Request for Information (RFI) on USAID New Energy Activity in Central Asia | 72011524RFI00001

Opportunity Information: Apply for 72011524RFI00001

This opportunity is a Request for Information (RFI) from USAID Central Asia focused on shaping the design of a forthcoming regional energy activity in Central Asia. It is not a funding solicitation or a call for full proposals; instead, USAID is collecting practical input from organizations and individuals who have relevant experience in the region or in energy-sector reform. The goal is to use the responses to refine how USAID might structure future assistance aimed at modernizing energy systems and markets across Central Asian countries.

USAID indicates that the anticipated activity would support broader U.S. Government objectives in the region by advancing four main themes. First, it aims to increase regional electricity interconnection, meaning improved cross-border coordination and infrastructure that allow power systems to operate more reliably together and potentially trade electricity more effectively. Second, it seeks to promote and incorporate green energy, which typically includes scaling renewable generation, integrating variable renewables into the grid, and improving enabling policies and technical standards that make clean power investments viable. Third, it intends to catalyze investment in energy efficiency, which can cover upgrades in industry, buildings, district heating, public infrastructure, and utility operations, as well as reforms that make efficiency projects financeable and measurable. Fourth, it emphasizes increasing transparency in energy markets, generally pointing to clearer market rules, better access to data, improved governance and oversight, reduced opportunities for corruption, and more predictable regulatory environments that can attract private capital and build public trust.

The RFI specifically invites recommendations on how USAID should structure its assistance to help Central Asian countries reform and modernize their energy sectors. In practice, that means USAID is looking for ideas on what types of interventions are likely to work, how to prioritize among competing needs, what partnerships make sense (government, regulators, utilities, private sector, investors, and regional bodies), and how to sequence reforms so technical work, policy change, and investment mobilization reinforce each other. Because the RFI is framed around project design, respondents would typically share insights such as key barriers in the region, lessons learned from similar efforts, realistic approaches to implementation, risk considerations, and suggestions for results metrics that demonstrate real market and systems improvements.

From the listing details, this is categorized under Energy and uses an "Other" instrument type and category, reinforcing that it is an information-gathering exercise rather than a standard grant competition. Eligibility is listed as unrestricted, so there are no stated limitations on who may respond to the RFI. The issuing organization is USAID in Kazakhstan (USAID-Almaty) under USAID Central Asia. The opportunity number is 72011524RFI00001, and the title is "Request for Information (RFI) on USAID New Energy Activity in Central Asia." The original closing date is December 12, 2023. The award ceiling is shown as 0 and expected awards as 1, which is consistent with an RFI where USAID may later release a separate solicitation for funding once the project design is finalized.

Overall, the opportunity is best understood as an early market-sounding step: USAID is signaling its intent to launch a new energy-focused initiative in Central Asia and is asking the field to help shape it. Any party with relevant technical, policy, finance, or regional integration experience is being invited to provide actionable recommendations that USAID can incorporate into the structure, scope, and priorities of the anticipated activity.

• The Kazakhstan USAID-Almaty in the energy sector is offering a public funding opportunity titled "Request for Information (RFI) on USAID New Energy Activity in Central Asia" and is now available to receive applicants.
• Interested and eligible applicants and submit their applications by referencing the CFDA number(s): 98.001.
• This funding opportunity was created on 2023-11-08.
• Applicants must submit their applications by 2023-12-12. (Agency may still review applications by suitable applicants for the remaining/unused allocated funding in 2026.)
• The number of recipients for this funding is limited to 1 candidate(s).
• Eligible applicants include: Unrestricted.

Apply for 72011524RFI00001

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