Request for Proposals: Investment Projects for Decarbonisation Solutions (Vietnam)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Viet Nam is inviting qualified consultancy firms, research institutes, and organizations to develop investment projects that support the decarbonisation of thermal coal power plants in Viet Nam under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP). The selected contractor will identify financially viable greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation investments and prepare two bankable investment proposals that contribute to Viet Nam’s clean energy transition and climate commitments.

Overview of the UNDP Viet Nam Decarbonisation Project

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Viet Nam has launched a call for proposals seeking experienced consultancy firms, institutes, and organizations to provide technical expertise for developing investment projects focused on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from thermal coal power plants.

The assignment forms part of the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), an international initiative supporting Viet Nam’s transition towards a cleaner, lower-carbon energy system while ensuring economic growth and energy security.

The selected organization will assess emission reduction opportunities, prioritize investments, and prepare bankable project proposals suitable for future financing.

About the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP)

The Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) is an international financing and cooperation framework designed to help countries accelerate the transition from fossil fuels to clean energy while ensuring a fair and inclusive transition for workers, industries, and communities.

In Viet Nam, JETP supports:

Decarbonisation of the power sector
Greenhouse gas emission reduction
Clean energy investment
Climate finance mobilization
Sustainable economic development
Energy security and resilience

This consultancy assignment contributes directly to these national objectives.

Objectives of the Assignment

The consultancy will support UNDP by:

Identifying financially viable greenhouse gas mitigation investments.
Developing practical decarbonisation solutions for selected coal-fired power plants.
Prioritizing investment opportunities using transparent evaluation methods.
Preparing bankable investment proposals for future financing.
Supporting Viet Nam’s transition toward cleaner energy systems.
Strengthening investment readiness for climate finance.

Key Focus Areas

The project focuses on:

Thermal coal power plant decarbonisation
Greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction
Energy transition
Climate finance
Energy efficiency
Investment planning
Financial modelling
Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
Cost-benefit analysis
Sustainable energy development

Scope of Work

The selected consultancy will undertake several technical activities throughout the assignment.

Review Existing Mitigation Plans

The project includes reviewing existing greenhouse gas emission mitigation plans developed for selected thermal power plants.

Consultants will standardize identified mitigation measures to ensure consistency and alignment with national policies.

Assess Investment Opportunities

Each mitigation measure will be evaluated based on:

Technical feasibility
Financial viability
Economic performance
Environmental benefits
Implementation potential

Conduct Cost-Effectiveness Analysis

Applicants will assess:

Investment costs
Operating costs
Greenhouse gas reduction potential
Economic returns
Environmental impacts
Long-term sustainability

Develop Investment Prioritization Framework

The consultancy will establish a transparent scoring methodology that prioritizes investments according to:

Climate impact
Financial attractiveness
Technical readiness
Regulatory compliance
Investment feasibility

Prepare Bankable Investment Proposals

One of the major outputs is the preparation of:

Two bankable investment proposals

These proposals should be suitable for financing through the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) and other potential climate finance mechanisms.

Relevant Regulatory Framework

The consultancy work must comply with Viet Nam’s regulatory framework, including:

Decree No. 06/2022/ND-CP
Decree No. 119/2025/ND-CP
Circular No. 38/2023/TT-BCT
Other applicable national regulations relating to greenhouse gas mitigation and energy transition.

Funding and Contract Information

UNDP will award a consultancy contract based on the proposal that provides the best overall value for money.

Rather than selecting the lowest-priced proposal, the evaluation will consider both technical quality and financial competitiveness.

Evaluation Criteria

Applications will be assessed using a combined technical and financial evaluation.

Technical Evaluation (70%)

Technical proposals will be assessed based on:

Organizational expertise
Relevant project experience
Technical methodology
Workplan and implementation strategy
Project management structure
Qualifications of key experts

Financial Evaluation (30%)

Only proposals that successfully meet the technical evaluation threshold will proceed to financial assessment.

Financial proposals should demonstrate:

Cost-effectiveness
Realistic budgeting
Value for money

Who is Eligible?

Eligible applicants include:

Consultancy firms
Research institutes
Professional organizations

Preference is given to:

Locally registered consulting firms in Viet Nam
Research institutes operating in Viet Nam
Organizations working within the energy or power sector

Required Organisational Experience

Applicants should demonstrate experience in:

Energy sector consultancy
Power sector advisory services
Greenhouse gas inventories
Measurement, Reporting and Verification (MRV)
Climate change mitigation
Cost-benefit analysis
Energy investment planning
Financial modelling
Decarbonisation strategies
Energy policy development

Required Project Team Expertise

The proposed team should include specialists with expertise in:

Energy systems
Thermal power engineering
Greenhouse gas inventory
MRV systems
Climate policy
Energy finance
Investment analysis
Financial modelling

Required Application Documents

Applicants should submit:

Company profile
Registration certificate
Audited financial statements
Proposal submission form
Recent project references
Ongoing project information
Performance certificates
Curriculum Vitae (CVs) of key personnel

Applications should also include separate technical and financial proposals.

How to Apply

Follow these steps to submit a competitive proposal.

Step 1: Review the Request for Proposal

Carefully examine the Terms of Reference (ToR), eligibility requirements, evaluation criteria, and submission instructions.

Step 2: Prepare the Technical Proposal

The technical proposal should clearly explain:

Organizational experience
Proposed methodology
Workplan
Implementation schedule
Team composition
Risk management approach

Step 3: Prepare the Financial Proposal

Develop a detailed financial proposal that reflects realistic project costs while providing value for money.

The financial proposal must be submitted separately from the technical proposal.

Step 4: Compile Supporting Documents

Gather all required documentation, including registration certificates, financial statements, project references, and staff CVs.

Step 5: Submit Through the UNDP Supplier Portal

Complete the application through the UNDP Supplier Portal before the published deadline.

Late or incomplete submissions may not be considered.

Selection Process

The selection process includes:

Eligibility screening.
Technical evaluation.
Financial evaluation of technically qualified proposals.
Best value for money assessment.
Contract award.

UNDP reserves the right to reject proposals that fail to meet the stated requirements and is not obligated to award the contract to the lowest-priced bidder.

Why This Opportunity Matters

This consultancy provides an opportunity to contribute directly to Viet Nam’s national climate objectives and energy transition.

The project will help:

Reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Improve the sustainability of coal-fired power plants.
Increase investment readiness.
Support climate finance mobilisation.
Accelerate implementation of the Just Energy Transition Partnership.
Strengthen national decarbonisation planning.

Tips for Preparing a Strong Proposal

Applicants can improve their chances by:

Demonstrating extensive experience in energy and climate projects.
Providing a practical and well-structured methodology.
Including experts with complementary technical and financial expertise.
Presenting realistic implementation timelines.
Clearly explaining experience with MRV and greenhouse gas accounting.
Highlighting previous work on bankable investment proposals.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Avoid the following when preparing your proposal:

Submitting incomplete documentation.
Combining technical and financial proposals into one file.
Providing insufficient evidence of organizational experience.
Proposing unrealistic implementation schedules.
Failing to demonstrate expertise in MRV or financial modelling.
Ignoring regulatory compliance requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who can apply for this UNDP consultancy opportunity?

Qualified consultancy firms, research institutes, and organizations are eligible to apply. Preference is given to locally registered organizations operating in Viet Nam’s energy and power sector.

What is the main objective of the consultancy?

The assignment aims to identify viable greenhouse gas mitigation investments for selected thermal coal power plants and develop two bankable investment proposals for financing under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP).

How will proposals be evaluated?

Applications will be evaluated using a combined scoring system consisting of 70% technical evaluation and 30% financial evaluation. Only technically qualified proposals will proceed to financial assessment.

What experience should applicants demonstrate?

Applicants should have expertise in energy consulting, greenhouse gas inventories, MRV systems, mitigation planning, financial modelling, energy investment, and climate policy.

What documents must be submitted?

Required documents include a company profile, registration certificate, audited financial statements, proposal submission form, project references, ongoing project details, performance certificates, CVs of key personnel, and separate technical and financial proposals.

Where must proposals be submitted?

Applications must be submitted electronically through the UNDP Supplier Portal before the application deadline.

Does UNDP automatically award the contract to the lowest-priced proposal?

No. UNDP awards the contract based on the best overall value for money, considering both technical quality and financial competitiveness.

Conclusion

The UNDP Viet Nam Decarbonisation Investment Project Consultancy offers an important opportunity for experienced consultancy firms and research organizations to contribute to Viet Nam’s clean energy transition. By developing technically sound and financially viable investment proposals for thermal coal power plants, the selected organization will help advance greenhouse gas mitigation, attract climate finance under the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP), and support the country’s long-term sustainable energy and decarbonisation goals.