USAID-funded Energy Secure Philippines Activity (Up to PhP25,000,000)

Deadline: 03-Sep-21

The United States Agency of International Development (USAID) has announced the applications for the Energy Evolution Challenge Grant to support an energy service company (ESCO) who has a partner local government unit (LGU) to design and implement an energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) project that can become a practical guide for scaling up and replicating EEC initiatives in LGUs.

The grant will be implemented in two phases. First phase involves the preparation or enhancement of the LGU’s Local Energy Plan under which the Local EEC plan is expected to be articulated. This phase will help identify appropriate energy efficiency interventions as well as innovative financing mechanisms and procurement methods. Under the LEC, the EEC initiative is also anticipated to become or form part of a local ordinance that will serve as a long-term blueprint to guide future EEC efforts of the LGU. The EEC plans will then be implemented in the second phase of the project.

In the second phase, the ESCO grantee in partnership with the LGU, will execute an EEC transition program. Efforts may include retrofitting or replacing inefficient equipment with more efficient ones, developing systems, building capacity, and other interventions that are geared towards reducing energy consumption in business operations and communities. To be able to undertake these activities, the grantee must collaborate with the electric distribution utility operating within the LGU and build private-public partnerships.

Objectives

Energy efficiency and conservation (EEC) is an important facet of the energy industry but lags behind in terms of mainstreaming, and this is evident in many fronts – from technology and systems application to financing. This grant is targeting organizations, as defined for this request, which may help surmount this challenge and to achieve the following objectives:

Design, implement, and document an innovative EEC model that harmonizes policy, technology, financing, procurement, and capacity building in LGUs
Study, compare, and present different options for EEC technology applications and prepare a menu of solutions applicable to LGUs
Recommend policies and/or policy enhancements that can improve the adoption of EEC in LGUs
Develop and deploy communication and marketing strategies and materials that promote EEC adoption in LGUs

Funding Information

Anticipated awards: One ESCO in cooperation with one to three LGU/s
Funding amount for the award: Up to PhP25,000,000
Duration of award: Twenty-four (24) months with potential for extension but not exceeding the Activity life-ofproject ending on October 2025

Eligibility Criteria

Applicants must meet the following minimum eligibility requirements to qualify for funding under this RFA:

This grant prioritizes Energy Service Companies (ESCOs) in need of support and who registered or are about to register with the Department of Energy. Applicant ESCOs are required to partner with at least one LGU. Energy innovators, technology providers, enterprises, civil society organizations, community-based organizations, businesses, commercial establishments, academic institutions, and research institutions can also apply as long as they have a formal and active partnership with an ESCO. Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:
- Demonstrated experience working in the energy industry in the Philippines, with preference to organizations with established track record in research, organizational development, data analytics, and knowledge management.
- Applications meet minimum evaluation criteria for
  - Soundness of technical approach
  - Understanding of local context, and
  - qualifications of proposed personnel
- Demonstrated financial capacity to manage large USG grants or sub-grants portfolio.
- Cost realism of the budget
- Past performance