EBRD launches consultancy tender for GEFF Lebanon

The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development has launched tender inviting consultancy firms to advise on the US$200 million Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) – a green bank for energy and infrastructure projects in Lebanon.

GEFF Lebanon will provide financing of up to US$200 million for GET investments in line with the EBRD methodology and approach to intermediated financing of sustainable energy and resource efficiency technologies and in line with donor requirements/specific eligibility criteria. GEFF Lebanon will provide financing in the form of senior unsecured loans to Participating Financial Institutions (PFIs). These loans shall be dedicated to finance private sector sub-borrowers in Lebanon for investment in green technologies and services supporting Green Economy Transition.

It is envisaged that the GEFF Lebanon will be implemented in 2 phases as follows:

• Phase 1 would be a follow up on the Pilot GEFF Lebanon Programme combining the EBRD funding with expected concessional funding from donors (up to US$100 million in total). Phase 1 is expected to be launched in late 2019 or early 2020 and it is expected that 2 PFIs will participate.
• Phase 2 would combine the EBRD funding of up to US$100 million with incentive payments to end-borrowers. It is expected to be launched in the second half of 2020 through 2-3 PFIs. The eligibility criteria for the second phase may differ from the first phase with incentives potentially used to target harder-to-reach market sectors or more innovative, high-performance technologies.

The selected Consultant is expected to provide the following services:

• Support the implementation of Phase 1 of the Facility, resulting in a portfolio of eligible Sub-projects.
• Support the EBRD in preparation and implementation of Phase 2 of the Facility, resulting in a portfolio of eligible Sub-projects.
• Verify and confirm that Sub-projects financed by each Sub-loan (“Sub-projects”) have been completed substantially in line with eligibility requirements of the Facility.

The deadline for the submission of documents is on October 17, 2019.