The project "PtX & Battery Value Chains in South Africa - Expert Pool (H2.SA II / BVC)" supports the development of a sustainable green hydrogen, Power-to-X (PtX) and battery economy in South Africa. Implemented by the Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH, the project is part of H2.SA II / BVC, which is co-funded by the European Union and runs until 2030. South Africa has significant potential to develop competitive green hydrogen and PtX industries due to its renewable energy resources, existing infrastructure, industrial base and potential domestic and international markets. At the same time, the country has significant potential to develop sustainable battery value chains, building on its established automotive industry and access to critical raw materials. The project provides support to public and private stakeholders to create an enabling policy and regulatory environment, strengthen capacities, improve the bankability of projects and develop sustainable and inclusive value chains. Its areas of work include strategy, policy and regulatory frameworks; private sector cooperation and finance; capacity strengthening, research and development; sustainability and just transition; and battery value chains. To respond flexibly and efficiently to the diverse and evolving demand for specialised expertise, GIZ intends to establish a framework agreement with an expert pool. The framework will enable the rapid mobilisation of qualified international and local experts for individual assignments addressing specific technical, economic, financial, environmental, social, regulatory, certification and battery value-chain related needs.

10020615-Framework agreement for expertise on green hydrogen and battery value chains in South Africa

The contractor shall provide technical expertise and consulting services on green hydrogen, Power-to-X (PtX) and battery value chains in South Africa. Individual assignments will be called off under the framework agreement according to the specific needs of GIZ and its partners. Expert teams may combine different areas of expertise and levels of seniority, and assignments may be implemented remotely or in South Africa. All advisory services and written deliverables will be provided in English. The services will cover five main thematic focus areas: 1. Engineering & Strategy - Technical and engineering assessments related to PtX, including grid integration, infrastructure and techno-economic assessments; - technical assessment of PtX projects and financial models; - support to the development and implementation of green hydrogen and industrial decarbonisation strategies; - assessment of value-chain competitiveness, localisation opportunities and infrastructure requirements. 2. Economics & Finance - Market analyses, supply and demand forecasts and assessment of trade and offtake opportunities; - cost and cost-benefit analyses of PtX technologies, infrastructure and related investments; - economic modelling and scenario analysis; - assessment of project proposals and financial models; - support for investment promotion, financing and project bankability. 3. Environmental & People - Environmental and social assessments and strategic environmental assessments; - water-use and water-supply assessments; - support for sustainable land use and responsible development of PtX projects; - approaches to community participation, benefit sharing, transparency, accountability and Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC); - support for an equitable and just transition. 4. Regulatory Framework & Certification - Analysis of South African and international regulatory and certification requirements relevant to PtX; - assessment of the compatibility of South African systems with international and EU requirements; - identification of regulatory, technical and institutional gaps; - support for the development and implementation of certification, verification and tracking systems; - capacity building for relevant public institutions and verification bodies. 5. Battery Value Chains - Mapping and analysis of South African battery and critical raw material value chains; - assessment of competitiveness, localisation potential and market opportunities; - analysis of policy, regulatory and institutional frameworks; - assessment of business and financial models and preliminary feasibility studies; - support to improve project bankability and financial viability; - support related to the EU Battery Passport and relevant certification systems. Depending on the individual service request, the contractor shall mobilise and coordinate suitable experts from the established expert pools, prepare and deliver studies, assessments, analyses, policy briefs and other technical outputs, and, where required, present findings at workshops, conferences or other events. The contractor shall also provide the necessary project and contract management, quality assurance, monitoring, reporting and administrative backstopping for the assignments. The framework is intended to provide flexible access to specialised expertise as needs evolve during the implementation period. Individual requests may therefore combine several thematic areas and different types of expertise.