KEY INFORMATION
 
Job Title: Request for Proposals: Pilot of Solar Energy Forecast System, Cambodia
Sector: Solar Energy, Infrastructure
Position Type: Part-Time
Duration/Level of Effort: Short-term
Position Location: Cambodia
 
SUMMARY OF THE PROJECT
 
The CAPRED Facility is Australia's flagship bilateral economic development program in Cambodia, focusing on economic recovery and resilience over the next five years, with a possible three-year extension. The Facility supports Cambodia in implementing a range of important economic reforms to support the country's economic transition. These interventions and reforms aim to encourage more productive and inclusive public and private investment, promoting a resilient, inclusive, and sustainable economy (RISE).
 
CAPRED interventions fall under three technical components including: Agriculture and Agro-processing; Trade, Investment and Enterprise Development and Infrastructure Development; and three Cross-Cutting components: Gender Equality, Disability and Social Inclusion (GEDSI); Climate Resilient initiatives, and policy support.
 
SUMMARY OF THE POSITION
 
Australia, through CAPRED, supports Cambodia’s efforts in green energy transition. With the endorsement of the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), CAPRED is closely collaborating with the EDC (the public energy utility) to identify and implement a suitable weather forecast system to predict solar energy outputs.
 
The forecast system is aimed at supporting EDC to more accurately forecast solar energy outputs from both utility scales and behind the meter solar systems. More accurate forecasts are a key milestone for the management of Variable Renewable Energy (VRE) integration into the national grid and thus enhancing more adoption of VRE.  
 
In close collaboration with EDC, CAPRED seeks to engage three Solar Forecasting Service Providers (SFSPs) to participate in a pilot project to demonstrate this preferred approach (See Figure 1). SFSPs are requested to respond with a technical and financial proposal for this pilot demonstration (See Section III for further details). For this pilot demonstration phase, the three highest rated SFSPs based on technical and financial propositions will be awarded contracts with CAPRED.
 
The detailed Terms of Reference can be found here: https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RFP25-045-Pilot-of-s…
 
KEY ACTIVITIES
 
This pilot will cover the following key activities:
 
Activity 1: Forecast system testing to identify performance on prediction accuracy and cost-benefit:
 

• CAPRED requests for proposals from SFSPs interested in participating in this pilot and will award contracts to three SFSPs.
• The selected SFPFs perform forecasting of solar energy to be produced for 5 behind the meter clusters, and 5 utility-scale solar locations.
• SFPFs works closely with CAPRED and EDC to demonstrate the performance of their forecast services.
• Each SFPF will provide training for EDC staff on their forecast service. EDC staff must be able to understand the conceptual and technical framework of the forecast service, how to interpret the forecast data, limitations, etc.

 
Activity 2: Simulation of the existing energy management system with the forecast data to identify optimal operations:
 

• Upon receipt of the forecast data from the SFSPs, CAPRED and EDC, with support from a consulting firm, will develop a simulation model to run the forecast data with different energy management systems to:
  • Identify optimal generation energy dispatch scheduling
  • Optimise the requirements of energy reserve margins
  • Identify optimal procurement of different energy sources
  • Measure the costs and benefits of different energy management systems
• CAPRED and EDC will work closely with each SFPS to obtain data in a complete and timely manner to develop and run the simulation model.
• The consulting firm provides capacity building to relevant EDC staff to understand simulation models, interpret the simulated data, finetune the simulation model, limitations, etc.

 
Activity 3: Comparison of performances
 

• CAPRED and EDC will evaluate the technical performance of three SFPFs based on accuracy level, granularity of forecast ability, flexibility and compatibility with Cambodia’s energy system, etc.
  • CAPRED and EDC will conduct implementation cost comparison of different SFPFs over 5- and 10-year horizon.

 
JOB REQUIREMENTS
 
Applications are open to all Cambodia/ international-based companies that meet the following criteria.
 
Technical qualifications:
 
 

• The company is legally registered, either in Cambodia or another jurisdiction.
• The company has a solar energy forecast system that can predict the energy output produced by the utility scale and behind the meter solar systems.
• The company has a proven track record of successfully providing the service to energy supply operators, utility scale solar operators, behind the meter solar installers, etc.
• The company can provide a full-services package including weather data collection, forecasting service for utility scales and behind the meter solar energy, and capacity building for potential users.
• The company is committed to embracing gender equality, disability, and social inclusion (GEDSI) in business management will be prioritised.
• The women-led company will be prioritised.
• The key personnel(s) assigned to the project must:
  • have strong expertise in weather forecasting, behind the meter solar energy and utilities scale systems,
  • demonstrate a good understanding of the company’s solar energy forecast algorithm and can interpret and explain the outputs of the algorithm under different scenarios,
  • have good communication skills,
  • can provide capacity building or training to potential users to ensure effective interpretation and use of the forecast data for their energy operation.

 
Other competencies and Compliance:
 
 

• Demonstrating integrity and high ethical standards.
• Displaying sensitivity and adaptability to cultural, gender, religious, racial, national, and age differences.
• Fulfilling obligations to GEDSI sensitivity and maintaining a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment.
• Strictly complies with the DFAT and Cowater policies, guidelines, and regulation, including Child Protection Code of Conduct and policy, Code of Conducts, the PSEAH policies, Fraud and Corruption Control Policies (e.g., requiring all staff and engaged partners to report suspected non-compliant behavior), and considerations of the Value for Money for the works
• Complying with Cambodia and DFAT’s policies, including climate/environmental protection safeguards policies.
• Teams with an appropriate gender balance are strongly encouraged to apply.

 
APPLICATION PROCESS
 
The proposals including the Technical and Financial Response Forms must be submitted no later than 5pm (Phnom Penh Time) 30 April 2025 by email to procurement@capred.org with “Pilot of solar energy forecast system” in the subject line. Any proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered.
 
The program will host a Q&A session on 10 April 2025. Interested SFSPs can register to join the briefing via procurement@capred.org by 9 April 2025. A link will be provided for those wishing to attend online.
 
CAPRED is available to answer questions or provide more details on the scope of work. Please email: procurement@capred.org  with “Pilot of solar energy forecast system - Enquiry” in the subject line.
 
Attachments:
 

• Technical Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RFP25-045-Technical-…
• Financial Response Form - https://www.cowater.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/04/RFP25-045-Financial-…

 
Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicant on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law.
 
We thank all applicants, however only those shortlisted will be contacted.

ABOUT US
 
Founded in 1985, Cowater International is a leading global development consulting company. Headquartered in Ottawa and with corporate hubs in Auckland, Berlin, Brussels, Helsinki, London, Madrid, Manila, Nairobi, Singapore and Stockholm, Cowater International has successfully delivered a portfolio of over 2500 projects and assignments in more than 95 countries. We work with governments, private sector actors and communities implementing projects that support socio-economic development, institutional strengthening, environmental improvements and advance equal opportunities for all. We are a diverse and experienced team committed to building a better tomorrow for the people we serve. Our adaptive approach to management has led to our yearly award-winning work and recognition as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies since 2017.
 
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