Technical Expert Consultant for the Investment Pathways for ASEAN Low-Carbon Energy (INSPACE) Project
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BACKGROUND
The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)1 is home to about 680 million people in 2022, accounting for about 8.6% of the global population2. As the population grows, there is a direct increase in the number of people needing energy for their daily activities, such as heating, cooling, transportation, and electricity usage. Meeting the energy demands of a growing population requires expanding energy infrastructure such as power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks. This can strain resources and require substantial investments. Half of ASEAN Member States (AMS) have not yet reached a 100% electrification rate, with difficulties in reaching the last miles. In developing regions, rapid population growth can outpace infrastructure development, leading to energy shortages and unreliable supply. In addition, urbanisation also leads to higher concentrations of energy-intensive activities in cities, including industries, transportation networks, and residential buildings. Meeting the energy needs of a growing population creates environmental pressures, such as higher carbon emissions from fossil fuel use unless offset by cleaner energy sources. Besides the target of meeting accessibility, and security, diversifying energy sources is aimed at meeting sustainability through low-carbon or clean energy sources.
Energy diversification for a low-carbon future in ASEAN requires advanced technologies and massive investments. AMS have acknowledged the key roles of sustainable financing and private investments in the ASEAN Plan of Action for Energy Cooperation (APAEC) 2021-2025, with strategies including the promotion of enabling regulatory framework to attract more investments in the ASEAN energy infrastructures and technologies, to support reaching the national and regional targets. As the current phase of APAEC is ending soon, and the new cycle will be introduced in 2025, there needs to be a strategic analysis to recommend investment-related action plans. Therefore, this study is timely relevant and aims to provide the inputs for the investment-related action plans based on the empirically based strategic analysis with the following scope of the study set below.
The scopes of the study are as follows:
1. One (1) Review Report on the ASEAN Capacity Building Roadmap on Energy Investment, which was launched in 2023, in order to support the implementation of the APAEC’s Regional Energy Policy and Planning (REPP) programme area, especially Outcome-Based Strategy (OBS) 5: Attract investment and financing to accelerate ASEAN’s energy infrastructure growth, Action Plan (AP) 5.1: Develop a Roadmap for 2021-2025 to enhance capabilities in enabling regulatory environments to attract investment in energy infrastructure and technologies. The Report will include:
- The achievements of each AMS on their energy investment development, by comparing to the annual topics and activities laid out in the existing Roadmap.
- The evaluation of the Roadmap in terms of the frameworks, comprehensiveness, policy, and technology updates, as well as room for enhancement.
- The proposed action plans as the inputs for the APAEC 2026-2030, related to sustainable finance and investment for energy infrastructure and technologies in the region.
2. One (1) Strategic Report called ASEAN Energy Investment 2025 (AEI 2025), as the continuation from the first edition of AEI in 2024 and the implementation support for the APAEC REPP programme area, especially OBS 1: Enhance the Profile of ASEAN’s Energy Sector Internationally, AP 1.2: Publish regular regional energy outlooks and strategic reports on thematic issues. The publication will include:
- Updated comprehensive analysis of trends, opportunities, and challenges of domestic and foreign direct investments in the ASEAN energy sector, including from partner countries, such as China.
- The latest inventory of incentives, financial schemes, and all support measures implemented in AMS impacting energy investment, including energy transition and low-carbon or clean energy in the region.
- Deep dive case study on the investment situation and measures for decarbonising the energy supply chain industries, such as the industrial complex of batteries (especially their efficiency) and other emerging and advanced energy technologies.
To achieve the specific objectives of the project, the main activities of the study will include:
Therefore, to support the project activities, ACE is seeking an experienced technical expert(s) to deliver the outputs of the study.
DURATION OF ENGAGEMENT
a). The Consultant awarded with the assignment will be hired from April 2025 until November 2025 (exact dates will be finalised in the contract), and obliged to work within the required deadlines and be available for a call if needed.
b). The Technical Expert will undertake this study for a period of eight (8) months (Table 2) with the stated Consultation Fee (9), which can be continuous or intermittent due to further discussion between ACE and the Consultant
THE TASK TO BE UNDERTAKEN
The Consultant will be assigned to provide technical assistance to the ACE project team in delivering the study as per the following details:
a.Scope of work
The scopes of the assignment for the technical experts are:
i. Development of Technical Reports
1. Assisting with the development of two reports with the ACE team
2. Collecting the latest investment and other related data required for the reports
3. Compiling the additional data needed (primary and secondary sources)
4. Improving and writing the report drafts
5. Incorporating inputs and revisions from the language editor and the related stakeholders
6. Finalising the reports to be sent out for design and publication
ii. Findings Dissemination
1. Preparing materials and supporting the launching event in October 2025
iii. Development of Policy Briefs and academic paper
1. Writing three (3) Policy Briefs, each 4-5 pages max, jointly with the ACE team, based on the findings from the study
2. Writing one (1) academic paper manuscript jointly with the ACE team to be submitted to a minimal Q2 journal.
b. Expected Deliverables
Expected deliverables and timelines to be submitted by the experts are:
SUBMISSION OF APPLICATION
You may apply by sending your proposal to [email protected] and [email protected] on or before 23 April 2025. Please indicate the subject heading: Application for Technical Expert Consultant for INSPACE.
Download the full ToR here.