1. ACT! PROJECT EXPERIENCE
Assignment Scope:
Carry out a Study on development of report on status of implementation of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the update of the NECP (Romanian: Planul Național Integrat în domeniul Energiei și Schimbărilor Climatice – PNIESC.
Donor:
Project “Study on development of report on status of implementation of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the update of the NECP”, funded by Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests of Romania and implemented by ACT! Consultancy Services Ltd. Skopje and Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts
Timing:
April 2023 – ongoing
Activities:
ACT! is a lead partner of the group together with Macedonian Academy of Sciences and Arts (MASA) contracted by the Ministry of Environment, Water and Forests of Romania to carry out a Study on development of report on status of implementation of the Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) and the update of the NECP (Romanian: Planul Național Integrat în domeniul Energiei și Schimbărilor Climatice – PNIESC).
More specifically, ACT! and MASA are implementing the following activities:
- Elaboration of the Report on implementation status of Integrated National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) including decarbonization, energy efficiency, energy security, internal energy market, research, innovation and competitiveness dimensions, policies and measures, and other reporting obligations,
- Elaboration of the preliminary project for updating the NECP including model, and scenarios development, current situation and projections with existing policies and measures, national targets, impact assessment of planned policies and measures, overview and plan the development process, conducting consultations of the draft NECP, preparation of the final document and supports the beneficiaries during the environmental assessment, as well provide assistance to the beneficiaries and all of the key stakeholders during the all activities.
Project summary
The USAID Supporting Energy Law Reform in North Macedonia is a subtask of the USAID project for Development of Regional Energy Markets in Europe and Eurasia (D-REM). The project started in North Macedonia in December 2017, and is focused on provision of technical assistance and capacity building to assist the Government of North Macedonia (GoNM) to comply with European Union (EU) energy policies and regulations, such as defined in the 3rd EU package, and to transpose relevant EU legislation into national legislation. The overall goal of the Project in Macedonia is to enhance the enabling environment in the energy sector, and to provide legal framework for open, transparent and vibrant energy market, and better energy services to households and industry.
Project objectives
USAID Supporting Energy Law Reform in North Macedonia objectives are to:
- Assist GoNM to fully comply and align national legislation with the 3rd EU Energy package and Energy Community (EC) requirements that will create better conditions for development of the energy markets, in line with the principles of competition, transparency and non-discrimination, resulting in better energy services to consumers, both households and industry.
- Assist GoNM to comply with EU Energy Efficiency Directive (EED), and align the national legislation with the EED and EC requirements that will provide legal grounds and favorable conditions for increasing energy efficiency, reducing energy consumption, and development of new energy services and markets for the services, that will ultimately result in creating new jobs.
- Enhance the Renewable Energy (RE) enabling environment to stimulate RE utilization and increase the RE generation, by streamlining the RE investment process and introduction of new incentive schemes in transparent, non-discriminatory and market based procedures that will have positive impact on competition, providing better quality clean energy.
Project Partners
USAID Supporting Energy Law Reform in North Macedonia develops, coordinates and implements activities in collaboration with main project partners:
- Cabinet of the Deputy Prime Minister for Economic Affairs and Coordination of Economic Sectors
- Ministry of Economy
- Energy Regulatory Commission
- Energy Agency
- Renewable Energy Association at Macedonia Chamber of Commerce
Project implementers
USAID Supporting Energy Law Reform in North Macedonia Subtask is implemented by Tetra Tech ES Inc. Arlington, USA (USAID Contractor), and ACT! Consultancy Services Ltd. Skopje (Subcontractor), as part of USAID’s project Development of Regional Energy Markets for Europe and Eurasia.
Assignment Scope:
Strengthened Governance of Domestic and Integrated Regional Energy Markets, Reduced Dependence on Energy Sources Controlled by Malign Actors and Improved Energy System Resilience
Donor:
Connect for Growth Project, funded by USAID and implemented by RTI and subcontractor ACT! Consultancy Services
Timing:
April 2022 - ongoing
Activities:
Assistance to the Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) in drafting/finalizing the Electricity Market Rules, finalize the draft amendments to the Energy law, including mandatory accompanying documents such as Concordance Tables, Regulatory Impact Assessment, Explanatory Memo; Develop gap analysis of the existing legal framework and practice in North Macedonia vis-à-vis the requirements of Energy Community Ministerial Council decisions and drafting legal provisions based on the conclusions and recommendations from the Gap Analysis; Providing assistance to the ERC to prepare Tender documentation for selection of natural gas supplier of last resort.
Assignment Scope:
То improve Kosovo's energy security by strengthening the capacity and sustainability of local institutions to advance energy market development and regional integration and to facilitate investments in energy infrastructure.
Donor:
ПKosovo Energy Sustainability Activity Project, funded by USAID and implemented by TetraTech and subcontractor ACT! Consultancy Services
Timing:
July 2021 - ongoing
Activities:
Included in the implementation of the following project activities: (i) update primary and develop secondary legislation to comply with the Energy Community acquis; (ii) design and conduct tenders for awarding renewable energy sources PPP, and (iii) develop RES investor handbook support for the Government of Kosovo to promote private sector investment in RES generation.
Assignment Scope:
Support the Government of North Macedonia in achieving its goals in the energy sector by creating all policy and legal prerequisites aligned with the Energy Community requirements.
Donor:
Development of Regional Energy Markets Project, funded by USAID and implemented by TetraTech and subcontractor ACT! Consultancy Services
ВTiming:
December 2017 – December 2021
Activities:
Drafted the present Energy Law and the amendments to the law as member of the expert team, drafted set of RE related bylaws, drafted or reviewed and revised other bylaws stemming from the Energy Law, prepared comparative analysis on RE support schemes with focus on premiums and analysis on Guarantees of Origin, supported the preparation and implementation of the following tenders: for selecting universal electricity supplier, for awarding premiums and for selecting off-taker of the electricity generated by RE producers, supported the process of certification of electricity transmission system operator, created enabling environment for prosumers, prepared and delivered presentations at public events, organized RE Stakeholders Forums, etc.
Assignment Scope:
To assist the Inspection Council and inspection authorities in the Republic of North Macedonia in developing and implementing check lists.
Donor:
Improving the Inspection Supervision Project, funded by EBRD and implemented by IDEAS DePo
Timing:
November 2019 – May 2020
Activities:
Develop inspection check lists for at least 20 laws based on previously developed Instructions for creating check lists and templates; coordinate the team of experts that develop the check lists; meet with Inspection Council coordinator and inspection authorities to disc and fine-tune the draft check lists; review and provide proposals for aligning the misdemeanour provisions of the special laws with the new general Law on Misdemeanours.
Assignment Scope:
To streamline renewable energy (RE) project development and investment processes and to establish low emissions development planning processes.
Donor:
USAID funded Project "Clean Energy Investment" implemented by Winrock International Contact person: Mr. Samir Latif, Chief of Party.
Timing:
March 2015 - ongoing
Activities:
Conducting detailed analysis on RE, land (planning, acquisition and conversion) and industrial-green zones legislation and procedures; drafting amendments to various RE and energy efficiency (focus on energy audits) related laws and bylaws; conducting analysis on other countries’ RE and industrial-green zones legislation and feed-in tariff systems; developing Energy Auditors Training Program and supporting its implementation; participation in working groups; delivering presentations and trainings, regular coordination and events with stakeholders and donors in the field of RE and energy efficiency, etc.
Assignment Scope:
Support in establishing the Southeast European Cooperation Initiative Transmission System Planning Project (SECI) as a legal entity in the Republic of Macedonia
Donor:
USAID funded project, implemented by the United States Energy Association Contact person: Mr. William Polen.
Timing:
April 2015 - ongoing
Activities:
Exploring options for transforming SECI TSP into a legal entity in the Republicof Macedonia. Drafting Memo that contains: pros and cons for each option explored, procedures to be taken and documents to be prepared to establish and register the legal entity for each option explored. Preparing a Memorandum of Understanding that contains the steps (commitments) that need to be taken by the SECI TSP parties to establish the entity.
Assignment Scope:
Preparation of technical specification and providing guidelines for developing a website (e-Government solution) for the Inspection Council of the Republic of Macedonia.
Donor:
USAID funded Investment Development and Export Advancement Support (IDEAS) project, implemented by Booz Allen Hamilton and the subcontractor Center for Development Policies IDEAS DePo Contact person: Mr. Goran Lazarevski
Timing:
February 2015 - ongoing
Activities!:
ACT! analysed the existing web sites and systems within the Inspections Council and major inspectorates, and created a detailed technical specification and guidelines for developing web site and e-Government solution for basic inspection matters. ACT! expert gave support in the selection of an IT company to create the web site solution, in the implementation of the solution that will make the work of the inspection authorities more effective and transparent
Assignment Scope:
Analysis of the legal framework, status and implementation of e-Commerce in the Republic of Macedonia.
Donor:
USAID Investment Development and Export Advancement Support (IDEAS) Project, implemented by Booz Allen Hamilton Contact person: Mr. Aleksandar Sahov.
Timing:
May - September 2014
Activities:
ACT! expert identified main stakeholders relevant for successful functioning of e-commerce in Macedonia and held a series of meetings with the working group established for this purpose by the Ministry of Information Society and Administration (MISA) and individual meetings with relevant stakeholders in order to collect information on the situation and functioning of e-commerce in Macedonia. Expert carried out a desk research, drafted the analysis and recommendations and presented these recommendations and findings to IDEAS and MISA.
Assignment Scope:
Assistance to the MISA in analyzing the current ENER solution and the RIA model adequacy and defining recommendations for improvement.
Donor:
USAID Investment Development and Export Advancement Support (IDEAS) Project, implemented by Booz Allen Hamilton
Timing:
July – September 2013
Activities:
ACT! expert helped MISA staff to assess and upgrade ENER and proposed improvements. Our expert undertook review on the existent ENER solution and a comparative analysis to other country solutions and experiences and provided recommendations on long- and short-term basis on the ENER as an instrument, toward creation of a sound and consistent PPD in the public consultation in the regulatory process.
Assignment Scope:
To conduct Gap Analysis on data collection and reporting of the data required for preparation of the national Energy Balance, Greenhouse Gas Inventory, and reporting to the Energy Community.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by Tetra Tech
Timing:
July – September 2012
Activities:
ACT! expert conducted legal analysis in order to identify and recommend legal actions required to be undertaken to support new primary data collection, data quality improvements, and reporting of the data for the Energy Balance, GHG Inventory, and Energy Community requirements.
Assignment Scope:
Analysis of legal, organizational and technical requirements needed to implement e-invoicing in the country and assistance in putting in place appropriate legal framework.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by Deloitte
Timing:
January – December 2012
Activities:
ACT! expert assisted the expat subject matter expert in conducting the analysis and drafting the detailed action plan for the steps that need to be taken by different government institutions. The expert also assisted the Ministry of Finance in drafting amendments to VAT Law and Law on e-signatures, as well as several bylaws.
Assignment Scope:
To review the current training curriculum for economic operators within the Public Procurement Training Center (PPTC), and develop a new training program.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by World Learning
Timing:
January – March 2012
Activities:
ACT! expert conducted analysis of: present public procurement training program, reports on the previously conducted similar survey and evaluation reports of the last 5 completed trainings delivered within PPTC. Based in the analysis, the expert developed detailed public procurement training program for economic operators.
Assignment Scope:
Preparation of the Rulebook on eco-design of energy-related products within the Project.
Donor:
GIZ Coordination Office Montenegro
Timing:
August 2011 – February 2012
Activities:
ACT! expert drafted Rulebook on eco-design of energy-related products, in which relevant EU legislation was transposed, including drafting Tables of Compliance. Regional experiences were taken into consideration and adapted into the national legal environment.
Assignment Scope:
The aim of the intervention was to evaluate the level of satisfaction of the PPB target audience from PPB services and assess progress in performance that PPB made upon implementation of a series of interventions within the Program.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by World Learning
Timing:
December 2010 – March 2011
Activities:
ACT! expert conducted person-to-person interviews with representatives from 26 Contracting Authorities and 25 Economic Operators, drafted a report containing findings and recommendations in the area of public procurement and presented the report to the beneficiary and donor representatives.
Assignment Scope:
Mobilisation of the local resources of the City of Skopje, promotion of the potentials of the municipalities and the available locations for investment are reflected in the “Guidebook for Investors” whose goal is to serve as useful tool for increasing the interest of the domestic and foreign investors for investing in the City of Skopje.
Donor:
City of Skopje
Timing:
December 2010 – April 2011
Activities:
ACT! experts were engaged through a tender procedure to devise concept and content of the guide, to gather necessary data for potential offer of the city and its municipalities to investors in order to attract them, and to provide descriptive and visual presentation.
Assignment Scope:
Report on e-Commerce which contains detailed findings and recommendations of all legal, administrative and practical aspects of the e-Commerce in the Republic of Macedonia.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by Internews
Timing:
August – November 2010
Activities:
ACT! expert by conducting interviews, analysis of relevant reports, statistics and regulation, drafted a Report on e-Commerce situation in the Republic of Macedonia, which was presented on a workshop to the stakeholders.
Assignment Scope:
Development, implementation and promotion of e-Government services and ICT in general with the aim to increase the transparency and efficiency of the Government institutions.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by Internews
Timing:
August 2010 – March 2011
Activities:
ACT! was outsourced to provide legal, administrative and other services, including but not limiting to: analysis and drafting of relevant pieces of legislation; delivery of trainings and presentations, especially in the areas of: public procurement, import-export procedures, employment registration, electronic signatures and data; drafting Contracts, MoUs, plans and reports; tender preparation and evaluation, project management, etc.
Assignment Scope:
Report on the organizational set-up of the Invest Promotion Agency from the aspect of trade promotion.
Donor:
USAID, implemented by Booz Allen Hamilton Inc.
Timing:
November – December 2009
Activities:
ACT! was outsourced to prepare Report (Comparative analysis and recommendations) of the institutional set up of the national Agency Invest in Macedonia with other similar foreign institutions vested with double responsibilities (investment and export promotion). The Report was handed over to the Ministry of Economy and the Agency.
Assignment Scope:
Analysis of the Macedonian Export Industry
Donor:
GTZ Coordination Office in Skopje
Timing:
May – July 2009
Activities:
ACT! experts were engaged by GTZ to prepare a questionnaire, conduct interviews and survey with selected number of export-oriented Macedonian companies and provide final analysis and recommendations on the matter.
Assignment Scope:
Conducting surveys on investment related issues.
Donor:
World Bank Group
Timing:
April 2009 and October 2011
Activities:
ACT! experts were engaged to conduct surveys on the following 4 investment related topics: starting a foreign business, investing across sectors, accessing land and arbitrating disputes.
Assignment Scope:
Improve the status of minorities groups and to strengthen capacities for active participation in public policy making on local and national level.
Donor:
European Commission in the framework of the EIDHR and FOSIM, implemented by NGO Common Values
Timing:
July-October 2008
Activities:
Under the 2nd project component (Lobbying & Advocacy and Building Public Awareness) ACT! expert was engaged to develop the following publication: “Guide through the national legislation in the area of language usage”, which once published was also promoted and presented to stakeholders by the expert.
