REQUEST FOR EXPRESSION OF INTEREST (2022/EOI/005) FOR THE SOLARIZATION OF UNHCR DEEP FIELD COMPOUNDS - KENYA, SOUTH SUDAN
Purpose of this document
UNHCR seeks qualified companies for the provision of solar electricity as a service. The purpose of this Expression of Interest (EOI) is to:
- Obtain information on the experience, expertise, capability and financial resources of interested companies/consortia; and
- Establish a shortlist of pre-qualified bidders for the next tender stage.
This tender will be run as a two-stage process with this first EOI stage followed by a Request for Proposal (RFP)/ Request for Proposals for the pre-qualified bidders, which is planned to be launched during 2023.
Project background
In 2007, the United Nations (UN) system embarked on a journey to integrate environmental sustainability in its facilities and operations. In 2020, the UN system generated ~1.5 million tonnes CO2eq greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with per capita emissions of 5 tonnes CO2eq. The sources of the emissions were 32 per cent from air travel, 12 per cent from other travel (rail, road, sea, etc.) and 55 per cent from facilities.
One major source of emissions is linked to the fact that UNHCR and WFP run diesel generators, particularly in large field compounds in ‘deep field’ Africa operations. Converting these compounds to solar energy could have both a positive carbon impact and a positive financial impact, since solar energy is expected to be cheaper than existing diesel/fossil fuel generation in many geographies.
UNHCR and WFP are committed to improve their environmental performance, climate compatibility and resource efficiency by reducing its use of fossil fuels, purchasing green energy from reliable suppliers and undertaking other sustainability initiatives. However, the upfront investment needed to support such a transition to clean energy and sustainable infrastructure can be significant and for UNHCR and WFP to provide this, it would compete for limited resources with humanitarian priorities.
The compounds considered for solarization under this tender generally comprise offices hosting UNHCR and/ or WFP’s administrative, support and management services and, in certain locations, accommodation hosting UNHCR and/ or WFP staff and/or partner organizations’ premises. Although adjacent to or located near the operational sites managed by UNHCR, compounds are distinct from the actual sites hosting refugee communities. All sites considered for this procurement modality are estimated to have a system size of around 500kWp.
In close collaboration with the German Cooperation (GIZ), UNHCR has conducted a first round of competitive procurement of electricity from private sector independent power producers (IPPs) for a first set of diesel-powered operations in East Africa.
Sustainable Procurement practices integrate requirements, specifications, and criteria that are compatible and in favour of the protection of the environment, the social progress and in support of economic development. These practices seek resource efficiency, improve the quality of products and services, and ultimately optimize costs (HLCM Procurement Network). Sustainable Procurement is one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) (goals 12 and 12.7), and it also contributes to the achievement of all SDGs. This procurement opportunity is considered sustainable as it incorporates at least three sustainability considerations, in accordance with the HLCM Procurement Network's Sustainable Procurement Working Group - Sustainability Indicators Framework. To learn more about which considerations are included in this procurement opportunity, please see below for a specific description. For more information, contact the procurement official or author of this procurement opportunity.
The tender contains sustainability considerations for preventing or minimizing damage associated with climate change.
Examples:
Energy efficiency, greenhouse gas reporting and emission offsetting.
The tender contains sustainability considerations addressing gender equality and women's empowerment.
Examples:
Gender mainstreaming, targeted employment of women, promotion of women-owned businesses.
The tender contains sustainability considerations related to human rights, fundamental principles and rights at work, occupational health and safety, fairly traded goods, targeted employment of people with disabilities, etc.
The tender contains sustainability considerations regarding local MSMEs, local communities or disadvantaged groups.
Examples:
Reserved labour opportunities for local communities, use of local materials, reserved procurements for local companies
The tender contains sustainability considerations for the prevention of polluting emissions to air, solid waste to land and discharges to water.
Examples:
EMS, waste management and wastewater management.
The tender contains sustainability considerations promoting health and general well-being of consumers/ recipients of the good or service.
Examples:
Hazardous chemicals handling, labelling of chemicals.
This indicator summarizes sustainability considerations that relate to inclusion of a person with disability.
Examples:
Organizational policy on disability inclusion, recruiting people with disabilities, accessible premises, disability-inclusive supply chains, and manufacturing accessible products.
| Link | Description | |
|---|---|---|
| https://www.unhcr.org/ | UNHCR's official website |