PROJECT - Fana (Mali) | Solar IPP Concession (BOOT) | 50 MWp | 2016-2022

End-to-end development of a BOOT solar concession project, delivered under mandate from an IPP with full delegation of project development.

From the signature of the first MoUs through land and social securing, to contractual signatures and key permits.

Context

The project was developed in a shifting institutional environment, with continuous delivery and coordination maintained over time despite political transitions and frequent changes of counterparts.

Key milestones (main deliverables secured)

• Dec 2016 - First MoU with authorities; launch of preliminary studies.
• 2017-2018 - Full feasibility: PVsyst, engineering, grid connection scenario, BOOT business plan, preliminary ES/S.
• Feb 2019 - Second MoU (Ministry of Energy), reinforcing the State’s commitment.
• 2019-2021 - Review and successive approvals: sector authorities, procurement/PPP processes, utility/off-taker, relevant ministries, Council of Ministers.
• Apr 2021 - Decree approving the concession agreement.
• Jul 2021 - Concession agreement + PPA signed.
• Dec 2021 - Environmental permit obtained.
• Apr 2022 - Inter-ministerial meeting validating the Public Utility Declaration (DUP).
• Sep 2022 - Resettlement/clearance process completed over 100 hectares, in line with reference requirements (RAP/LRP).

Scope delivered (under IPP mandate)

• Studies & engineering: resource assessment, PV sizing (PVsyst), electrical engineering, grid interconnection scheme, techno-economic analyses.
• Full permitting: sector compliance, administrative authorizations, decree, PPA, concession, environmental permit, DUP.
• Land & social: securing the site footprint (100 ha), boundary surveying, liaison with land administration/local authorities, RAP (resettlement) and LRP (livelihood restoration), consultations and compensation mechanisms.
• Institutional coordination: facilitation of multi-ministry exchanges, utility/off-taker, technical agencies and validation bodies.
• Contracting: negotiation and consolidation of PPA/concession, technical alignment (interconnection), coordination of engineering firms.
• Financing preparation: data room, exchanges with investors/lenders, due diligence materials.

PROJECT - Hydro Surplus Origination Program → HPC Compute Center (confidential) | 2022-2025

A continent-scale origination and opportunity scouting program across a large share of Africa, designed to identify under-monetized hydroelectric energy surpluses and convert them into revenues through a flexible HPC (High Performance Computing) load.

This work led to one of the country’s largest hydro-backed HPC projects (confidential), designed to temporarily monetize (≈ 5 years) surplus energy while local/industrial demand catches up with available capacity.

Monetized capacity: 14 MW

Confidentiality: location, counterparties, and detailed volumes are deliberately not disclosed.

Context

In many countries, hydro assets produce beyond solvent demand and/or grid evacuation capacity, creating a paradox: energy is available, yet difficult to monetize. Phased HPC deployment makes it possible to turn “stranded” surplus energy into measurable revenues—without waiting years for an industrial off-taker.

Key milestones

• 2022-2023 - Origination program: identification, qualification and prioritization of surplus hydro opportunities.
• Feb 2024 - Power purchase agreement / framework supply agreement signed to feed the HPC infrastructure.
• Feb 2025 - Facility commissioned (deployment delivered in line with the contractual schedule).

Scope delivered (project mandate)​

• Mapping & qualification of hydro surpluses (multi-opportunity program)
  Systematic assessment of assets and access conditions: available volumes, seasonality, grid/evacuation constraints, continuity and power quality, metering mechanisms, and contractual/operational modalities.
• “Bankable” feasibility work
  Technical, economic and operational analysis: phased deployment scenarios, CAPEX/OPEX, real energy availability, regulatory constraints, logistics and infrastructure needs (access, security, telecoms, operations). Early integration of country/execution risks.
• Institutional framing & administrative securing
  Coordination with authorities and key stakeholders to secure a clear framework: authorizations, roles and responsibilities, project governance, access conditions, operating rules, and stability clauses—without reliance on informal arrangements.
• Contracting structuring (energy + operations)
  Drafting, negotiation and finalization of key documents: energy purchase/supply agreement, payment terms, guarantees, metering, control/audit mechanisms, contractual remedies, milestones and conditions precedent—aligned with the operating model.
• Partner identification & structuring (finance & run) 
  Selection of a partner able to finance and operate the facility. Partnership structuring: governance, allocation of responsibilities, compliance requirements, O&M model, reporting and execution roadmap.
• End-to-end project steering through commissioning
  Full supervision: sequencing, multi-party coordination (authorities, concessionaire, partners, technical teams), milestone tracking, critical dependency management and decision arbitrations. Agreement signed 02/2024 for commissioning 02/2025.
• Risk management
  Structured identification and mitigation: political, regulatory, reputational, operational and security risks. Implementation of contractual safeguards and governance/traceability mechanisms.
• Monitoring & performance
  Set-up of operational KPIs (energy availability, facility performance, compliance, security, reporting), with regular reviews and adjustments.

PROJECT - GIZ (PDP) | Mali & Senegal | Renewables for the Mining Sector | 2020-2021

Objective

Assessment of the renewable energy supply potential for the mining sector in Mali and Senegal. Assignment commissioned by GIZ under the Project Development Programme (PDP), aimed at identifying concrete B2B renewable energy project opportunities, with an unsubsidized economic viability approach.

Context

The mining sector combines high energy demand, stringent operating constraints (continuity, power quality, safety), and highly heterogeneous supply profiles (grid-connected, captive power, hybrid solutions). The objective was to produce an operational view: which sites are priority, which solutions are realistic, and under what conditions a project becomes “executable”.

Scope of work delivered

• Cross-sector research & structured data collection (Mali / Senegal)
  • Desk research, secondary data collection, and consolidation of available sources (gold mining).
  • Mapping of sites and stakeholders: status, production mode, location, electrification level, field constraints.
  • Preliminary site-by-site technical and economic screening (solar, hybridization, O&M constraints).
  • Development of detailed databases: comparative tables, site fact sheets, maturity/opportunity scoring.
• Design and validation of a “mining operators” questionnaire
  • Development of a structured questionnaire to qualify: energy demand, load profiles, operating constraints, acceptability criteria, feasibility conditions for PV/hybrid solutions.
  • Integration of PDP/GIZ feedback and final validation.
• Qualitative field survey & team coordination
  • Conducted 9 targeted interviews with mining operators (Mali / Senegal).
  • Logistical coordination of a consultant team across both countries.
  • Consolidation of primary data: completed questionnaires, tracking tables, traceability of exchanges (contacts, dates, locations, feedback).
• Cross-analysis & final “market / projects” deliverable
  • Cross-analysis of secondary sources and field data.
  • Identification of the most credible opportunities: project typologies (PV, solar-thermal hybridization, etc.) aligned with technical profiles and economic constraints.
  • Drafting of a structured final report: maps, typologies, and actionable recommendations for private developers, industrial players, donors/lenders, investors and mining companies.
  • Final report delivered to GIZ in January 2021 after iterations.

PROJECT - EU / GIZ (TAF - EuropeAid) | Togo | 100 MW PV Solar Plant | 2025

Objective

EU-funded technical assistance assignment: Team Leader for a pre-feasibility study and partial feasibility study of a 100 MW photovoltaic solar plant, supporting the Ministry of Energy of Togo and the EU Delegation (TAF/EuropeAid).

Multi-disciplinary team: 8 experts.

Scope of work delivered (Team Leader)

• Mission framing & governance: definition of scope, workplan, deliverable governance, milestones, multi-expert coordination and decision arbitrations.
• Technical workstream leadership: consolidation of key assumptions (site, resource, technical options), consistency of scenarios and execution logic.
• Institutional interface: regular coordination with the Ministry and the EU Delegation, facilitation of progress reviews, reporting and alignment on expectations.
• Actionable deliverables: structured decision documents focused on “next steps” (data gaps, key risks, action plan, responsibilities).

PROJECT - Territorial Agrivoltaic Portfolio | 4 projects | 26 MW | France | 2023-2024

Objective

Development of a portfolio of four agrivoltaic projects (≈ 26 MW) on private land, combining PV generation with agricultural infrastructure (solar aviaries), from early-stage structuring through to a transfer-ready project package.

Key milestones

• Nov 2023 - Land partnership agreements signed with multiple farmers/breeders (site footprint secured).
• 2023-2024 - Feasibility and early development: layout, constraints, preliminary grid connection screening, techno-economic assumptions.
• Jul 2024 - Transfer of project rights / contractual arrangement with an investor (confidential).

Scope of work delivered

• Farmer/breeder partnerships: negotiation, securing of rights, access and conditions, local governance.
• Feasibility & maturation: site sourcing, technical studies, preliminary grid connection, structuring of project files.
• Investor process: preparation of a structured consultation (tender-like), transfer-ready data pack, transfer conditions.
• Value optimization: steering of key arbitrations and pre-defined valuation targets.

PROJECT - Solar Concession Plant | 50 MWp scalable to 100 MWp | Republic of the Congo | 2020-2023

Objective

Development of a 50 MWp solar concession project (scalable to 100 MWp): full feasibility study, land and administrative securing, structuring of the setup (PPA / grid interconnection / bankability risks), through to obtaining the operating license (07/2021) and preparing the financing steps.

Key milestones

• Jul 2021 - Operating license obtained
• 2020-2023 - Full studies, site securing (≈ 100 ha), ESIA/ESMP scoping, contractual structuring and investor preparation

Scope of work delivered

1) Full feasibility study (technical, regulatory, financial)

Delivery and consolidation of the full set of feasibility outputs, including:

• Solar resource assessment (PVsyst): production simulations, system losses, injected energy, scenarios.
• Technical sizing: preliminary layout, cabling principles, delivery substation, interconnection schemes.
• Site identification and securing: footprint of approx. 100 hectares, access and field constraints.
• Regulatory, legal, land and environmental analysis: concession/PPA framework, permitting requirements, local constraints.
• Detailed financial model: energy yield, CAPEX/OPEX, taxation, IRR, DSCR, 25-year cash flow, LCOE, sensitivities.
• Execution schedule: sequencing, milestones, critical dependencies.
• ESIA scoping and initial ESMP elements (mitigation logic / lender requirements).

2) Rights & permitting

• Operating license obtained (07/2021).
• Completion of land tenure formalities for the footprint (≈ 100 ha).
• Engagement with ministries and stakeholders for environmental review and permitting.
• Structured dialogue with the local community and customary authorities (acceptability / field conditions).

3) Legal & contractual structuring

• Contribution to drafting the PPA (coordination with authorities).
• Identification and mitigation of bankability and legal risks (sensitive clauses, stability conditions, obligations, control mechanisms).
• Support to the grid connection strategy (including local MV reinforcement).

4) Financing / investor preparation

• Preparation of investor documentation: opportunity note, executive summary, technical pack, data room elements.
• Exchanges with lenders/investors and private stakeholders, with alignment on due diligence expectations.

OTHER ASSIGNMENTS (selection) - Funds / IPPs / energy-intensive clients | 2016-2026

Objective

ITargeted interventions on renewables projects and critical infrastructure to qualify an opportunity, de-risk a setup, or strengthen an investor case: due diligence, risk analysis, feasibility reviews, contractual support, financing preparation, and execution arbitrations.

Types of interventions delivered

• Investment analysis / Due diligence (funds & investors)
  Full review of PV projects (technical, interconnection, environment, concession/PPA contracting, development budgets, implementation risks). 
  Representative example: Guinea, 55 MWp PV - analysis in the context of a rights acquisition (2020).
• Owner’s Engineer / Owner’s Advisor for solar concession projects (IPPs / developers)
  Structuring support: techno-economic analysis, regulatory framework, country/execution risks, setup optimization and investor preparation. 
  Example: Mozambique, 30 MWp PV - owner’s advisor assignment (2022).
• Techno-financial “energy autonomy” studies for isolated sites (energy-intensive clients / hospitality / industry)
  Field audits, measurements, hybrid system sizing, economic analysis and investment recommendations. 
  Example: Madagascar - three hotels on a path to energy autonomy (2020).
• Multi-country origination / scouting for “critical infrastructure” opportunities
  Opportunity mapping, analysis of national energy systems, identification of under-monetized resources, and connection with local/institutional stakeholders. 
  Broad country coverage 2022–2024 (field missions and structuring work).

What these assignments have in common

• Deliverables usable for investment committees (assumptions, risks, data gaps, decisions).
• A “real project” approach: interconnection, off-take, administrative framework, land, environment, execution.
• The ability to operate across lenders/investors, operators, and public authorities.