The IDB contracted K&M Advisors LLC (K&M) to conduct a country-level survey in Panama regarding employment creation in the energy sectors associated to the green transition.

The main objective of the assignment was to gather data on the number and types of jobs created in the energy sector, including renewable energy, energy efficiency, demand management, electromobility, hydrogen, installation of solar panels, and storage, including advisory and consulting firms in these sectors. The K&M team made comparisons of employment creation by types of employment between the different sectors. This analysis included topics such as gender, education, investment, employment, and other relevant variables on both companies and unions present in the country that are representative of the whole. Additionally, the team provided the IDB with a database, developed a methodological guidebook, and presented the findings to IDB staff.

The Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), contracted K&M, GeothermEx, and POWER Engineers to assess new approaches and develop business models for medium/high-enthalpy geothermal energy for electricity, green hydrogen, and industrial application in Chile.

To accomplish this, the team will (i) formulate a conceptual model for an exploration risk-mitigation mechanism, suitable for promoting geothermal use in district heating, industrial applications, and/or electricity generation, (ii) develop a business model for medium/high enthalpy district heating/cooling systems, (iii) design of a contractual and market strategy for increasing the competitiveness of geothermal power generation, (iv) develop a business model for the production of green hydrogen using geothermal energy, (v) a business model for the application of geothermal heat into an energy intensive industrial activity.

The Government of Kenya intends to create a domestic natural gas market for power generation and industrial use with the aim to help diversify the country’s energy mix, improve energy security, reduce the cost of electricity and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The primary objective of this project is to conduct a feasibility study for the development and operation of infrastructure for importation of liquefied natural gas, conversion of the existing HFO (MSD) Power Plants and development of a natural gas power generation plant.

KenGen contracted K&M to analyze the technical, financial, economic, environmental and social feasibility of the development and operation of infrastructure for importation of liquefied natural gas, conversion of the existing HFO (MSD) Power Plants and development of a natural gas power generation plant to determine what, if any, options would be optimal for natural gas power generation in Kenya. As part of the study, K&M will complete the following tasks:

• Evaluate indicative LNG demand and where the demand is located
• Identify the least-cost LNG import and logistics solution to meet the demand
• Develop a business case for LNG at the cost estimated
• Evaluate LNG supply & infrastructure procurement strategy
• Develop preferred procurement option and conduct financial, economic and value for money analysis
• Conduct technical assessment of feasibility to convert 10 existing power plants from HFO/diesel to LNG
• Develop conceptual design and cost estimates for plants to be converted
• Carry out financial viability analysis for plants to be converted
• Prepare implementation schedule and risk assessment for plants to be converted
• Conduct technical assessment of a greenfield gas power plant
• Develop conceptual design and cost estimates for greenfield gas power plant
• Assess preliminary environmental and social impact of greenfield gas power plant
• Carry out financial viability analysis for greenfield gas power plant
• Prepare implementation schedule and risk assessment for the greenfield gas power plant

Vivo Energy is considering developing an LNG import terminal in Kamsar or Conakry to supply LNG by road to mines or other energy-intensive industries in Guinea (the “Project”). Using LNG rather than diesel or Heavy Fuel Oil (HFO) could reduce energy costs to these mines and industries. As an initial step, Vivo, working alongside the International Finance Corporation (IFC), will perform a preliminary analysis of the feasibility of the Project.

K&M was responsible for:

• Estimating required LNG trucks, ISO containers, customer-site storage, and customer-site regas and control systems
• Estimating logistics costs for in-country deliveries
• Analyzing the competitiveness of LNG available versus liquid fuels currently used by potential customers
• Supporting the analysis of a PV solar option including analysis of LNG-Solar hybrid solution vs LNG, fuel-switching economics, and LNG storage sizing
• Preliminary assessment of bankability for project or corporate financing.

K&M was contracted by a development bank to provide a global market assessment on floating solar projects and the potential development of a pipeline of such projects. This market assessment will expand across Africa, Asia, Latin America, Europe and Central Asia, but will primarily identify key markets in Africa and Asia. K&M will also suggest potential business models for the floating storage projects.

The IFC contracted K&M Advisors LLC (K&M) to assess the feasibility and market opportunities for the implementation and operation of wastewater reuse projects to supply off-takers in CDMX. The team will conduct a market assessment to understand the potential demand for and supply of treated wastewater in CDMX and identify, contact, and survey the alternative off-take uses for treated wastewater in CDMX. Additionally, the team will develop a detailed analysis regarding the basic technical aspects of the implementation, including potential locations based on demand forecast for potential off-takers by types of water quality and location requirements. K&M will outline and evaluate the possible financial and contractual structures for the development of water reuse projects. The team will prepare a final report and lead a Workshop on key findings and recommendations for the IFC, World Bank and other external guests to be agreed with the IFC.

K&M were hired by the IFC to support the creation of LNG projects pipeline, an LNG-to-power pricing framework and to analyze the competitiveness of LNG-to-power versus indigenous and imported coal, gas-fired plants that use indigenous gas as fuel and other sources of power (such as renewables) in Vietnam. The study will assess the optimal transposition of international LNG pricing into appropriate and competitive local power prices. The study will support individual LNG-to-power projects as well as the Government of Vietnam’s engagement with those projects.

CUC is considering LNG as a new fuel for power generation. There are several LNG import solutions that Cayman could consider, and the majority of them are likely to result in a cost of fuel that is lower than diesel. However, before proceeding with the development of a specific solution, CUC wants to develop an LNG-to-Power strategy that considers all the technically viable LNG-to-Power options, and narrows the options to two or three that have the lowest costs, a manageable level of risk, and could be implemented in a reasonable timeframe.

WEB is working with its parent company (Utilities Aruba) to decarbonize its generation matrix and meet the goals set by the Paris Agreement. To this end, WEB wanted to develop a set of decarbonized long-term generation scenarios for Aruba. These scenarios will include combinations of different technologies, including thermal (natural gas), solar PV, wind, lithium battery, and green hydrogen. K&M will assist WEB to develop a detailed model to estimate the Levelized Cost of the Electricity (LCOE) and emissions for each generation scenario.

K&M was contracted by the World Bank to review and prepare an outline for privately funded power generation projects in Pakistan. K&M evaluated the following projects: 1) 4×323 MW, oil-fired station, 2) 3×340 coal-fired station, 3) lignite-fired multi-unit station with fluidized bed combustion, and 4) hydroelectric station. K&M also assisted the World Bank in the preparation of cost estimates for these projects.