Request for Expressions of Interest for consultants and consulting firms for the Energy Sector of SNV in Vietnam

2. Background and objectives of assignment

SNV is actively expanding its energy sector portfolio in Vietnam to support the country’s just energy transition and achieve its 2050 net zero commitment. Thus, SNV is looking for clean energy experts in a wide range of technical areas to collaborate with us as consultants in different project activities.  

Technical areas

We are seeking experts with experience in one or more of the technical areas listed below:

o Greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory: Consultants should have experience in conducting comprehensive GHG inventories, specifically within the energy sector. This includes expertise in identifying, quantifying, and reporting GHG emissions across various energy-related activities such as generation, transmission, distribution, and consumption. The consultant should be familiar with international GHG accounting standards and methodologies, such as the GHG Protocol and IPCC guidelines, and have experience working with relevant industry data, including energy consumption patterns, fuel types, and emissions factors. Proven experience in designing and implementing GHG inventory frameworks and ensuring data accuracy and reliability is required. Experience with ESG reporting frameworks (GRI, CDP, ISSB, etc.) is a plus.

o Decarbonization strategy development: Consultants should be able to develop actionable decarbonization strategies for organizations and governments. This includes identifying opportunities for emissions reduction, prioritizing actions, and creating roadmaps to meet net-zero targets. Experience in integrating renewable energy solutions, energy efficiency improvements, and carbon offsetting strategies into a coherent, measurable, and realistic decarbonization plan is essential. The consultant should also have experience in assessing policy, technological, and economic barriers to decarbonization and proposing solutions to overcome them.

o Energy transition policy development: Consultants should have a strong background in developing energy transition policies aimed at reducing carbon footprints and promoting the shift from fossil fuels to cleaner, renewable energy sources. This includes experience in evaluating current energy landscapes, identifying gaps, and proposing strategic policy measures to facilitate a just and equitable energy transition. Experience with regulatory frameworks, market-based instruments, and stakeholder engagement is critical. Consultants should also have experience in policy analysis and advising on policy reforms to accelerate the transition to low-carbon energy systems.

o Coal transition: Consultants should have expertise in managing the phase-out of coal-based energy production and transitioning toward cleaner alternatives. This includes evaluating the social, economic, and environmental impacts of coal phase-out, developing strategies to mitigate negative impacts, and identifying replacement technologies such as renewable energy, co-firing, natural gas, or carbon capture and storage (CCS). Consultants should also be experienced in creating transition plans for coal-dependent regions and workforce re-skilling programs to support affected communities.

o Workforce development and re-skilling for clean energy sector: Consultants should be experienced in developing workforce development and re-skilling programs to support the energy transition. This includes assessing skill gaps in the clean energy sector, creating curricula, training programs, and pathways to help workers transition from traditional energy sectors to emerging green jobs. Consultants should have experience in labor market analysis, collaboration with educational institutions, and developing partnerships with industry stakeholders to ensure a sustainable and just energy transition.

o Energy system digitization: Consultants should have expertise in the digitization of energy systems, focusing on integrating digital technologies such as smart grids, IoT, and data analytics into energy management and distribution systems. Experience in designing and implementing digital transformation strategies that enhance efficiency, resilience, and flexibility within the energy sector is required. Consultants should also have a deep understanding of how digital solutions can support grid optimization, predictive maintenance, demand-response management, and enhance the integration of renewable energy sources.

o Energy finance: Consultants should have a strong understanding of energy finance, including the design and implementation of financial mechanisms to support energy transition projects. This includes expertise in structuring and financing renewable energy projects, understanding capital requirements, risk analysis, and leveraging financial instruments such as green bonds, impact investing, and blended finance models. Consultants should also be familiar with funding sources and government incentives for renewable energy, energy efficiency, and decarbonization projects.

o Gender, Equality, and Social Inclusion (GESI) in the energy sector: Consultants should have experience in assessing and integrating gender equality and social inclusion principles within energy sector policies and projects. This includes identify gaps, designing programs that ensure equitable access to energy, promote women’s participation in the clean energy workforce, and support marginalized communities in benefiting from energy transition initiatives. The consultant should also have experience in gender-sensitive assessments and developing strategies to overcome barriers to inclusive energy access and decision-making.

o Carbon project development: Consultants should be experienced in the development and implementation of carbon projects, including carbon offset programs, and other initiatives aimed at reducing or sequestering carbon emissions. This includes knowledge of carbon credit certification processes, project monitoring, reporting and verification (MRV) systems, and the development of financial and technical feasibility studies. Experience in aligning projects with international carbon standards and ensuring their scalability and sustainability is required.

o Energy and climate adaptation: Consultants should be well-versed in the integration of energy systems with climate adaptation strategies. This includes assessing the vulnerability of energy infrastructure to climate impacts (e.g., extreme weather events, sea-level rise) and recommending adaptation measures to enhance resilience. Consultants should also have experience in aligning energy projects with national or regional climate adaptation plans and understanding how energy access can be maintained and improved in the face of climate change.

o Electric transport: Consultants should have expertise in the development and implementation of electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure and policies, including charging networks, regulatory frameworks, and integration into broader transportation and energy systems. Experience in assessing the potential for EV adoption in different regions, working with stakeholders (governments, private sector, and communities), and identifying financial incentives and policy drivers to accelerate EV deployment is essential.

o Battery energy storage systems: Consultants should be experienced in the design and implementation of battery energy storage systems (BESS) as a key component of modern energy grids. This includes expertise in system sizing, battery technology options, cost-benefit analysis, and integration with renewable energy sources like wind and solar. Consultants should have experience in evaluating the economic and operational benefits of BESS, such as grid stability, load shifting, and energy storage for peak demand management.

o Biomass and biogas, including by-products such as biochar, bio-CNG, etc.: Consultants should have a strong background in biomass and biogas project development, focusing on the conversion of organic waste into renewable energy. This includes expertise in feedstock selection, technological options (e.g., anaerobic digestion, gasification), and the production of biofuels such as bio-CNG and biochar. Consultants should also have experience in evaluating the lifecycle impacts of biomass and biogas projects, including economic, environmental, and social aspects, and should be familiar with the development of sustainable waste-to-energy solutions that align with circular economy principles.

o Climate Technology Ecosystem Development: Consultants should have extensive experience in developing and fostering climate technology ecosystems, specifically designed to support the growth and scaling of private sector companies working in the clean technology space. This includes identifying and building the necessary infrastructure, partnerships, and market frameworks to enable the successful commercialization and adoption of climate technologies. Consultants should be able to design strategies to support startups and established private companies in accessing funding, including venture capital, public financing, and innovative financial mechanisms such as green bonds and blended finance. They should also be familiar with policy and regulatory environments that can either facilitate or hinder the growth of climate tech companies, providing recommendations for policy reform where necessary.

o Energy and Circular Economy: Consultants should have expertise in integrating energy systems with circular economy principles, focusing on the efficient use, reuse, and recovery of energy and resources throughout the entire lifecycle of products and services, including recycling of battery and other renewable energy waste. This includes experience in designing and implementing systems that reduce waste, minimize environmental impacts, and enhance the sustainability of energy production and consumption.

o Experience in promoting energy recovery from waste streams, including technologies such as waste-to-energy, biogas production, and the conversion of by-products into useful energy, is essential. Consultants should also have knowledge of integrating renewable energy systems into circular economy frameworks, ensuring that energy generation, storage, and consumption align with sustainability goals. This could include renewable energy applications in manufacturing processes, energy-efficient building design, and the use of decentralized energy systems. Consultants should also have a strong understanding of policy, regulatory, and market drivers that support the development of a circular economy within the energy sector. They should be experienced in identifying and promoting incentives for businesses to adopt circular economy practices, such as extended producer responsibility (EPR), resource efficiency standards, and eco-design principles.