Energy Expert- Short Term Consultancy

Project Background 

The USAID/Lebanon Trade and Investment Facilitation (TIF) Activity facilitates the export of Lebanese goods and services to generate foreign exchange through investments and through reforms of the Business and Investment Enabling Environment (BIEE) that simultaneously promote job creation, income generation and improved livelihoods throughout the country.

TIF has three objectives:

(1) Increased exports of Lebanese goods and services.

(2) Investment facilitation leading to increased domestic investment.

(3) Improved business and investment enabling environment.

Purpose

To expediate implementation of the USAID-supported IM Energy Fund and support the fund’s investment into Lebanese companies, TIF seeks an Energy Expert to conduct on audits and provide recommendations on potential companies seeking investment through the IM Energy Fund. The expert could provide the following illustrative support:

• Conduct walk-thru energy audits on companies assigned by TIF.
• Prepare and submit detailed proposals on energy system needs and relevant cost reductions/savings, etc. (specifically solar photovoltaic systems).
• With companies and alongside IM Energy Fund personnel, prepare, review and evaluate investment proposals.

Responsibilities and Key Tasks

Conduct walk-thru energy audits:

Following the identification of the potential investees, conduct on-site, facility, walk-thru energy audits.

The walk-thru audit includes two primary functions:

Task 1: Facility Examination and General Information Collection

• Conduct meetings with the company/facility managers to understand their needs.
• Inspect and verify facility needs – equipment, energy use and consumption, etc.
• Collect general facility information such as: size, age, construction type, condition and other information (current energy installations, building/production usage, production schedules/output, etc.

Task 2: Inventory Existing Systems and Equipment

• Inventory needs based on a physical inspection of the major electrical and mechanical systems, including, but not limited to – detailed descriptions of mechanical and electrical installations, lighting systems and ventilation systems, motors, pumping equipment, heating and cooling systems, hot water systems, kitchen equipment, laundry equipment, special equipment, generators, furnaces, boilers, etc.

• Collect facility information:

• Facility characteristics and operational capacities/constraints.
• Production process description and flow charts.
• Historical and current utility costs and consumption data (previous 36-months to present if available).

• Evaluate the impact on utility cost and consumption reductions/savings for proposed energy upgrades.
• Summarize energy supplies/consumption at the site (EDL and private generation).
• Establish a relationship (benchmark) between energy consumption and production within the company’s industry (domestic and international), etc. Submittal of detailed proposal of the systems to be funded (specifically solar photovoltaic systems):

Potential companies will solar photovoltaic system details required for finance/investment, including: Bill of Quantities (BOQ), civil structure designs notes, single-line diagrams (SLDs), unit prices, and most importantly the estimated energy yield of the system and the payback period.

The TIF-funded Energy Expert will review technical and financial proposals and submit a final report on his/her recommendations. Each company will required approximately10 to 15 days of effort and the expert will be expected to manage several companies simultaneously.

Qualifications 

• A university degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent with 10 years of relevant experience. (M./Sc.) in Electrical Engineering or related field is a plus.
• Progressive management and technical experience in the design, development, implementation, and procurement of solar systems.
• Experience in business and financial analysis, feasibility studies and resource assessment for solar PV projects (required).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills and ability to liaise with diverse stakeholder groups.
• Strong communication skills - both written and oral – in English and Arabic. 

Assignment Location

The location of this assignment is across Lebanon.

Level of Effort and Period of Performance

• Estimated 10-15 days per company.
• Duration of performance: one (1) year with the possibility of extension.