Energy Audit and ESCO Capacity Building Services

RFP Number: RFP26-064

Project Name: Energy Audit and ESCO Capacity Building Services

Domain Name: Infrastructure Application 

Closing Date: 5 pm (Phnom Penh Time), 30 April 2026

Assignment Duration: May 2026– March 2027

Location of assignment: Phnom Penh, with frequent travel to the designated sites in provinces.

1. Background

1.1. About CAPRED 

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.

1.2. About CAPRED’s Energy Portfolio 

CAPRED supports Cambodia’s transition toward a cleaner, more reliable, and affordable energy system. This includes technical assistance to the Ministry of Mines and Energy (MME), Electricité du Cambodge (EDC), Electricity Authority of Cambodia (EAC) and private sector stakeholders to accelerate the integration of renewable energy, promote energy efficiency, and strengthen technical capacity in the energy sector.

As part of this support, CAPRED is implementing an Energy Service Company (ESCO) Pilot Demonstration Program, which aims to promote and test ESCO-based investment models for energy efficiency measures in selected energy-intensive sectors, including agriculture production and processing enterprises, ice-making facilities, and hotels. The program is implemented in collaboration with ESCOs and participating facility owners and includes technical support to identify, assess, and develop energy efficiency opportunities for potential investment.

This work contributes to the implementation of Cambodia’s National Energy Efficiency Policy (NEEP), which promotes improved energy performance in industrial and other targeted sectors, encourages private sector investment in energy efficiency, and supports the reduction of overall energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions through the adoption of energy efficiency measures.

2. Objective

The objective of this assignment is to:

• Conduct level 2 energy audits for up to five facilities participating in the ESCO Pilot Demonstration Program. The energy audits will identify energy efficiency measures, assess their technical and financial feasibility, and provide reliable data to inform potential investments.
• Provide on-the-job coaching to CAPRED’s ESCO partners during the assignment to strengthen their capacity to independently undertake energy audits and prepare investment-ready energy efficiency projects.

3. Scope of the Work

CAPRED seeks to engage qualified consulting firm or consortium to provide technical services to conduct the detailed energy audits at participating facilities and provide on-the-job coaching to CAPRED’s ESCO partners. The assignment will consist of the following two scopes of work:

Scope 1 – Conduct detailed energy audits for up to five facilities

The consulting firm/consortium shall conduct Level 2 energy audits for up to five facilities in Cambodia, in accordance with recognised international standards and good industry practice (e.g. ISO 50002 or equivalent). The work shall be carried out in the following phases.

Pre-audit phase:

• Confirm scope, methodology, and workplan with CAPRED and facility owners
• Collect and review available facility information, including energy consumption data, production data, equipment inventory, and operational information
• Identify major energy-consuming systems and define measurement requirements
• Prepare audit tools, templates, and site visit schedule

During audit phase:

• Conduct on-site energy assessments of major energy-using systems
• Perform on-site measurements and checks to assess energy consumption and the performance of major energy-using systems
• Analyse energy consumption patterns and establish baseline performance indicators
• Identify potential energy efficiency opportunities and operational improvements
• Discuss preliminary findings with facility representatives and CAPRED

The audit shall cover major energy-consuming systems as relevant to each facility, including but not limited to electrical systems, motors, refrigeration, HVAC, compressed air, steam systems, lighting, and generators.

Post-audit phase:

• Identify priority measures suitable for ESCO-based investment
• Assess technical and financial feasibility of identified energy efficiency measures
• Estimate potential energy savings, investment costs, indicative payback periods, and associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reductions
• Prepare draft and final energy audit reports for each facility
• Present findings and recommendations to facility owners and CAPRED

Scope 2: Provide on-job coaching on energy audit to CAPRED’s ESCO partners

The consulting firm/consortium shall provide practical, on-the-job coaching to CAPRED’s ESCO partners throughout all phases of the energy audit assignment (pre-audit, during audit, and post-audit) to strengthen their capacity to independently undertake energy audits and develop investment-ready energy efficiency projects.

• Orientation on energy audit methodology, tools, and reporting requirements
• Demonstration of data collection, measurement, and analysis techniques
• Guidance on identifying and prioritising energy efficiency opportunities
• Support in preparing calculations, feasibility analysis, and audit reports
• Ongoing technical guidance during site visits, analysis, and reporting

4. Qualifications or Specialized Knowledge/Experience Required

The consulting firm/consortium shall demonstrate that it has the necessary experience, technical capacity, and qualified personnel to carry out the assignment. The firm may propose a team of experts with complementary expertise. 

4.1. Firm Experience

The consulting firm/consortium shall demonstrate:

• Proven experience in conducting energy audits, preferably Level 2 or equivalent (experience with Investment Grade Audits (IGA) is highly desirable)
• Experience in energy efficiency projects in sectors such as agriculture processing, food processing, refrigeration, ice-making, or hospitality is an advantage
• Experience working with a broad range of stakeholders (development partners, government agencies, and private sector clients) is highly desirable
• Experience related to ESCO, energy efficiency investment, or clean energy projects
• Experience working in Cambodia and/or Southeast Asia is preferred

4.2. Team Qualifications

• The proposed team shall include qualified personnel with relevant education and experience
• All team members shall have at least a bachelor’s degree in engineering (electrical, mechanical, energy, or related field)
• At least one team member shall have certification or accreditation as an energy auditor or equivalent
• Team members should have experience conducting energy audits and feasibility assessments
• Experience in preparing technical and financial analysis of energy efficiency measures is required
• Ability to deliver training or on-the-job coaching

4.3. Other Technical Capacity

• The consulting firm/consortium shall demonstrate:
• Knowledge of recognised energy audit standards (e.g. ISO 50001, ISO 50002, or equivalent)
• Ability to conduct on-site measurements and technical assessments
• Access to appropriate audit tools, instruments, and software
• Capacity to analyse energy performance and estimate savings, costs, and payback periods
• Ability to prepare clear technical reports suitable for investment decision-making

4.4. Other Qualifications 

• Demonstrate integrity and high ethical standards.
• Display cultural, gender, religion, race, nationality and age sensitivity and adaptability.
• Treat all people fairly and equally.
• Fulfil obligations to GEDSI sensitivity and zero tolerance for sexual harassment.
• Strictly complies with the DFAT Child Protection Code of Conduct and policy (https://www.dfat.gov.au/sites/default/files/child-protection-policy.pdf)
• Teams with a gender balance are strongly encouraged to apply

5. Evaluation

CAPRED will use an objective and reliable process to evaluate each proposal. The proposals and responses will be evaluated based on (in no particular order):

1. Compliance with this Request for Proposals (RFP).
2. Demonstrated understanding of the assignment and ability to meet the required deliverables and timeline.
3. Relevant experience of the consulting firm/consortium in similar assignments 
4. Expertise of individuals and the overall team nominated to deliver the service. CAPRED reserves the right to reject any individual proposed and to ask the supplier to provide an alternative.
5. Past performance on similar assignments, including reference checks
6. Quality and relevance of previous work examples
7. Proposed financial plan for the services.

Note: While price is a factor, it is more important that the applicant can demonstrate value for money. CAPRED reserves the right to contract more than one supplier for these services and may actively seek to contract more than one supplier to ensure the supply of technical services. CAPRED reserves the right to vary the contract terms and to exercise the option period at its sole discretion.

Due diligence checks will be conducted on the organization/s and individuals nominated in the RFP prior to awarding contract/s.

6. How to Apply

The proposals including the Technical and Financial Response Forms must be submitted no later than 5 pm (Phnom Penh time), 30 April 2026 by email to procurement@capred.org with “RFP26-064 – Energy Audit and ESCO Capacity Building Services” in the subject line. Any proposals submitted after this time and date will not be considered.

The applicant is required to submit the Response Form in English (form provided separately), and with an indication of a daily rate for each task/service as per section C of the Response Form. The rate should include any and all costs to carry out the work in the specified location. In addition to the proposal fee, the applicant should also detail any other relevant assumptions or required terms.

The program will host a Q&A session on 21 April 2026. Interested bidders may register to join the briefing by emailing procurement@capred.org, no later than 20 April 2026. 

CAPRED is also available to answer questions or provide further details on the scope of work. Please email procurement@capred.org with the subject line: RFP26-064- Energy Audit and ESCO CB Services – Enquiry, no later than 24 April 2026.

Attachments: 

Technical Response Form 

Financial Response Form

Cowater International is an equal opportunity employer, basing employment on merit and qualifications as they relate to the professional experience and position expectations. Cowater does not discriminate against any employee or applicants on the basis of race, religion, sex, gender identity, disability, age, or any other basis protected by law. CAPRED aims to have a diverse workforce and a workplace that is supportive of gender equality, disability and social inclusion. Women, people with disabilities and other minorities are highly encouraged to apply.