Development of implementation frameworks for private investment in the off-grid electrification of public institutions and to promote productive uses of electricity from standalone solar systems in Niger and Nigeria

The ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (“ECREEE”) has received financing from the World Bank toward the cost of the preparation of proposed Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project in West Africa and intends to apply part of the proceeds for consulting services.

The consulting services (“the Services”) include the development of implementation frameworks to (i) electrify public institutions through standalone solar system by involving the private sector, and (ii) promote productive uses of electricity through standalone solar systems.

The broader focus is for frameworks that can be implemented in Niger and Nigeria with indications on their applicability and replicability across the whole target region of 19 countries, which are: Republic of Benin, Republic of Cabo Verde, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa Republic, Republic of Chad, Republic of Côte D’Ivoire, Islamic Republic of the Gambia, Republic of Ghana, Republic of Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Republic of Liberia, Republic of Mali, Islamic Republic of Mauritania, Republic of Niger, Nigeria, Republic of Senegal, Republic of Sierra Leone and Republic of Togo.

The following tasks are foreseen for this assignment:

• Task 1: Describe the potential market of off grid electrification of the different types of public institutions in Niger and Nigeria;
• Task 2: Take stock and analyze current, past and planned PPP initiatives locally and internationally to electrify public institutions via off-grid renewable energy systems and the applicability to the local context on Niger and Nigeria;
• Task 3: Take stock of recent innovations in productive uses of standalone solar systems, specifically in agriculture and SME sector and their applicability to local context on Niger and Nigeria.
• Task 4: Analyze the institutional, legal, financial, regulatory and policy framework of Niger and Nigeria and identify viable tailored schemes for private sector involvement;
• Task 5: Assess the interest of local and international companies to invest in this type of projects under the different identified schemes;
• Task 6: Assess the interest of local and international finance institutions to finance this type of projects under the different identified schemes;
• Task 7: Suggest the most suitable implementation frameworks in Niger and Nigeria;
• Task 8: Provide recommendations on how to apply the identified frameworks to the whole West African region.

The Services will be carried out over a twenty-three (23) weeks period and the output will be a written report for each Niger and Nigeria in their national language and in English and a written report with recommendations on how to apply the identified framework to the whole West African region in English.

For additional information, see the Terms of Reference at:

http://www.ecreee.org/sites/default/files/documents/jobs/tor_private_investment_in_the_off-grid_electrification_of_public_institutions_and_pue.pdf

The ECREEE now invites eligible consulting firms (“Consultants”) to indicate their interest in providing the Services. Interested Consultants should provide information demonstrating that they have the required qualifications and relevant experience to perform the Services. The shortlisting criteria are: (Brochures, description of similar assignments, experience of working in a similar geographical region, availability of appropriate skills among staff etc.)

Furthermore, firms will be shortlisted based on the following criteria:  

• Experience in assessing off-grid renewable energy markets, particularly for public institutions and productive uses, in developing countries including Sub-Saharan African countries and West Africa in particular;
• Experience in working in the electricity sector, in particular off-grid, in Nigeria and Niger;
• Experience in engaging face to face with the public, commercial, and banking sectors in multiple countries;
• Experience in establishing PPP frameworks in Sub-Saharan African countries and West Africa in particular;
• Experience in developing sustainable and effective delivery models to significantly scale up a market-based dissemination of off grid renewable energy solutions.

The attention of interested Consultants is drawn to paragraph in paragraphs 3.14 to 3.17 of the World Bank’s  Procurement Regulations for Investment Project Financing Borrowers of July 2017 for Goods, Works, Non-Consulting and Consulting Services setting forth the World Bank’s policy on conflict of interest. 

Consultants may associate with other firms in the form of a joint venture or a sub-consultancy to enhance their qualifications and are encouraged to associate with qualified local firms.

A consultant will be selected in accordance with the Consultant’s Qualification-based Selection (CQS) method set out in the Consultant Guidelines.

Further information can be obtained at the address below during office hours (09:00 to 17:00 hours).

Expressions of interest must be delivered in a written form to the address below (in person, or by mail, or by e-mail at tender[a]ecreee.org and CC slima[a]ecreee.org ; sdiallo[a]ecreee.org ; nbugatti[a]ecreee.org ; yhandem[a]ecreee.org ) by 25^th May 2018, clearly indicating the title of the assignment and the name of the project.

ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
Attn: Sire Diallo, Coordinator of the private sector support facility
Achada Santo Antonio, Electra Building, 2nd floor, C.P. 288, Praia, Cabo Verde
E-mail: sdiallo[a]ecreee.org