Renewable Energy for Rural Economic Development Project
VILLAGE HYDRO/WIND/BIOMASS INSTALLATION VERIFICATION
TERMS OF REFERENCE FOR CONSULTANT
1.
The RERED Project
The Government of Sri Lanka (GOSL), with the assistance of the World Bank and the Global
Environment Facility (GEF) has established the Renewable Energy for Rural Economic
Development (RERED) Project, which aims to foster rural economic development through private
sector and community based development models. Project targets include (a) provision of
electricity access to 100,000 households through solar home systems and independent mini-grids
fed by micro hydros, wind and biomass generators, (b) electrification of 1,000 small and medium
rural enterprises through renewable energy resources and (c) addition of 85MW capacity through
grid-connected renewable energy power plants.
GOSL has appointed DFCC Bank as the RERED Administrative Unit (AU). The RERED Project
channels funds through participating credit institutions (PCI) to individual investments. Grant
funds are also available from the GEF for selected technical assistance activities.
2.
The Need for Verification
All off-grid village hydro/wind/biomass systems installed in the RERED Project are required to
conform to the most recent Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Specifications on file with the AU. These
Specifications are designed to ensure that the village hydro/wind/biomass system meets
applicable standards for safety, reliability and longevity. Inspection of village hydro/wind/biomass
installations is necessary to ensure that the installed system conforms to the Specifications.
Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Installation Verifications are carried out by contracting the services of
a qualified Consultant from a list maintained by the AU. The PCIs or the AU would engage the
Consultants (Chartered Engineers with relevant experience) for this purpose. The AU also
administers funds to cover the costs of this consulting service.
3.
Objective
The objective of this assignment is to inspect the village hydro/wind/biomass installation
designated by the PCI or the AU and ascertain whether it conforms to the most recent version of
the Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Specifications on file at the AU. If the village hydro/wind/biomass
installation is not in compliance, a further objective is to explain to the project developer what is
required to attain compliance, and to re-inspect the installation (one time) for compliance.
Additionally, the Consultant will be required to comment on the technical aspects of an economic
development plan which may have been submitted at this stage.
4.
Tasks of the Consultant
When engaged by the PCI or the AU the Consultant will:

Agree on a work plan which will include a completion date as well as an estimated cost for the
service based on the number of days required for the assignment, number of days in the field
and the estimated travel costs including transportation, board and lodging.

Collect from the AU the most recent Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Specifications (which also
contains a checklist for the Consultant to fill).
contd.
2

Collect the Chief Electrical Inspector’s report (if not collected from the PCI), test reports (if
any) and other relevant documents (if any) from the Project Developer and make an initial
assessment of system compliance with the Specifications, making note of specific areas of
potential concern.

As advised by the PCI/AU, visit the village hydro/wind/biomass installation and make a field
assessment as to system compliance with Specifications through visual examination and field
testing methods.

Discuss system performance and problems (if any) with the users and the Project Developer.

Explain and hand over to the Electricity Consumer Society (ECS) copies of the Village
Hydro/Wind/Biomass Complaint Registration Form.

Discuss and verify with the Project Developer on the ability of the ECS to manage the village
hydro/wind/biomass scheme. This could include checking whether training on maintenance
and safety issues was conducted for at least two ECS members and whether comprehensive
user manuals had been made available.

Record all findings in the Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Specifications checklist.

Complete the Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Installation Verification Form in which the
Consultant summarises his findings and either confirms compliance with the Specifications or
recommends appropriate action to be taken by the Developer to make the
hydro/wind/biomass installation conform to Specifications. The AU will provide funds for one
re-inspection in the event of non compliance.

Submit the completed Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Installation Verification Form and Village
Hydro/Wind/Biomass Specifications Checklist to the PCI/AU.
Village Hydro/Wind/Biomass Installation Verification Form is attached.
VHWB-IV-RERED/TOR/10.10.02