Historique

Bioenergy is one of the most promising renewable energy sources in Ukraine. In 2014 Ukraine has defined a binding 11% target of energy from renewable sources in gross final energy consumption by 2020, including 12,4% of renewable energy in heating and cooling sector (currently 2,6%), where bioenergy is expected to take around an 85% share in renewable heating. 

In this context the objective of UNDP/GEF Project “Development and Commercialization of Bioenergy Technologies in the Municipal Sector of Ukraine” (Biomass project), which started in November 2014, is to accelerate sustainable agricultural biomass utilization for municipal heat and hot water services to enable Ukraine substantially moving closer to its renewable energy targets. This, in turn, is expected to generate direct global benefits of 63,577 tons of CO2 over the same period and 19,143 tons CO2/a thereafter in avoided greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

The project aims to achieve this target by introducing a conducive regulatory framework and by establishing a financial support mechanism that together will facilitate private sector participation in utilizing agricultural biomass to supply municipal heat and hot water services and assist the Government in closing private sector funded investments in municipal biomass. It is envisaged that this project will enable Ukraine to substantially move closer to its target of having some 7% of the country’s annual primary energy requirements for heating and hot water services supplied by biomass by 2030, as outlined in the “Energy Strategy of Ukraine to 2030”. 

The Project consists of four components and among them Component 3: To promote investment in municipal biomass through the establishment/strengthening of a Financial Support Mechanism (FSM) within financial institutions. Under this component pilot Municipal Bioenergy Projects (MBPs) have to be implemented. In 2015-2016 the Bioenergy project has implemented 12 MBPs, which included installation of straw pellets-fired boilers in different locations. In 2018-2019 implementation of at least 6 more pilot MBPs is planned. The Bioenergy project will provide Technical Assistance (TA) to them in carrying out of Feasibility studies (FSs) and thereby facilitate the achievement of Output 3.3: Feasibility studies and business plans for municipal biomass heat and hot water systems.

CURRENT STATE OF ACHIEVEMENT OF OUTPUT 3.3 OF THE PROJECT

The feasibility of the biomass technologies for heat and hot water supply, including financial feasibility, has been studied at the early stage of the project implementation. During 2015-2016, 10 biomass demonstration projects were implemented in 3 pilot regions and 10 straw pellet-fired boilers with 220 kW thermal capacities each, installed and started operation.

In April-June 2018, the feasibility of MBPs was carefully studied based on the actual data of already implemented pilot projects as well as estimated for different agricultural biomass (Straw pellets, straw briquets, straw bales, Sunflower husk pellets, Corn stover bales) and for different capacities of boilers (from 250 kW to 10,000 kW). Sensitivity analysis also was conducted and most critical parameters affecting the feasibility identified. As a result, the most feasible options have been identified.

On July 2, 2018 the Bioenergy project announced a contest for the MBPs using, agrarian biomass as a full, to get TA from the Bioenergy project including in development of FS. 21 municipalities applied with 42 MBPs, out of which 31 qualified as eligible for the assistance from the Bioenergy project. It is planned that works on FS will be started by the end of September 2018.

To accelerate efforts of the Biomass project, a Project Support Platform (PSP) will be created, which, among others will develop a group of qualified consultants (Roster of experts) that can be mobilized on an ad hoc or ongoing basis.

Devoirs et responsabilités

MAIN OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The objective of the assignment is providing necessary Technical Assistance (TA) in the development of pre-investment documentation (FSs, loan applications, etc.) for MBPs

DESCRIPTION OF RESPONSIBILITIES / SCOPE OF WORK

Under the overall supervision and guidance of the Project Manager and in cooperation with Senior Biomass Expert, Bioenergy Expert with Expertise in Feasibility Studies (Bioenergy FS expert) will be primarily responsible for the achieving of the objectives of the assignment. His/her duties will include but not limited to:

• Feasibility studies for municipal biomass heat and hot water systems to the short-listed municipalities (up to 25 feasibility studies in total; up to 5 feasibility studies will be conducted by one expert).
• Content of the FS report is presented in Annex 1.

DELIVERABLES

IMPLEMENTATION ARRANGEMENTS, monitoring/REPORTING requirements

• Any copyrights and other kinds of intellectual property emerging in the course of contract implementation and produced by the Contractor under the contract shall be retained by UNDP.
• Payments will be made in installments upon endorsement of the respective deliverables by UNDP.
• Work-progress reporting/monitoring meetings will be held with the Consultant on regular basis. All activities of the Consultant shall be discussed and agreed upon with the UNDP Energy and Environment Portfolio Manager. UNDP will be the final authority to control the quality and evaluate the work. No reports or documents should be published or distributed to third parties without approval of UNDP.

Compétences

• Ability to take initiative
• Excellent communication (both oral and written) skills
• Demonstrated analytic capacity and ability to synthesize relevant collected information and findings
• Technological awareness

Qualifications et expériences requises

Education:

• University degree (e.g. Masters/Specialist degree) in Energy, Economics or a related field. Higher degree would be an asset

Experience:

• At least 5 years of relevant work experience in development of biomass projects (feasibility studies, business plans, detailed design, construction, monitoring & evaluation, etc.)
• Experience in implementation of Municipal projects
• Knowledge of biomass technologies and markets
• Experience in biomass resource assessment
• Previous experience in cooperation with international organizations/projects would be an asset.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in writing/speaking Ukrainian;
• Good command in written English will be advantage.

DOCUMENTS TO BE INCLUDED WHEN SUBMITTING THE PROPOSALS

Applicants shall submit the following documents:            

• Personal CV, including information about past experience in similar projects / assignments and contact details for referees;
• Financial proposal;
• Duly accomplished Letter of Confirmation of Interest and Availability using the template provided by UNDP.

FINANCIAL PROPOSAL

Lump sum contract

The financial proposal shall specify a daily fee amount. In order to assist the requesting unit in the comparison of financial proposals, the financial proposal will include a breakdown of this daily fee-based amount and number of anticipated working days.

Travel costs

Travel within Ukraine (if needed to deliver expected results) will be paid in addition to this payment for service in accordance with the UNDP rules and procedures. Consultations regarding travel options will be held with the Project Manager prior to planning of the trips and relevant logistics.

In the case of unforeseeable travel, payment of travel costs including tickets, lodging and terminal expenses should be agreed upon, between the respective business unit and Individual Consultant, prior to travel and will be reimbursed. In general, UNDP should not accept travel costs exceeding those of an economy class ticket. Should the IC wish to travel on a higher class he/she should do so using their own resources.

EVALUATION OF APPLICANTS

Selection method: Selection based on pass/fail basis.

Evaluation criteria   

-     University degree (e.g. Masters/Specialist degree) in Energy, Economics or a related field

-     At least 5 years of relevant work experience in development of biomass projects (feasibility studies, business plans, detailed design, construction, monitoring & evaluation, etc.)

-     Experience in implementation of Municipal projects

• Knowledge of biomass technologies and markets
• Experience in biomass resource assessment
• Previous experience in cooperation with international organizations/projects would be an asset.

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in written/speaking Ukrainian;
• Good command of written English will be advantage.