The Africa Clean Energy (ACE) Technical Assistance Facility (TAF) is a 4-year programme which started in 2018 and aims to catalyse a market-based approach for private sector delivery of renewable energy electrification technologies, with a focus on high-quality stand-alone solar (SAS) systems. Funded by the Foreign, Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO), and implemented by Tetra Tech International Development, ACE TAF is working in 14 African Countries namely; Ethiopia, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Somalia, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
The programme has three pillars:
1. Enabling Environment: Assisting governments to put in place appropriate policies and regulations, supporting market development and improving quality standards to catalyse private sector delivery of stand-alone solar systems.
2. Knowledge Management: Generating and disseminating knowledge and evidence on the success factors for, and benefits of, private sector delivery of off-grid solar energy, including the application of learning.
3. Coordination: Promoting Collaboration between various stakeholders in the sector including other initiatives and programmes while encouraging other donors to contribute towards ACE objectives and activities.
ACE TAF seeks to recruit a consulting firm to develop Somalia’s Off Grid Strategy with specific focus to Stand-Alone Solar (SAS).
Background
Somalia’s current national electricity access is estimated at 15% with only 4% access in the rural areas. The legislative framework is at development stage with the Federal Energy Policy aiming to promote “Energy for All” at draft stage. The Federal Government of Somalia’s Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR) is working together with ACE TAF support to develop the Somalia’s Off-Grid Strategy (OGS).
Objective
The overall objective of the strategy is to identify the strategic policy, regulatory and market actions to be implemented by the government and private sector players in order create an enabling environment for expanded access to energy via stand-alone solar systems.
Scope of work
The ACE TAF contribution to the broader Off Grid Strategy will investigate opportunities to improve the enabling environment for deployment of Stand Alone Solar (SAS). To inform this strategy, the consultant will:
· Undertake literature review and propose recommendations of policy directions which may inform the development of the Off Grid Strategy particularly looking to incorporate: Somalia’s Tax Policy for the OGS, E-waste management, and the development of standards for the various technologies (pico solar, mini grid);
· Conduct geospatial mapping documenting the status of rural electrification across five states particularly documenting the needs for pico solar for communities who cannot be served through the installation of mini grids;
· Develop a sensitivity analysis tool to inform to inform the optimal mix of technologies for rural electrification;
· Propose procedures that facilitate the importation of high quality and affordable SAS such as fiscal and import incentives;
· Document and propose a full menu of rural electrification options – grid extension and off-grid (mini-grid & stand-alone);
· Incorporate the adoption of international quality standards in the OGS and raising consumer awareness about them to prevent market spoilage from sub-standard products;
· Propose recommendations for end-user finance e.g. through mobile payment mechanisms and micro-finance;
· Address capacity gaps and linkages between the sector and productive end uses.
Requirements
The consultants/ consulting firm undertaking this assignment shall have necessary credentials to undertake the job by virtue of its successful completion of similar assignments. The consultant shall have expertise in resources mapping, regional and bottom-up planning, electricity generation, micro/ mini hydro, other RETs, load forecasting, generation expansion, socio-economic studies and sustainable development.
In addition, a public policy expert, and preferably with experience in the energy sector, will be required as part of the team to implement this activity.
The consultants will need to have worked in Somalia and have adequate local context.
Timelines
This assignment is expected to be implemented over a 9-month period.
Submission Date:
Applications and all supporting documentation must be submitted no later than 5.00 PM EAT on 25th February 2021.
To apply for this role:
Obtain more details/ ask questions about this assignment via https://www.tetratech.com/en/careers or email shaleen.munuhe@tetratech.com.
