RFI - Rural Electrification_Renewable Energy Guatemala.pdf

REQUEST FOR INFORMATION

Date of Issuance: March 30, 2022

Reference No.: 72052022RFI00003

Preliminary Activity Title: Rural Electrification in Guatemala

Deadline to Submit Responses: April 29, 2022 - 5PM Guatemala Time

Submit Responses to: Cvillegas@usaid.gov and

Guatemalaproposals@usaid.gov

Dear Interested Parties:

The United States Government, represented by the U.S. Agency for International Development

(USAID) Guatemala, is seeking information, opinions, and recommendations on approaches for the possible implementation of an activity focused on rural electrification by increasing access to renewable energy to off grid beneficiaries, as further described in Attachment No. 1.

Submissions will be accepted in English or Spanish. Responses are limited to a maximum of

3 pages (single spaced, Times New Roman 12 pt). All responses must be submitted via email to cvillegas@usaid.gov and guatemalaproposals@usaid.gov with subject “RFI: Rural

Electrification in Guatemala” no later than the date/time stated above.

This Request for Information (RFI) is issued solely for information and planning purposes.

This is not a Request for Applications (RFA) nor a Request for Proposals (RFP); and is not to be construed as a commitment by the U.S. Government. USAID is not responsible for any costs incurred in responding to this RFI nor will funding be made available prior to any award. Respondents are responsible for all costs incurred prior to award.

Thank you for your interest in USAID/Guatemala’s programs and we look forward to your comments.

Sincerely, Armando Espinosa

Contracting/Agreement Officer

USAID/Guatemala mailto:Cvillegas@usaid.go mailto:Guatemalaproposals@usaid.gov mailto:cvillegas@usaid.gov mailto:guatemalaproposals@usaid.gov

Attachment No. 1

Background:

USAID is evaluating the possibility of supporting the creation of a rural electrification program by expanding access to renewable energy for off grid beneficiaries. Specifically, this program will seek to help create a more favorable enabling environment for rural electrification through promoting renewable energy technology and energy efficient end use technology; creating jobs linked to workforce development in rural electrification and renewable energy; and, identifying and accelerating private sector enterprises which contribute to renewable energy development in rural areas. By enabling environment USAID means the technology and financial setting, as follows:

● Laws, regulations, policies, and/or incentives;

● Workforce development;

● Increased investment in and development of renewable energy technologies and energy efficient end-use technologies;

● Reforms that improve cost recovery and establish the financial capacity in the energy sector to make investments in renewable energy and energy efficiency;

● Grid modernization; or

● Any other approaches – such as market development – needed to facilitate and sustain rural electrification through increased access and sustainability of renewable energy.

USAID’s renewable energy programs must enable and sustain greater use of renewable energy and energy efficiency. USAID/Guatemala’s potential rural electrification activity will work to strengthen energy security, create jobs, build workforce capacity within the renewable energy sector, enhance efficiency and increase investments in rural electrification through renewable energy and efficiency approaches and technologies.

USAID seeks input from the public on the general viability of the above-mentioned Rural

Electrification Activity as well as response to the following questions:

1. Do any activities focused on rural electrification through increased access to renewable energy currently exist in Guatemala? If so, what are their salient features and identified gaps?

2. Is there a sufficient number of organizations with capacity to implement and/or invest in a rural electrification activity that focuses on renewable energy? Which ones? In what areas is organizational capacity missing?

3. What regions of Guatemala have the greatest need and potential for success in terms of enabling environment and investment opportunities for rural electrification based solely on renewable energy? Does it make most sense to focus on the municipal, small business or household level?

4. Is it realistic to expect that the Activity will be able to strengthen the enabling environment for the use of renewable technology and efficient end use technologies enough to significantly address rural electrification needs in Guatemala?

5. What laws, regulations, policies, or incentives should the activity focus on to respond to

Guatemala’s rural electrification needs and the use of renewable energy to achieve this objective? Which need to be carried out at the national or which at the departmental or municipal level?

6. What kind of investments in rural electrification with high social, cultural, economic and environmental impact would you prioritize in Guatemala?

7. Which partners from the public and private sector would be key to work within this

Activity?

8. What are the best approaches for workforce development and job creation in rural electrification, renewable energy technologies, etc. would you recommend?

9. What are the current barriers to rural electrification, whether legal, technical, social, systems or materials’ supply availability, or otherwise?