As a pioneer in solar energy in Denmark, NIRAS has been providing advisory services for sustainable energy solutions since the 1980s. Our capacity-building expertise enhances the ability of local government institutions to keep up with new actors and developments in the energy sector while ensuring good governance. Today, we offer expert advice in the areas of policy, finance, regulation, institutional development and fund management. On the latter, NIRAS-managed energy funds multiply finance from public sources through private investors and ensure long-term goals are attained.
The growing demand for energy intensifies the climate change challenges many countries are facing. At the same time, however, the cost of renewable energy (RE) has decreased dramatically while innovations in smart grids and storage technologies have eased the shift towards green energy sources. Mindful of global best practice and local conditions, NIRAS assesses and further develops countries’ RE support schemes. We evaluate whether regulatory frameworks are conducive to RE and identify low-cost, high-impact solutions to facilitate further investment.
We also offer a broad portfolio of energy efficiency (EE) services, including energy audit programmes and energy management systems, strengthening the policy and regulatory framework (setting of standards, labelling, certification) as well as the financial engineering of EE projects.
To help kickstart ´Just Energy Transition´ initiatives worldwide NIRAS supports governments and companies in exploring solutions towards alternative forms of energy, using hydrogen and green fuels among others to realize the decarbonization of industry and other parts of the value chain.
in-house energy and environment specialists
NIRAS is at the forefront of developing innovative energy finance schemes, ensuring the delivery of clean, affordable and sustainable energy to the world’s poorest people.
Active Projects
Supporting Provincial Hydrogen Strategies: Mapping of Green Hydrogen Opportunities (Challenges) in South African Provinces
FUNDER:
Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ)
DURATION:
2023-2025
Harnessing the potential of green hydrogen is a priority of the South African–German Energy Partnership. Green hydrogen is a key driver of decarbonisation efforts and combating global warming as well as part of the solutions for the electricity crisis, where renewable energies can help. NIRAS is conducting a study that includes recommendations for the development of green hydrogen strategies promotion in three provinces. The project is part of South Africa's efforts to assert its potential global leadership in green hydrogen, as outlined in the Hydrogen Society Roadmap, the Green Hydrogen Commercialisation Strategy, and the South African Renewable Energy Masterplan.
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA)
FUNDER:
Multi-donor
DURATION:
2022-2027
Beyond the Grid Fund for Africa (BGFA), is a NEFCO-managed results-based financing programme that aims to develop markets for off grid energy solutions. Its goal is to provide clean and affordable energy by establishing up to 1.7 million energy connections, benefiting more than 8.6 million people in Burkina Faso, DR Congo, Liberia, Mozambique, Zambia and Uganda by 2028. NIRAS is supporting two components of BGFA. In the first, we are monitoring, reporting and verifying the performance of the energy service providers (ESPs) contracted to provide sustainable off-grid services to ensure results are being delivered and payments can be made. In the second, we are providing institutional technical assistance to local authorities and stakeholders to support the development of a "platform for market change" such as an Off-Grid Task Force/OGTF (or similar) to create a business environment conducive to renewable off-grid services. This support is tailored to local conditions and engages a range of local and international stakeholders to improve market conditions through a combination of capacity building and technical assistance, stakeholder outreach and market intelligence development.
Energy Enterprise Coach (EEC)
FUNDER:
Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) via the EU, MFA Netherlands, Danida
DURATION:
2022-2026
The Energy Enterprise Coach (EEC) is a NIRAS-managed flagship initiative conceptualised and funded by the Netherlands Enterprise Agency (RVO) and Energizing Development (EnDev) to deliver business development solutions that enable renewable energy enterprises to increase sales, access finance and scale operations. EEC offer the best skills, services and expertise to support professionalisation of clean energy small and medium-sized enterprises to foster their growth and development. The EEC team will leverage its strong experience in enterprise development and digital innovation to become a best-in-class one stop shop and globally recognised go-to facility for BDS delivery to renewable energy enterprises. The EEC offers three forms of business development support: E-Learning, group-based training and one-on-one mentorship support. Interventions are tailored to the enterprise’s stage of growth (either early, growth or advanced), clean energy offering (improved and clean cooking, biodigesters, organic fertiliser and off-grid solar), context and location. The EEC focuses on high priority intervention areas where the greatest impact can be achieved.
Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP)
FUNDER:
Multi-donor
DURATION:
2022-2025
Since 2022, NIRAS has been the MEL partner of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), an initiative jointly funded by Rockefeller Foundation, IKEA Foundation, and Bezos Earth Fund. GEAPP aims to support developing countries’ shift to clean energy, using a pro-growth model with long-term goals to reduce carbon emissions, increase access to energy, improve jobs and livelihoods, and mobilise climate finance. As a critical friend of a fast-growing initiative, NIRAS provides thought leadership to help GEAPP review and revise key methodologies, such as the process for setting country impact targets, and has provided on-demand support to key stakeholders (including board members, or country teams).
To support GEAPP in better communicating its impact, a NIRAS in-house digital solutions specialist designed a bespoke MIS dashboard to collect and publish aggregable indicators relevant to GEAPP’s long-term impacts in real time. We have also developed a comprehensive MEL framework to cover a diverse set of interventions within the GEAPP portfolio and ensure a cohesive approach across all workstreams and geographies.
Other significant projects in recent years
Mission to Prepare the Launch of the EU Support Programme for Tunisia
COUNTRY: Tunisia
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €97K
DURATION: 2019-2023
Enhancement of the Policy, Legal & Regulatory Environment & Capacity Building for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
COUNTRY: Zambia
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €3,9M
DURATION: 2018-2023
Renewables Meta Review
COUNTRY: Multi
CLIENT: Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
CONTRACT VALUE: €1,3M
DURATION: 2018-2023
Review of the SADC Regional Energy Access Strategy & Action Plan
COUNTRY: SADC member countries
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €94K
DURATION: 2019-2021
Mission to Prepare the Launch of the EU Support Programme for Tunisia
COUNTRY: Tunisia
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €97K
DURATION: 2019-2023
Enhancement of the Policy, Legal & Regulatory Environment & Capacity Building for Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency
COUNTRY: Zambia
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €3,9M
DURATION: 2018-2023
Renewables Meta Review
COUNTRY: Multi
CLIENT: Children’s Investment Fund Foundation
CONTRACT VALUE: €1,3M
DURATION: 2018-2023
Review of the SADC Regional Energy Access Strategy & Action Plan
COUNTRY: SADC member countries
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €94K
DURATION: 2019-2021
Feasibility Study for Sinoe Rapids Small Hydropower Plant
COUNTRY: Liberia
CLIENT: EU
CONTRACT VALUE: €245K
DURATION: 2018-2019