Consultant for the Development of a National Renewable Energy Policy

Adventist Development and Relief Agency International

The Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) is a global humanitarian organization with a mission to work with people in poverty and distress to create just and positive changes.

The Advancing Circular Technologies for Infrastructure and Value-Chain Enhancement (ACTIVE) Project, funded by the European Union and implemented by ADRA in partnership with Windle International Somalia and READO, seeks to strengthen Somalia s economic resilience by integrating renewable energy solutions into productive sectors, particularly agriculture, fisheries, and livestock value chains.

Despite increasing investments in renewable energy technologies, Somalia currently lacks a comprehensive national policy framework that clearly defines the strategic direction, institutional roles, regulatory environment, and investment priorities required to scale renewable energy deployment.

This consultancy will support the development of a National Renewable Energy Policy for Somalia, providing a strategic framework to guide renewable energy development, enhance climate resilience, and promote productive use of energy across key economic sectors.

The project s implementation will take place across seven regions: Banadir Regional Administration, Hirshabelle State, Jubbaland State, Galmudug State, Southwest State, Puntland and Somaliland. The project s core objective is to strengthen Somalia s energy-food nexus by ensuring that renewable energy investments are demand-responsive, commercially viable, and sustainable in the long term.

Overall and Specific Objectives of the Assignment:

The overall objective of this consultancy is to develop a comprehensive National Renewable Energy Policy for Somalia that establishes a clear strategic framework for expanding renewable energy deployment, strengthening energy access, and supporting climate-resilient economic growth.

The specific objectives of the consultancy are as follows:

• Assess the current renewable energy landscape in Somalia, including policies, regulatory frameworks, market conditions, and institutional arrangements.
• Identify policy, regulatory, and investment gaps that constrain the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies.
• Develop a national policy framework that promotes renewable energy expansion across key sectors, including productive use applications in agriculture, fisheries, livestock, water systems, and rural enterprises.
• Strengthen the enabling environment for renewable energy investment, including public-private partnerships, financing mechanisms, and regulatory incentives.
• Ensure alignment with national development priorities and international climate commitments, including Somalia s National Development Plan, National Transformation Plan, and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
• Facilitate inclusive stakeholder engagement with federal and state government institutions, development partners, private sector actors, and civil society to ensure policy ownership and sustainability.

Scope of Work

The consultant will undertake the following tasks:

4.1 Review of Existing Policies and Institutional Frameworks

The consultant will conduct a comprehensive review of existing national strategies and policies related to energy, climate change, agriculture, and economic development.

4.2 Renewable Energy Sector Diagnostic

The consultant will conduct a diagnostic assessment of Somalia s renewable energy sector, including:

• Renewable energy resource potential (solar, wind, biomass)
• Existing renewable energy infrastructure and projects
• Energy access levels across rural and urban areas
• Barriers to renewable energy adoption
• Private sector participation in the energy sector
• Institutional roles and governance arrangements

4.3 Stakeholder Consultations

The consultant will organize consultations with key stakeholders to gather input and build consensus around policy priorities.

Key stakeholders include:

• Ministry of Energy and Water Resources (MoEWR)
• Ministry of Agriculture and Irrigation
• Ministry of Fisheries and Marine Resources
• Ministry of Livestock
• Federal Member State governments
• Private sector energy companies
• Financial institutions
• Civil society organizations
• Development partners (EU, World Bank, AfDB, IFC)

4.4 Drafting of the National Renewable Energy Policy

Based on the findings of the diagnostic and stakeholder consultations, the consultant will develop a comprehensive draft National Renewable Energy Policy that includes:

• Vision and strategic objectives for renewable energy development
• Institutional roles and governance arrangements
• Regulatory and licensing frameworks
• Investment promotion strategies
• Incentives for private sector participation
• Integration of renewable energy into productive sectors
• Climate resilience and environmental sustainability considerations
• Gender equality and social inclusion provisions
• Monitoring and evaluation framework

4.5 Policy Validation and Finalization

The consultant will organize validation workshops with key stakeholders to review and refine the draft policy.

Following validation, the consultant will produce a final National Renewable Energy Policy document incorporating stakeholder feedback and recommendations.

4.6 Policy Implementation Roadmap

The consultant will develop a practical implementation roadmap outlining:

• Priority actions
• Institutional responsibilities
• Financing strategies
• Policy implementation timelines
• Monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.

Expected Deliverables

The consultant will deliver the following: