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Hydrological model sought for Macal river basin in Belize

Belize Electricity Limited (BEL) invites expressions of interest by 21 January 2020 from qualified consulting firms for water flow forecasting services for the Macal River Basin, which includes the country’s three main hydropower plants, with the aim of strengthening the weather and climate resilience of the national energy system for improved electricity supply.

The project, titled ‘Energy Resilience for Climate Adaptation’, will receive funding of US$ 8 million from the Global Environment Facility through the World Bank, with co-financing being provided in part by the Government of Belize.

The ERCAP is being implemented by the Belize Electricity Limited (BEL), in conjunction with the Ministry of Public Service, Energy and Public Utilities (MPSEPU) and the National Meteorological Service (NMS), and is aimed at enhancing the resilience of Belize’s energy system to adverse weather and climate change impacts. The primary objective of the consultancy is to produce a functioning hydrological model capable of generating stream flow inputs into the Macal catchment area (where the Chalillo, Mollejon and Vaca hydropower plants are located) for forecast periods of 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5 day intervals thereafter up to the accumulated total of  45 days. A major expected result of the project is improved dispatching of electricity through improved forecasting of the input flows in the Macal River Catchment Area, where the three hydropower plants are located. The duration of the assignment is expected to be 12 months.

Interested consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the services. The shortlisting requirements/criteria are: hydrologist with an advanced degree (MSc or PhD) in hydrology, water resources management (with emphasis on hydrometry) or a related field, and ten years of experience in a related field; and, climatologist with a minimum of a Masters Degree in climatology, atmospheric sciences or a related field and ten years’ experience in related field. Firms who have their principal place of business and/or are registered in member countries of the World Bank will be eligible to participate. One original and two hard copies of the Expressions of Interest must be received at the address provided below no later than Tuesday 21 January 2020, at 15.00 hrs. The sealed envelope containing the submission should include the name and address of the applicant and shall be clearly marked “Expression of Interest – Development of a Hydrological Model for the Macal River Basin in Belize”.

To obtain the Terms of Reference for the assignment, contact: Carolyn L. Crawford, Project Management Unit, Energy Resilience for Climate Adaptation Project, Belize Electricity Limited, 2 ½ Miles Phillip Goldson Highway, P.O. Box 327, Belize City, Belize; Tel: +501 227 0954; Email: carolyn.crawford@bel.com.bz; ERCAPWorldBankProject@bel.com.bz; Website: www.bel.com.bz.