1. BACKGROUND

The Energy Commission (EC) as part of its mandate under the Renewable Energy Act, 2011 (Act 832), is responsible for promoting the sustainable development and utilisation of solid biomass resources for cooking and heating purposes. Ghana has a vibrant cookstove market which has been developing rapidly over the past few years. Cookstove projects constitute the majority of carbon programmes being implemented in Ghana. Prioritisation of this action in our Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) Action Plan and Article 6 of the Paris Agreement has further heightened investor interest in the sector.

Recent events across the globe regarding the figure for the fraction of non-renewable biomass (fNRB) poses a risk for carbon investors, and disincentivises cookstove producers. It has become imperative that Ghana as a country develops its own fNRB figure. Accordingly, the Energy Commission, together with the Ministry of Environment, Science Technology and Innovation (MESTI), Ministry of Energy (MoEn), Environmental Protection Agency, and key actors in the Ghanaian cookstove carbon market will be working together to develop the Fraction of Non-Renewable Biomass (fNRB) value for Ghana. The Commission requires the services of a Consultant/Consulting firm, to lead in the development of the fNRB figure for Ghana.

Note: This study is being supported by the Climate Change Centre (CCC), South Korea, through the Ministry of Energy.

2. OBJECTIVES OF THE ASSIGNMENT

The main objective of this assignment is to develop country-specific default fNRB by considering the unique landscape condition and cooking practices that influence woody biomass depletion rate in different sub-national areas of Ghana. The specific objectives are as follows:

1. Use a participatory process to develop the fNRB figure for Ghana
2. Develop for adoption a robust system for undertaking an extensive technical study to produce a country-specific fNRB data based on realistic assumptions and area-specific relevant data
3. Establish or recommend a structure for the regular updates of this study and the churning out the fNRB value for Ghana and sub-national areas
4. Obtain approval from the relevant UNFCCC supervisory body or for the methodology and data sources used in estimating a default country fNRB value for Ghana and sub-national areas.

3. SCOPE OF WORK
The consultant will undertake the following to achieve the objectives of the assignment

• i. Technical assessment
  
  • Conduct desktop review of literature, ongoing related works, existing fNRB figures and methodologies for calculating them
  • Define the sub-national boundary (ecological zone, urban vs rural vs peri-urban)
  • Determine the fNRB calculation methodology at the sub-national level of Ghana
  • Design data collection approaches for collection of the needed data for the determination of the fNRB
  • Document all underlying assumptions for calculating the fNRB values including limitations and uncertainty assessment
  • Conduct stakeholder consultation to validate the report
• Work with an independent Task Force in the execution of the assignment
• Conduct stakeholder consultations to share and solicit for inputs to validate the findings

4. In view of this, the Energy Commission invites proposals from eligible Consultant/Consulting firm with rich experiences and knowledge to provide consultancy services for the above assignment.

5. ELIGIBILITY

An eligible Consultant/Consulting firm shall possess and provide the following documents/information:
I. Letter of interest
II. Profile of Consultancy experience and relevant capabilities
III. Valid Business Registration Certificate
IV. Valid Tax clearance certificate with a copy of receipts of payment
V. Valid PPA Supplier Registration Certificate
VI. Curriculum Vitae (CV) of experts with the requisite capability and experience to successfully deliver such assignment
VII. Evidence of similar activity carried out within the last three (3) years
VIII. Any other information relevant to the assignment

6. Interested Consultants/Consulting firms may obtain further information at the Procurement Unit, 1st floor room no.104 from Tuesday, 23rd January, 2024 during working hours (9:00am to 4:00pm).

7. Interested Consultants/Consulting firms must submit all documentation on a pendrive, one original and four photocopies of the Expression of Interest marked “Consultancy Services for the Development of a Fraction of Non-Renewable Biomass (fNRB) Work for the Energy Commission” and must be delivered to the address below before or on Friday 5th April, 2024 at 10:00am.

The Procurement Unit
1st Floor Room No. 104
Energy Commission
Ghana Airways Avenue, GPS:GA-037-321
Private Mail Bag, Ministries Post Office, Accra
Tel: 0302 813756 Fax 0302 813 764