Renewable Energy Consultant, Sustainable Energy Project

The objectives are designed to provide collaborative knowledge, data, and practical experience to strengthen TCIG's energy frameworks and capacity to scale sustainable energy long-term.

Turks and Caicos Islands

Terms of Reference

(SPECIAL PROJECT)

Date Published:        Thursday, November 3, 2022

(Updated)

Consultancy Title:    Renewable Energy Consultant, Sustainable Energy Project

Project Title:              Transitioning Towards Green Energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands

GRADE:                      Special Project supported by RESEMBID/EDF 11th

DURATION:                Over approximately 6months through to December 2023   

START DATE:           November 2022

REMUNERATION:   30, 000 EUR

MINISTRY/INSTITUTION:                             Ministry of Home Affairs, Transportation, Broadcasting, Energy and Utilities and Telecommunications Commission, Turks and Caicos Islands Government

DEPARTMENT/DIVISION:                            Energy and Utilities Department (EUD)

LOCATION:                                                    Flexible

REPORTS DIRECTLY TO:                            Project Officer, Sustainable Energy Project

REPORTS INDIRECTLY TO:                        Energy and Utilities Commissioner (EUD) (Acting)/Energy Analyst

____________________________________________________________________________

PROJECT BACKGROUND

The Turks and Caicos Islands Government (TCIG) proposes comprehensive strategic activities to accelerate sustainable energy, increase energy resilience, and support green economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic. The project, composed of four interlocking objectives, targets strategic pathways in data collection, experience with resilient energy projects, legislative and financial analysis, energy efficiency standards development, public education, technical training, hurricane resilient solar streetlights installations, and market studies to advance the transition and benefit a population of over 44,000 Turks and Caicos Islands (TCI) residents. The objectives are designed to provide collaborative knowledge, data, and practical experience to strengthen TCIG's energy frameworks and capacity to scale sustainable energy long-term.

The overall objective of this project is to contribute to the acceleration of a reliable, resilient, and environmentally sustainable energy sector in TCI. It will also strengthen the capacity for sustainable energy transition in TCI through investment in capacity building, development of modern legislative and regulatory frameworks through catalytic pilot projects.

PROJECT SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES

The specific objective of this project is to strengthen the capacity of the TCI for a sustainable energy transition. It is against this impact statement to create long-term and meaningful change within the energy sector and across public systems that the following set of outcomes and actions are proposed.

Component 1: Catalytic pilot energy projects implemented.

Output 1a: Solar PV Microgrids

At the end of the project, a solar roof-top feasibility, and structural assessments of five (5) essential government critical facilities (including 4 clinics and TCI’s disaster management headquarters) for solar PV and energy efficiency upgrades will be conducted. The necessary data to support the project will be collected and analysed, including a capacity needs assessment (CNA). Catalytic pilot energy projects will be implemented to reduce TCI’s dependency on imported fossil fuel. Additionally, energy audits will be conducted to assist in designing Solar PV systems and Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) for the critical facilities identified.

Output 1b. Solar Streetlights

140 hurricane resilient solar streetlights on North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk, Salt Cay, and Providenciales will be installed.

Component 2: Applicable laws and regulations, policies related to the national energy transition strategy critically reviewed and Energy efficiency market transitions are strengthened.

A comprehensive review of existing energy legal and regulatory frameworks, including the Electricity Ordinance, Customs Ordinance, Physical Development Ordinance, Development Manual, Building Code, Energy Policy, and housing policies will be conducted and proposed amendments will be made to existing applicable laws, regulations, and policies in TCI. A financial and investment analysis on RE and EE technologies will also be conducted.

A strategy for the market transition towards efficient energy-consuming products and appliances will be developed in accordance with the criteria of CARICOM Regional Organisation for Standards and Quality (CROSQ). A draft report on the recommendations (regulations, define procedures and infrastructure needs, and outline procedures for market surveillance) will be prepared by the project. A report on financial and investment analysis of RE will also be prepared under this component of the project.

Component 3: Increased national conversations, interests, and knowledge awareness surrounding sustainable energy and TCI's green energy transition

A Communications and Visibility plan, and a Community Outreach, Awareness, and Communication Strategy will be prepared and implemented, including but not limited to the development of EUD website. The design and distribution of flyers, brochures, posters, billboards, press releases, radio & TV interviews, town hall/public meetings will be populated on the UED website periodically.

Component 4: Improved institutional capacity building for energy transition and economic Diversification

At the end of the project the local capacity of TCI residents to participate in the transition towards green energy will be enhanced. A cadre of local experts on RE and EE will be established to support TCIs green energy transition.

SCOPE OF WORK:

The Renewable Energy Consultant will provide services to the Sustainable Energy Project of the Turks and Caicos Islands under the RESEMBID Project entitled Transitioning Towards Green Energy in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The project is composed of comprehensive strategic activities to accelerate sustainable energy, increase energy resilience, and support green economic recovery.

The Renewable Energy Consultant will provide technical assistance for the successful installation of solar photovoltaic (PV) systems with battery energy storage systems for five (5) critical facilities on 4 islands and provide technical support for the successful installation of 140 solar streetlights across TCI - Component 1 of the project.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

The Renewable Energy (RE) Consultant will work closely with other members of the project team, including the steering committee and other hired consultants, EUD, Fortis TCI, and other government ministries.

Key deliverables will include

1)     Participate in the solar PV site assessments including validation and structural assessments of the facilities to accommodate solar PV systems in accordance with national and/or international building codes, policies, and standards.

2)     Assist with interconnection assessments in collaboration with Fortis TCI and in accordance with the interconnection requirements of TCI.

3)     Review the preliminary design of the solar PV system and energy storage system in accordance with the available budget, the facility's installation capacity, and energy requirements in accordance with national/or international codes, policies, and standards.

4)     Participate in the evaluation and execution of the EPC contract for the installation of the recommended energy efficiency equipment and solar PV systems with battery storage systems in accordance with the procurement and technical regulations of Expertise France and TCI.

5)     Assist with the procurement process of an EPC contractor for 140 streetlights in on North Caicos, Middle Caicos, South Caicos, Grand Turk, Salt Cay, and Providenciales within the available budget and procurement regulations of Expertise France and TCI.

6)     Assist with supervising the work done by EPCs/contractors and subcontractors

7)     Prepare periodic reports

8)     Perform other ancillary tasks assigned by the Project Officer and authorities from within EUD/MOHAT assigned to the project.

TIMELINE OF DELIVERABLES AND PAYMENT SCHEDULE

 Original, full-resolution files of all materials created under this consultancy shall be delivered to the EUD and approved by the project team prior to payments

REQUIRED SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

The minimum key skills and expertise of the consultant shall cover the following:

Education

1)     Diploma or higher in Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or equivalent is required.

2)     Certified RE professionals are highly recommended for this consultancy

Experience and Competencies

1)     Minimum of 5 years of professional experience in the areas of renewable energy, energy efficiency, energy audits, or an equivalent combination of experience.

2)     Familiarity or ability to become familiar with the TCI’s power sector and regulatory requirements.

3)     Fluency in English, both written and spoken.

4)     Fully computer literate. Proficient in the use of Office tools such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint.

5)     Ability to work in complex, multi-stakeholder project environments.

SUBMISSION MATERIALS

1. Copy of an updated CV
2. Valid copies of all relevant certificates
3. A cover letter

OTHER BENEFITS:

1. One round-trip international travel (if the consultant is from outside TCI)
2. Local travel to visit the site (regular flights or Ferry only) - chartered flight/boat is not covered.

Other expenses not stated above will be covered by the consultant.

Note: Nationality requirements, please see: Rules on Nationality and Origin for Public Procurement, Grants and Other Award Procedures for RESEMBID Programme. Source: https://resembid.org/cfp/

Deadline for submission of application (updated): Friday November 11, 2022

All application documents should be sent to: energyandutilities @ gov.tc

Only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.