Provision of technical advisory services for energy efficiency, renewable energy self-consumption, and institutional capacity development in Kosovo

This assignment contributes to the overall objective of the Kosovo Energy Project (KEP) to improve the framework conditions for increasing energy efficiency (EE) and expanding renewable energy for self-consumption (RE-SC) in Kosovo. The contractor shall provide technical advisory services, institutional capacity development and implementation support to partner institutions in close coordination with GIZ and relevant national stakeholders. The contractor shall build on previous project achievements, avoid duplication and ensure complementarity with ongoing national reforms and donor-supported initiatives. The contractor is responsible for contributing to the achievement of the expected results under Outputs 1, 2, 4 and 5 of KEP. Activities under all work packages shall be implemented in an integrated manner to maximise synergies between regulatory reform, financing mechanisms, institutional capacity development and gender-responsive energy transition. Work Package (WP) 1: Legal and Regulatory Framework Objective: Improve the legal, regulatory, and technical framework to enable investments in energy efficiency (EE) and renewable energy sources (RES) for self-consumption. Description: The contractor shall provide technical advisory services to strengthen the legal and regulatory framework for energy efficiency and renewable energy for self-consumption in Kosovo. The assignment includes drafting and reviewing legislation, developing technical standards and supporting partner institutions in implementing the new regulatory framework. The expected result is an improved enabling environment that facilitates public and private investment while ensuring alignment with the EU Energy Acquis and Energy Community obligations. Key Outputs / Activities: - Provide technical advisory services to ME, MESPI and KEEF for the drafting, revision and implementation of legislation and regulatory frameworks on energy efficiency (EE) and the energy performance of buildings (EPB). - Support ME, ERO, DSO and TSO in drafting and amending secondary legislation implementing the Law on Renewable Energy and transposing Directive (EU) 2019/944, with a focus on renewable energy for self-consumption (RE-SC). - Strengthen ERO's capacities to develop tariff and revenue methodologies reflecting the revised renewable energy support framework. - Develop national technical standards for EE and RE-SC in line with the EPB Law, the EU Energy Acquis and international best practices. - Develop technical standards for the grid integration of renewable energy and support the simplification of permitting and authorisation procedures. Work package (WP) 2: Financial Mechanisms Objective: Improve access to tailored financing mechanisms for EE and RES investments for self-consumption. Description: The contractor shall support KEEF in improving, expanding and operationalising financing mechanisms for EE and RE-SC investments. Particular emphasis shall be placed on developing financially sustainable instruments that increase investment uptake among households, municipalities and SMEs, while addressing affordability barriers for vulnerable groups. Key Outputs / Activities: - Advisory support to KEEF to fine-tune financing schemes for different target groups (households, SMEs, municipalities). - Design and structuring of support mechanisms and blended financial instruments, with a focus on multi-apartment buildings. - Identification of financing gaps and barriers, including affordability constraints, and formulation of targeted recommendations. - Preparation of recommendations to revise existing KEEF schemes based on lessons learned from pilot programs. - Support to operationalize monitoring and verification systems for EE and RES pilot projects. Work package (WP) 3: Human Capacity Development Objective: Strengthen institutional and human capacities to plan, implement, and monitor EE and RES measures at national and local levels. Description: Work Package 3 provides cross-cutting institutional and human capacity development measures supporting the implementation of Outputs 1, 2, 4 and 5. Key Outputs / Activities: - Capacity development for ME on inspection processes ensuring compliance with EE and RES regulations and standards. - Organizational development support to KEEF, including new structures, roles, and procedures linked to expanded financing mechanisms. - Training of KEEF staff on the operationalization of EE and RES financial instruments and schemes. - Capacity building for KEEF staff and municipalities to improve planning, implementation, and investment mobilization for EE and RES. - Support to municipalities in developing training programs on local energy and climate policies and measures. - Support to AKM to institutionalize a structured knowledge-sharing and training platform on EE and RES. - Design and delivery of replicable capacity-building programs (including ToT) for women in the energy sector, aligned with labor market needs. Work package (WP) 4: Women in Energy Network Objective: Improve conditions for increased participation and career development of women in the energy sector. Description: The consultancy shall support the operationalization of a Women in Energy Network of initially compromising approximately 100 members by advising on governance, mandate, and operational modalities. The Network will strengthen coordination among public institutions, civil society, academia, and private-sector actors. Key Outputs / Activities: - Advisory support to Agency of Gender Equality and Ministry of Economy to define the Network"s mandate, governance structure, mission, and cooperation mechanisms. - Support for formalized collaboration between steering institutions and operational partners to ensure sustainability and effectiveness of the Network.