ITT For Consultancy Services to support research assessing the role of early-stage support to productive use of renewable energy companies

Energy Saving Trust is seeking consultancy support from an energy access consultancy firm to deliver the following activity under the LEIA (Low Energy Inclusive Appliances) programme:

1. Evaluating Early-Stage Support: assessing the impact of early-stage support mechanisms on the sustainability and growth of productive use of renewable energy companies.
2. Objectives / Scope of Work

2.1 Internal inception report

Produce an inception report on background, methodology, proposed typologies and data gaps.

2.2. External report, including:

2.2.1 Mapping of financial flows

Quantify early-stage investment flows in key PURE sectors (e.g., cooling, irrigation, agro-processing). Identify trends, gaps and systemic barriers, and assess alignment with the stated objectives of grant and TA providers.

2.2.2 Analysis of company funding and business performance journeys

Understand how PURE companies navigate funding pathways, particularly the transition from grants/TA to debt and equity financing. Identify challenges and systemic gaps that grant and TA providers can address to improve support to companies. Identifying the key factors contributing to successful and unsuccessful follow-on investments from grant funding, with a focus on company characteristics (e.g. size, leadership, market focus).

2.2.3 Develop Case Studies:

Develop case studies of companies that demonstrate the effectiveness of different financial instruments and support structures. Highlight success factors and opportunities for grant and TA providers to optimise their support mechanisms.

2.2.4 Provide actionable insights and recommendations to grant and TA providers, donors, and investors, to empower PURE companies to grow.

2.3 Report Review and Finalisation

The report will go through an internal review process by Efficiency for Access and an external review by members of the CROWD working group and other key stakeholders.

2.4 Dissemination of findings

Support targeted dissemination activities for grant and TA providers, donors, and investors. The overall dissemination will be led by Energy Saving Trust.

3. Outputs

• Internal inception report (around 5 pages).
• Graphics showing financial flows, trends and gaps.
• Notes and insights from 30-50 company interviews.
• External report including background, literature review, financial flows, case studies, analysis and recommendations (around 30 pages of content).Support for the dissemination activities.

4. Requirements

• Strong understanding of markets for off-grid solar appliances, particularly those used for productive uses, including business models, market barriers, financing mechanisms and other ecosystem enabling interventions.
• Knowledge and experience across sub-Saharan African and South Asian contexts.
• Previous experience analysing companies’ commercial performance.
• Deep understanding of the financing challenges in energy access and the potential solutions.
• Excellent stakeholder engagement skills.
• Experience in providing technical assistance or transaction advisory support to PURE companies is highly desirable.
• Experience in evaluating grant or TA programmes for PURE companies is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with the Efficiency for Access Coalition, including its donor members and their implementing partners, as well as the Low Energy Inclusive Appliances programme.
• Established network of relationships with donors, investors and companies in the energy access sector. Additional information: As described in the ITT.