Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Switzerland (VSF-Suisse), in collaboration with the World Food Programme (WFP), is implementing the Integrated Smallholder Farmers Resilience and Livelihood Support in the Jijiga Area Project in the Haroreys, Awbare, and Tuliguled Woredas of the Fafan Zone. As part of this project, there is a need to assess the feasibility of solar power supply as an alternative energy source for the target areas.

Background

The Integrated Smallholder Farmers Resilience and Livelihood Support in the Jijiga Area Project, implemented by VSF-Suisse and funded by the World Food Programme (WFP), aims to enhance the resilience and livelihoods of smallholder farmers in the Haroreys, Awbare, and Tuliguled Woredas of Fafan Zone. The project focuses on improving agricultural productivity, promoting sustainable practices, and addressing the challenges smallholder farmers face in the target areas face.

The project aligns with the strategic objectives of both VSF-Suisse and WFP. VSF-Suisse’s global strategy for 2021–2024 emphasizes enhancing livestock-based livelihoods and improving food and nutrition security through various thematic areas. WFP’s strategy aims to scale up transformative and resilient local food systems, ensuring food security and nutrition for vulnerable populations. By collaborating on this project, VSF-Suisse and WFP seek to positively impact the lives of smallholder farmers and agro-pastoral households in the Fafan zone.

One of the critical aspects of enhancing agricultural productivity and livelihoods in the target areas is ensuring reliable and sustainable access to energy. The project recognizes the limitations and challenges associated with traditional energy sources such as fossil fuels and biomass. These sources often suffer from issues of accessibility, affordability, and environmental sustainability.

To overcome these challenges, there is a need to explore alternative energy sources and solar power is considered a promising solution. Solar power systems harness energy from the sun, providing a clean and renewable source of electricity. By implementing solar power supply systems, the project aims to address the energy needs of smallholder farmers, households, and community infrastructure in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner.

However, a feasibility study is essential before the implementation of solar power systems. This study will assess the viability, benefits, and potential challenges associated with utilizing solar power in the target villages. It will consider factors such as solar resource availability, technological requirements, financial implications, and socio-economic impacts.

The feasibility study will provide valuable insights into the suitability of solar power as an alternative energy source in the Haroreys, Awbare, and Tuliguled Woredas. It will guide decision-making processes by identifying the potential benefits and challenges of implementing solar power systems. The study’s findings will inform the project’s strategies, enabling the selection of appropriate technologies and interventions to enhance energy access and improve agricultural productivity.

In conclusion, the feasibility study on solar power supply in the target areas aligns with the project’s objective of enhancing the resilience and livelihoods of smallholder farmers and exploring renewable energy options. The project aims to overcome the limitations of traditional energy sources and contribute to sustainable agricultural development. The study will pave the way for evidence-based decision-making, ensuring the successful implementation of solar power systems and maximizing the project’s impact on smallholder farmers’ lives.

Objectives

The main objectives of the consulting service are as follows:

• Conduct a comprehensive feasibility study on the implementation of solar power supply systems in Haroreys, Awbare, and Tuliguled Woredas.
• Assess solar power systems’ technical, economic, and environmental feasibility in the target areas.
• Identify suitable locations, capacities, and configurations for solar power installations.
• Evaluate solar power supply’s potential benefits and impacts on agriculture, households, and community infrastructure.
• Develop a detailed implementation plan, including cost estimates, timelines, and recommendations for adopting solar power systems.

Scope of Work

The scope of work for the consulting service includes the following activities:

• Review the existing energy infrastructure, including the availability and reliability of grid electricity, diesel generators, and other energy sources in the target villages.
• Assess the solar energy potential in Haroreys, Awbare, and Tuliguled Woredas, considering factors such as solar irradiation, topography, and land availability.
• Conduct a technical analysis of solar power system requirements, including solar panel capacity, battery storage, inverters, and distribution networks.
• Evaluate the economic feasibility of solar power systems, considering the costs of equipment, installation, maintenance, and operation compared to alternative energy sources.
• Analyze the environmental impacts of solar power systems, including greenhouse gas emissions reduction, air pollution mitigation, and conservation of natural resources.
• Assess the social and economic benefits of solar power supply for smallholder farmers, households, and community infrastructure, including improved access to electricity, increased productivity, and cost savings.
• Develop a comprehensive implementation plan, including detailed designs, cost estimates, timelines, and recommendations for solar power installations in the target woredas.
• Provide a report summarizing the feasibility study’s findings, conclusions, and recommendations.

Job Requirements

Eligibility Criteria

Interested consulting firms or individual consultants are invited to express their interest in conducting the feasibility study. The following criteria will be considered for the selection process:

• Demonstrated experience in conducting similar feasibility studies for renewable energy projects, preferably in rural agricultural settings.
• Technical expertise in solar energy systems, including solar photovoltaic technology, battery storage, and distribution networks.
• Knowledge of the local context and experience working in the Somali region of Ethiopia, particularly in the Fafan Zone or similar regions.
• Availability of qualified experts and resources to carry out the study within the specified timeframe.
• Strong analytical and reporting skills to deliver a comprehensive feasibility study report.