Provision of standardised consultancy services for On- & Off-Grid Regulation and Market Development

Under the GIZ initiative GET.transform, the contractor will support partner countries and regions in advancing the global energy transition through technical assistance and advisory services. The focus areas are On-Grid Regulation and Market Development and Off- Grid Regulation and Market Development. The contractor will provide expert services, ensure flexibility to adapt to evolving needs, and contribute to achieving the overall programme objectives. GIZ will manage implementation jointly with local partners (worldwide), with English as the main working language, although other languages may be required depending on the project context. Regular coordination formats-such as weekly meetings and interim reports-will be established at the start of the assignment. Specific activities and expert assignments will be defined progressively based on partner requests. Objectives and Expected Results The contractor will strengthen the technical and institutional capacities of partner countries on On- and Off-Grid Regulation and Market Development. These areas represent the essentials to create the regulatory base and needed market mechanisms to transform towards a well-established and framework-based energy transition. 1. On-Grid Regulation and Market Development Objective and Scope The goal is to enable renewable energy participation and investment by developing and re-designing power markets and the reconsideration of traditional business models and power sector regulatory frameworks. Approach Partner countries face diverse challenges on regulatory frameworks and power markets- Support activities may include: - Renewable Energy Procurement and Transaction Advisory: Support governments and public institutions in designing and implementing renewable energy procurement programmes by strengthening policy, regulatory, financial, and governance frameworks. Services include auction and tender design, IPP procurement and transaction advisory, PPA negotiations, risk mitigation strategies, and stakeholder capacity building - Renewable Energy Distributed Generation: Provide advisory services for the development and implementation of market-driven distributed generation frameworks, including the assessment and design of regulatory models. Support policy development, regulatory reforms, programme implementation, and capacity building to accelerate DG deployment. - Power Market Reform: Advise on the design and implementation of power market reforms that improve market efficiency, transparency, and investment attractiveness. Services include tariff and market mechanism design, regional market integration, cross-border trade facilitation, and the development of regulatory frameworks that enable renewable energy integration and private sector participation. 2. Off-Grid Regulation and Market Development Objective and Scope The aim is the development of pathways and plans to extend interconnected distribution grids and isolated mini-grids by addressing implementation issues from a policy and infrastructure perspective. Approach Partner countries face diverse challenges on regulatory frameworks that enable opportunities for electricity access, mini-grid and productive-use projects. Support activities may include: - Electrification Planning and Siting: Support governments in developing integrated electrification plans that identify least-cost electrification pathways through grid extension, mini-grids, and standalone systems. Services include geospatial planning, mini-grid site identification, productive use of energy (PUE) integration, and technical assistance to improve project viability and long-term electrification strategies. - Mini-Grid Frameworks: Develop and implement regulatory, tariff, procurement, and financing frameworks that create an enabling environment for private sector investment in mini-grids. Services include competitive procurement and incentive mechanism design, coordination with financing partners, capacity building, and technical assistance to support sustainable mini-grid market development. - Standalone System Frameworks: Support the development of regulatory and technical frameworks for standalone energy systems that promote market growth while ensuring quality, consumer protection, and regulatory oversight. Services include the design of market rules, technical standards, operational guidelines, and implementation support to enable sustainable standalone energy markets. All interventions will be tailored to each country"s stage in (on- & off-grid) regulation and market development and its broader development objectives. Collaboration and Adaptability The contractor must maintain a flexible and responsive working approach, adapting activities and work plans to changing needs and partner requests. A collaborative management system with GIZ will ensure regular communication, alignment of priorities, and continuous quality assurance. Deliverables Deliverables may include analytical studies, policy and technical recommendations, capacity-building sessions, and communication materials. All outputs will be reviewed and approved by GIZ and its partners before completion. In summary, the contractor will act as a technical partner to GIZ, providing adaptable and high-quality support in on- and off-grid regulation and market development. Through collaborative and capacity-oriented implementation, the work will help partner countries design integrated, sustainable, and low-carbon market reforms and on- and off-grid regulatory frameworks while fostering transparency, knowledge sharing, and long-term national ownership.