Scope of Work:

The Senior Renewable Energy Engineer will report to GGGI’s energy and investment team and coordinate with the Guyana Energy Agency (GEA), the Department of Environment (DOE), and the Private Sector Commission (PSC). S/he will liaise closely with the Guyana Power&Light (GPL) throughout the assignment to ensure the utility’s buy-in and support for the proposed projects. The scope of work comprises:

A. Output 1: Preparation of the Urban Sector Solar Energy Program (7 person-months)

(i) In consultation with private sector consumers and solar companies in Guyana undertake the identification, preparation of feasible design and specifications and costs options, and undertaking of financial and economic analysis in accordance with requirements  of financiers for a confirmed project pipeline of about 10-20 MW (or more) of embedded solar generation for commercial and industrial consumers; this work will include the development of environment and social criteria and undertaking of screening/assessment and identification of risks  in accordance with IFC’s performance standards; prepare a standard detailed project due diligence report for review by financiers. 

(ii) Support the GGGI energy and investment team in the consultation with financiers and mobilization of financing with the ultimate outcome of putting in place a private sector financeable pipeline of embedded solar generation projects.

(iii) Preparation and implementation of a timebound activity-based awareness plan to increase the awareness and buy-in for solar technologies and procurement approaches amongst the private and public sector stakeholders;

(iv) Undertake awareness building through trainings, hands-on support and preparation of pro-forma cash flow projection options etc for consumers and solar companies for alternative business model option (for instance leasing vis-à-vis alternative financing modalities) aimed at addressing up-front cost barriers and increasing penetration of embedded solar generation for businesses in Guyana.

(v) Provide an overview of the supply-side solar market in Guyana outlining the status of development and risks, as well as recommendations for enhancing market penetration. Prepare proposed selection criteria in accordance with requirements by financiers for the participation by solar companies: undertake and prepare due diligence reports of proposed solar companies.

(vi) Assess the technical and financial/commercial institutional and regulatory barriers and prepare recommendations for addressing such barriers. This may include, but is not limited to, the preparation of technical specifications and standards for equipment and measures to address any impact on the network from reverse flows, the preparation of commercial arrangements and associated specifications and templates for net metering, net-billing or feed-in-tariffs, licensing/registration requirements, and application for prevailing tax incentives.

(vii) Support the DOE, GEA, GPL, and PSC with “technical know-how” aspects, consultations and the preparation of briefing notes to increase awareness and political buy-in for embedded solar generation.

(viii) Support and advise GPL throughout the assignment on the monitoring and assessment (load flow analysis scenarios) of the proposed pipeline of solar PV projects.

B. Output 2: Scaling Renewable Energy Program (SREP, conditional upon approval of GCF readiness financing: 7 person-months)

(i) Provide an assessment of the commercial and technical feasibility of existing renewable energy priority off-grid, mini-grid and grid projects.

(ii) Identify potential pipelines of renewable energy off-grid, mini-grid, and grid project options that accounts for a diversified mix of renewable domestic resources; assess the potential for each of the proposed generation options with indicative cost estimates and commercial viability; prepare prioritized least cost diversified investment plans for off-grid, mini-grid, and grid-connected renewable energy generation.

(iii) Support the GEA, GPL, and DOE in renewable policy development, regulatory aspects, including technical advice on feed-in tariffs, procurement processes and templates, policy and regulatory incentives, in support of scaling up renewable energy.

(iv) Provide hands-on support for the development of requirements and template for power purchase agreement (PPA) for GPL grid connected options as appropriate; propose procurement approaches and provide operational hands-on support for the development of standard tender documents.

(v) Support the GGGI team in undertaking market sounding of potential financiers and guarantees (as appropriate) to assess the appetite for Guyana with the aim of mobilizing climate finance and leverage private sector investments in support of scaling up renewable energy in Guyana.    

Output/Reporting Requirements/Deliverables:

The consultancy assignment comprises two outputs comprising the delivery of the USSEP including the delivery of bankable projects and associated regulatory support, and the SREP, which entails longer term prioritized investment options and associated regulatory and policy support to scale up renewable energy in Guyana.  Output 2 is conditional upon the approval of financing from GCF Readiness.

The consultant shall prepare monthly progress reports comprising the preceding months activities and key outcomes, and planned activities for the forthcoming quarter. Monthly progress reports shall be submitted during the first week of each month throughout this consultancy assignment. Additional reporting and delivery requirements are as follows:

*Final reports will be submitted within 2 weeks of receiving comments from GGGI and GoG comments on the draft reports

Qualifications/Experience/Expertise

(i) Advanced academic degree in the field of engineering, energy planning and/or a combination of engineering and economics or finance.

(ii) A minimum of 15 years of operational experience in the energy sector comprising project preparation, due diligence and implementation, procurement, and renewable energy planning; of which 7 years in a developing or emerging market in the context of renewable energy development and planning; experience from working with the distribution subsector on integration of variable energy is highly desirable.

(iii) Documented experience of tendering requirements/performance specifications and processes of independent power producers in the renewable energy subsector.

(iv) Experience of requirements and procedures of international financing institutions, bilateral and multilateral donors/organizations is desirable.

(v) Excellent writing, negotiation and communication skills

(vi) Fluency in English, is required.