REQUEST FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST (CONSULTING SERVICES – FIRMS SELECTION)

Regional Off-Grid Electrification Project / Project Preparation Advance No. V074

Assignment Title: Regional Off-Grid Solar Market Assessment and Private Sector Support Facility Design

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 assessment of the market for off-grid solar systems, and the recommendation of the most realistic market-based mechanism(s) that will lead to scaling up access using solar technologies supplied by the private sector.

This assessment will be carried out to the all 19 countries of the project, 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 market assessment will be accomplished through the completion of following 4 tasks:

i) Conduct assessments of the current state of electricity access and the enabling market environment for each country, including the review of trade conditions for renewable energy equipment at regional and national level;

ii) Describe and quantify demand and supply for lanterns, off-grid solar systems for households, private enterprises and public bodies for each country;

iii) Assess the level, capability and willingness of existing financial institutions to provide financing to private off-grid solar companies for each country;

iv) Based on i), ii), and iii) suggest mechanisms on how to incentivize the private sector and financial institutions to enter or expand off-grid solar in all 19 target countries. Suggestions on how to strengthen the enabling market environment towards a harmonized regional solar market is also needed.

The Services will be carried out over a five (5) months period and the output will be a single written report for the region supported by individual country reports according to standard formats to be provided, and with a view to internal and external publication. 

For additional information, please download the Terms of Reference available below.

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 of the firm in assessing off-grid solar PV market in developing countries including Sub-Saharan African countries and West Africa in particular;
• Experience of the firm in analyzing trade conditions for energy equipment
• Experience of the firm in engaging face to face with the central and local government officials, power utility management, private sector, banking sector, development agency representatives and mobile telecom sector in multiple countries;
• Experience of the firm in developing sustainable and effective delivery models to significantly scale up a market-based dissemination of off grid solar 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 2016 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 Quality-and Cost- Based Selection (QCBS) 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 [email protected] CC [email protected] ) by 18^th June 2017, clearly indicating the title of the assignment and the name of the project.

ECOWAS Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

Attn: Nicola Bugatti, Project Coordinator

Achada Santo Antonio, Electra Building, 2nd floor, C.P. 288, Praia, Cabo Verde

Tel: +238 2604630

E-mail: [email protected]