financing processes. Detailed Technical Specifications: engineering design concepts and digital modernization strategies enabling efficient, secure dispatch of renewable energy at all scales, independently reviewed prior to procurement (see Section 3.7). Preliminary Environmental and Social Assessment: consistent with World Bank ESF and international best practices, including marine, terrestrial, and third party-infrastructure considerations. Stakeholder Engagement and Inclusion: consultation records, gender and vulnerability assessments, and a result-based monitoring and evaluation framework. Capacity Building and Knowledge Transfer: structured programs for local utilities and government agencies to ensure sustainability and technical self-reliance. 2.3 Intended Users and Stakeholders Government Ministries and Agencies: Ministry of Public Infrastructure, Energy and Utilities; the Energy Unit; Ministry of Finance; and Ministry of Environment and Transport, for policy development, budgeting, and regulatory oversight. State-Owned Utilities: SKELEC and NEVLEC, for technical implementation, grid operation, and asset management. Private Developers and Investors: geothermal, solar, wind, and Power-to-X developers requiring clear interconnection requirements and grid expansion plans to mobilize project finance. International Financing Partners: the World Bank and other multilateral development banks, requiring transparent, data-backed project documents that comply with fiduciary and safeguard standards. Local Communities and Civil Society: benefiting from inclusive consultation, improved energy services, disaster resilience, and employment opportunities. Additional Institutional Stakeholders (per prior study mapping): building on the stakeholder mapping conducted under the prior GCF-financed T&D/EV study, the Development Control Planning Board, Department of Physical Planning (Nevis), Ministry of Sustainable Development (including the National Designated Authority), Eastern Caribbean Central Bank, St. Kitts and Nevis Chamber of Industry and Commerce, licensed vehicle importers, and Clarence Fitzroy Bryant College, among others, shall be consulted as relevant to grid modernization and EV-charging integration. 3. Scope of Services The scope is organized into clearly separated packages of work, consistent with international practice for terrestrial and subsea interconnector studies: desktop review, route/technology assessment, geophysical and geotechnical investigation, environmental and social screening, engineering design, cost estimation, procurement support, and implementation planning. The land-based (terrestrial) and marine (subsea) elements of the interconnection are treated as distinct workstreams throughout, reflecting their different technical inputs, approval pathways, and risk profiles. 3.1 Grid Modernization — Saint Kitts and Nevis Conduct a full audit of transmission and distribution assets on both islands — substations, feeders, transformers, and protection/control systems — including load-flow analysis, capacity-constraint identification, and power-quality/harmonic measurements. Redesign the 11 kV networks from radial to loop/ring configuration, establishing a 69 kV ring on both St. Kitts and Nevis, with conductor sizing optimization and integration points for utility-scale solar, storage, and EV-charging infrastructure. Design new primary substations and switching stations — 69/11 kV (St. Kitts) and 11/69 kV (Nevis) — for submarine cable interconnection, with SCADA and protection systems integrated with existing facilities. Specify dedicated transmission lines, substation requirements, and conduct grid-stability/voltage-regulation studies for geothermal plant connection. Conduct a grid-code gap analysis against Caribbean and World Bank standards and propose updated grid codes and performance standards (SAIDI, SAIFI, ENS) for renewable integration, including fault ride-through requirements. Define power-system modelling software and scenarios, including N-1/N-2 contingency analysis, renewable-penetration cases, and minimum/maximum load conditions. Review and Build on Prior Assessment: incorporate and validate the findings of the prior T&D Efficiency and Vulnerability Assessment (August 2025), including its recommended system upgrades (reactive compensation, advanced metering infrastructure, reconductoring of low-capacity feeders, SCADA and automated switching, and double-busbar 11 kV switchboard replacement), to avoid duplicating previously completed diagnostic work. 3.2 Submarine Cable Interconnection The following sub-sections set out the marine interconnection scope in the level of technical detail expected of a tender ready, internationally benchmarked TOR (consistent with practice on comparable World Bank-financed interconnectors, and close gaps identified through comparison against ICPC/CIGRE industry guidance. 3.2.1 Technology and Voltage Selection The Consultant shall not assume the voltage level or transmission technology. Rather, the Consultant shall demonstrate, through a documented technical and economic comparison, the recommended choice of AC versus HVDC transmission and the associated voltage level for the ≈ 15–20 km strait crossing, considering: Capital and lifecycle cost comparison between HVAC and HVDC options at candidate voltage levels; Technical suitability given the crossing distance, load profile, and future expansion (including eventual OECS/CARICOM multi-country interoperability); Reactive power compensation requirements and cable charging-current constraints for the AC case; Converter station footprint, cost, and maintenance implications for the HVDC case; A reasoned recommendation, with the basis for the recommendation presented transparently for review by the Client, World Bank, and independent design reviewer (Section 3.7). 3.2.2 Route Selection, Marine Survey and Geohazard Screening Conduct marine geotechnical and bathymetric surveys of three candidate routes: Route 1: Charlestown–Basseterre; Route 2: Cades Bay–Frigate Bay; Route 3: Cades Bay–Majors Bay; including shore-approach and beach-profile assessments and landing-point selection. Survey and screening work shall follow a staged approach — desktop screening, geophysical survey, then geotechnical confirmation — and shall meet the following minimum requirements so that competing bids are technically comparable: Geophysical survey toolset: multibeam echosounder (bathymetry), side-scan sonar (seabed features/obstacles), sub-bottom profiler (sub-surface stratigraphy), and magnetometer (ferrous object/UXO screening), with a stated corridor width and survey resolution for each candidate route. Geotechnical investigation: vibro-core or piston-core sampling (and cone penetration testing (CPT) where warranted) along the shortlisted route at intervals sufficient to characterize burial conditions, with a defined laboratory and in-situ testing regime to guide burial depth, trenching/ploughing method, and tooling selection. Geohazard screening: explicit assessment of slope stability, seismicity, and sediment mobility/scour along the route corridor, reflecting the volcanic setting and steep nearshore bathymetry of the Narrows/Nevis Channel. This shall be a distinct deliverable and shall not be treated as implicitly covered by the bathymetric survey. 3.2.3 Cable Design, Redundancy and Protection Perform combined system modelling of St. Kitts and Nevis — power-transfer scenarios, dynamic stability, short-circuit analysis, and protection coordination for interconnected operation. Specify detailed technical requirements for the submarine cable, including installation/burial depth, minimum bend radius, tension limits, conductor type and rating, fiber-optic integration, reactive compensation requirements (as applicable), spare-cable provision, and repair/recovery strategy. Cable security and physical protection: the design basis shall address anchor-strike and third party-interference (including deliberate sabotage) risk mitigation, including burial depth as a protective measure, declaration of a cable protection zone, and provisions for route monitoring, consistent with the resilience objectives of the Study. 3.2.4 Existing Infrastructure, Crossings and Third-Party Interests The Consultant shall carry out a survey of existing seabed and nearshore infrastructure and third-party interests along candidate routes, including: Existing telecommunications cables and other subsea infrastructure, with proposed crossing methodology and draft crossing-agreement provisions consistent with ICPC-recommended practice; Vessel anchorages, designated anchoring areas, and shipping lanes; Marine protected areas and other designated or proposed conservation zones. 3.2.5 Landing-Point Substations Design a transmission ring topology linking major load centres and planned power-plant sites, with landing-point substations (St. Kitts: 69/11 kV; Nevis: 11/69 kV) featuring switching, control/protection, and SCADA integration. Prepare capital cost estimates, financial analysis (NPV, IRR, sensitivity), and a procurement strategy with technical specifications. Reference Prior Interconnection Analysis: review and update, as appropriate, the prior study’s preliminary 33 kV express-feeder interconnection concept between Needsmust Power Station (St. Kitts) and Prospect Power Station (Nevis), including its indicative capital cost range (USD 3.0–5.1 million) and estimated fuel-displacement benefit (approximately 1.03 million litres/year), when evaluating and selecting the recommended voltage level and route for the submarine cable interconnection. 3.3 Terrestrial Cable and Transmission Works The terrestrial component of the interconnection extends beyond the substation-to-landing-point interface and shall be scoped explicitly, covering: Corridor mapping and route assessment for terrestrial cable and overhead transmission segments, including constructability constraints; Design standards for terrestrial segments, and applicable undergrounding/duct-bank standards for cable sections; Right-of-way and wayleave/easement identification and acquisition support, including engagement with private landowners and public authorities along the terrestrial corridor; Utility and infrastructure crossings (roads, drainage, other utilities) and associated permitting requirements; Trenching, ducting, and civil works specifications for terrestrial cable sections, including reinstatement requirements. 3.4 Integration Readiness Analysis Assess system capacity to absorb solar PV, wind, BESS, electric vehicles (EVs), and Power-to-X projects. Develop interconnection standards and operational protocols for hydrogen production and broader sector coupling. Analyze regional expansion options for future multi-country interoperability with neighbouring OECS/CARICOM grids. Align with EV Transition Policy and Prior EV Roadmap: ensure EV integration standards and charging-infrastructure provisions are consistent with the St. Kitts and Nevis EV Transition Policy (2024–2033) and build upon, rather than duplicate, the phased short/medium/long-term targets, financial incentives, and charging-infrastructure recommendations of the prior EV Integration Roadmap. 3.5 Preliminary Environmental and Social Impact Assessment Given the available budget under the Preparation Grant (Section 7), this activity is scoped as a preliminary, scoping-level ESIA rather than a full ESIA. Its purpose is to screen environmental and social risks, identify data gaps, and establish an ESMP framework sufficient to inform Project design and the subproject pipeline. A full ESIA meeting Environmental and Social Standards (ESS) requirements, including detailed field-based marine surveys where warranted, shall be completed under the Follow-on Legal Agreement once the Project scope and financing are confirmed. The Consultant shall clearly flag, within the Inception Report, which of the activities below are deliverable at preliminary/desk-based level within this budget, and which would require additional field survey budget to complete to full-ESIA standard. Undertake field-based marine ecosystem mapping and biodiversity assessment (fish, sea turtles, marine mammals), explicitly integrating climate-change stressors and assessing construction- and operational-phase impacts — including underwater noise, sedimentation, and water quality — with corresponding mitigation and monitoring measures. Assess electromagnetic field (EMF) effects of the submarine cable on EMF-sensitive species (e.g. rays, sharks, sea turtles) as a distinct line item in the ESIA, consistent with recognized practice for international offshore cable ESIAs. Incorporate the findings of the crossing/third party-infrastructure survey (Section 3.2.4) into the ESIA and ESMP, including mitigation measures and crossing-agreement provisions. Conduct terrestrial and substation-site assessments — visual impact, soil/groundwater quality, and vegetation/wildlife habitat — along with a beach-profile assessment of the cable corridors. Design and implement a stakeholder engagement program — public workshops, focus groups, and bilateral meetings with fishermen, tourism operators, communities, and government — ensuring project data is shared proactively with stakeholders and that community-facing engagement materials incorporate input from the Constituency Empowerment Unit. Carry out socio-economic analysis of effects on fishing and tourism, local employment, and community access/navigation, with a Gender Analysis and cumulative-impact and ecosystem-services valuation and prepare an Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) with mitigation hierarchy, monitoring indicators with targets and budgets, quarterly reporting, and a grievance redress mechanism. 3.6 Economic Analysis, Risk Management and Digital Tools Conduct economic and financial analysis for each project component and the project overall — cost-benefit analysis of alternative technical solutions (including the AC/HVDC comparison in Section 3.2.1), 25–30-year financial modelling, ERR/NPV/IRR, tariff-impact scenarios, and an assessment of climate/concessional finance options available for SIDS. Establish a project risk register (technical, financial, environmental, social, institutional) with mitigation strategies, contingency plans specific to submarine cables, geothermal integration, and local supply chain, and escalation protocols. Apply GIS-based planning with georeferenced data for all infrastructure components and, where feasible, a digital twin of the grid and interconnection for scenario analysis and operator training. 3.7 Independent Design Review (Owner's Engineer Function) Prior to finalization of procurement specifications for the submarine cable and associated works, the technical design shall undergo an independent design review by a qualified party separate from the core design team, consistent with practice on comparable World Bank-financed interconnectors. The independent review shall cover: Verification of the technology/voltage selection basis and supporting economic analysis (Section 3.2.1); Verification of route, survey, and geohazard findings and their translation into the design basis; Review of redundancy, protection, and cable-security provisions; Review of cost estimates and procurement packaging strategy for reasonableness and completeness. The Consultant shall budget for and coordinate this review, incorporate review findings prior to submission of final procurement documents, and document the resolution of any review comments. 3.8 Procurement and Capacity Building Undertake market sounding for submarine cable supply and installation logistics and prepare a packaging strategy for turnkey or split contracts — with risk allocation and local-content requirements — plus procurement templates and technical specifications aligned with World Bank Standard Bidding Documents. Incorporate technology-transfer objectives and training requirements into contract specifications and establish anti-corruption safeguards and complaint-handling protocols. Develop a capacity-building plan, train-the-trainer program, and a digital documentation repository for SKELEC, NEVLEC, and relevant government agencies, and facilitate regional knowledge-sharing (e.g. CARILEC, CCREEE). Build on Existing EV Training Program: coordinate the capacity-building plan and train-the-trainer program with the existing EV Integration Training Program (led by TT PV Solar Ltd., targeting certification of 20 technicians by 2033), extending it to cover grid-modernization and interconnection-specific skills rather than duplicating the existing curriculum. 3.9 Implementation Readiness and Transition Planning Develop a phased implementation roadmap and a detailed first-year action plan. Design an institutional strengthening and transition plan, including staff recruitment, training, and organizational changes needed to operate the modernized/interconnected grid. Identify and prepare for pre-investment activities — surveys, permits, and procurement actions — required to move directly into implementation. Support Recommended Institutional Reforms: as part of the transition plan, support the Client in advancing the institutional reforms identified in the prior study — establishment of a Public Utilities Commission for unified regulatory oversight, formation of an Electric Vehicle Council, and instituting a Grid Modernization Cross-Functional Task Force — and align the phased implementation roadmap with these bodies’ mandates. 4. Deliverables and Reporting All reports shall be submitted in digital and hard-copy formats using World Bank reporting templates, and shall include executive summaries, technical annexes, and GIS data files where applicable. Each deliverable is subject to Client review and, where required, World Bank no-objection, prior to acceptance. 4.1 Deliverables Matrix Workstream Deliverable Due (Month) Format Grid Modernization Inception Report (methodology, risk register, work plan) M1 Report + PPT Grid Modernization Grid Assessment Report (both islands) M2 Report Grid Modernization Preliminary Design Report (incl. SCADA/control concepts) M3 Report Grid Modernization Detailed Design Report and specifications M5 Report + drawings Grid Modernization Implementation Plan M5 Report Geothermal Integration Geothermal Integration Feasibility Report (transmission & substation concepts) M5 Report Submarine Interconnection Technology/Voltage Selection Memorandum (Sec. 3.2.1) M4 Memo Submarine Interconnection Marine Survey, Geohazard and Route Alternatives Report (Sec. 3.2.2) M7 Report + GIS Submarine Interconnection Technical Design Report (cable, redundancy, protection, substations) M7 Report Submarine Interconnection Crossing / Third-Party Infrastructure Report M5 Report Submarine Interconnection Independent Design Review Report and Response (Sec. 3.7) M7 Report Submarine Interconnection Economic Feasibility Report M9 Report Submarine Interconnection Procurement Specifications M10 Bid documents Terrestrial Works Terrestrial Corridor and Wayleave/Easement Report M6 Report + GIS Environmental & Social Scoping Report M2 Report Environmental & Social Baseline Studies Report M5 Report Environmental & Social Impact Assessment Report (incl. EMF assessment) M8 Report Environmental & Social Environmental and Social Management Plan (ESMP) M9 Report Environmental & Social Final ESIA Report M10 Report Project-Wide Stakeholder Engagement Records and summary of consultations M8 Report Project-Wide Capacity-Building Plan and training materials M6 Report Project-Wide Presentation Materials — executive slide decks for government, World Bank, and community outreach M1, M6, M 9–M10 PPT / brochures Project-Wide Implementation Readiness and Transition Plan (first-year action plan) M9 Report Project-Wide Results Framework and Monitoring Dashboards (SMART indicators) M9 Report + dashboard Project-Wide Final Report, Results Framework, and Knowledge-Transfer Package M10 Report 4.2 Reporting Format Requirements All deliverables shall include an executive summary, main technical body, and technical annexes. GIS shapefiles and georeferenced data shall accompany all routes, survey, and infrastructure-siting deliverables. Reports shall undergo internal quality review by the Consultant prior to submission. Acceptance criteria for each deliverable shall be agreed with the Client at the Inception stage and referenced against this Deliverables Matrix. 5. Team Composition and Expert Requirements The Consultant shall assemble a multidisciplinary team of international and local experts, each with a minimum of 10 years of relevant experience and a demonstrated track record on World Bank or comparable development-partner–funded projects in small island power systems. Role Key Requirements Project Manager / Team Leader 15+ yrs power systems & submarine cable projects; PE certification; Caribbean experience preferred Senior Power Systems Engineer Grid planning/design, load-flow and stability analysis, renewable integration Transmission & Interconnection Engineer Submarine/terrestrial transmission design, voltage selection, redundancy modelling Submarine Cable Specialist HVAC/HVDC submarine cable design, marine installation, route selection, geohazard interpretation Substation Design Engineer HV/MV substation design, protection & control, SCADA automation Senior Environmental & Social Safeguards Specialist ESIA/ESMP, World Bank ESF, climate adaptation Marine Biologist / Ecologist Caribbean marine ecosystems, coral/seagrass, fish & marine-mammal assessment, EMF-sensitive species Social Development Specialist Stakeholder engagement, gender & vulnerability analysis Economic / Financial Analyst Cost-benefit analysis, financial modelling, AC/HVDC economic comparison Procurement Specialist World Bank Standard Bidding Documents GIS / Remote Sensing Specialist Survey mapping, siting analysis Legal / Regulatory Specialist Permitting, wayleave/easement, and regulatory compliance Health and Safety Specialist H&S protocols for field activities Local Engineering / Environmental Liaison Local firm partnership, community liaison, permitting support 6. Project Timeline and Reporting Protocols 6.1 Timeline (10 Months) Phase 1: Project Initiation (Months 1–2) Team mobilization, inception report and presentation, stakeholder mapping and initial consultations, data collection and baseline establishment, and marine-survey mobilization. Phase 2: Assessment and Analysis (Months 3–5) Grid infrastructure assessments for both islands, technology/voltage selection analysis, marine surveys and route/geohazard investigations, environmental and social baseline studies, preliminary technical designs, and initial stakeholder consultation workshops. Phase 3: Detailed Studies and Design (Months 6–8) Detailed engineering designs for all project components (including redundancy, protection, and crossing provisions), independent design review, impact assessments and mitigation/monitoring planning, economic and financial analysis, advanced stakeholder consultations, and draft report preparation. Phase 4: Finalization and Reporting (Months 9–10) Final reports, incorporation of independent review and stakeholder feedback, final presentation and handover, and capacity-building workshops. 6.2 Stage-Gated Reporting Protocol Inception Presentation (Month 1): methodology, team mobilization, and risk-matrix review. Technology/Voltage Selection Review (Month 4): presentation of the AC/HVDC comparison and recommended basis of design. Interim Presentations (Months 4 and 8): technical progress updates, key findings, and stakeholder-feedback synthesis. Independent Design Review Checkpoint (Month 7): presentation of independent review findings and resolution plan. Draft Final Presentation (Month 9): summary of technical, financial, and ESIA results for validation. Final Presentation (Month 10): delivery of all outputs, knowledge transfer, and implementation roadmap. All reports and presentations must follow World Bank reporting templates, include executive summaries, technical annexes, and GIS shapefiles, be submitted in digital and hard-copy formats, and incorporate stakeholder feedback prior to finalization. Reports shall undergo internal quality review before submission. 7. Budget and Payment Schedule Total available budget for the technical study: USD 450,000. This reflects the USD 500,000 GFPP/RREIIF preparation grant (TF0C9072), less USD 50,000 reserved by the Client for project management and other Client-side activities (e.g., PIU/Activities Coordinator support, independent audit, and administrative costs) under the Grant Agreement. The allocation below is indicative; firms' technical and financial proposals will provide the basis for final negotiation and, if needed, scaling back of specific activities to remain within the available budget. Activity Estimated Cost (USD) 1. Grid Modernization Study 195,000 2. Submarine and Terrestrial Cable Interconnection Study (incl. route analysis, geohazard screening, redundancy analysis, economics, procurement specs) 150,000 3. Preliminary Environmental & Social Impact Assessment (desk-based and scoping-level marine and terrestrial studies, EMF screening, social screening, stakeholder engagement, and ESMP framework; full ESIA to be completed under the Follow-on Legal Agreement) 90,000 4. Independent Design Review 15,000 Total 450,000 Progress-Based Payment Structure Disbursements shall be milestone-based, subject to formal acceptance of deliverables by the Client and, where required, World Bank no-objection, in accordance with World Bank fiduciary and anti-corruption provisions. Funds shall be allocated through a project-specific, auditable account, with payments linked to deliverable acceptance as follows: Milestone Payment Mobilization Advance (upon contract signing and inception) 10% Acceptance of Inception Report 15% Technical Assessment and Modernization Options Report 15% Geothermal Integration Feasibility Report 10% Interconnection Design, Redundancy Analysis and Transmission Planning Report 10% Independent Design Review Sign-off 5% Provisional Acceptance of ESIA and ESMP 10% Procurement and Financial Planning Documents 10% Final Report and Knowledge-Transfer Deliverables 10% Completion of Dissemination and Closure Activities 5% Each payment is contingent upon formal acceptance of deliverables and incorporation of required revisions at no additional cost; all invoices must include supporting documentation and comply with World Bank audit requirements. Key Assumptions Expert costs represent approximately 70% of the total budget (≈ USD 315,000). The remaining 30% covers travel, surveys, equipment, the independent design review, overheads, and profit. Total effort: approximately 90 person-months across all experts, consistent with Section 6. Cost variations by seniority: Senior (+30%), Mid (baseline), Junior (–30%). 8. Evaluation Criteria Proposals shall be evaluated against the following weighted criteria. Indicative weightings are provided; final weightings shall be confirmed in the Request for Proposals in accordance with World Bank procurement guidelines. Criterion Description Weight Technical Methodology Quality, clarity, and technical soundness of the proposed approach to the technology/voltage selection, route and geohazard investigation, redundancy analysis, and ESIA scope 30% Team Qualifications Relevant qualifications and seniority of proposed experts against Section 5 requirements 25% Relevant Cable Experience Demonstrated firm and key-expert experience on comparable submarine/terrestrial interconnector projects, including marine survey, cable design, and independent review assignments 25% Work Plan and Schedule Realism and coherence of the proposed work plan against the Section 6 timeline and Section 4 deliverables matrix 10% Local Presence / Partnership Extent of local firm partnership and capacity-building approach 10% 9. Reference Standards and Appendices 9.1 World Bank and International Standards All deliverables shall comply with the World Bank Environmental and Social Framework (ESF), including applicable Environmental and Social Standards (ESS1–ESS10), and the World Bank Group Environmental, Health, and Safety Guidelines (EHSGs) for power transmission/distribution, renewable energy infrastructure, and construction/marine works. Technical design and engineering studies shall reference the latest editions of IEC and IEEE standards for power systems, grid modernization, and protection; ICPC guidelines for subsea cable route selection, installation, environmental management, and crossing agreements; CIGRE guidance for submarine cable systems; and CDB/CARICOM regional standards — together with the Caribbean Regional Energy Efficiency Building Code (CREEBC) proposed under the prior GCF-financed study for climate-resilient and energy-efficient design of substations and associated facilities, -— all consistent with Saint Kitts and Nevis national legislation and regulatory codes. Reports shall follow World Bank reporting templates and undergo internal quality review prior to submission. 9.2 Appendices and Supporting Documentation Project roadmaps and implementation schedules referenced or developed during the assignment. Technical maps, network diagrams, and GIS shapefiles for survey, routing, and infrastructure siting. A glossary of technical abbreviations and institutional acronyms used across all deliverables. Bibliographic citations of all source documents, datasets, laws, licenses, studies, and sector plans utilized or referenced, with links to public or World Bank repositories wherever possible. Copies of permits, licenses, and regulatory approvals required for project implementation, including terrestrial wayleave/easement documentation and marine crossing agreements. Any additional supporting documentation required for international financing and compliance reviews. Prior Study Deliverables: the seven deliverables of the closed-out GCF-financed T&D/EV study (T&D Efficiency and Vulnerability Assessment, Grid and Tariff Barrier Assessment, Building Codes Update, Validation Workshop record, EV Integration Roadmap, EV Integration Training Program, and stakeholder consultation records) shall be provided to the Consultant as reference background documentation at inception.