Bankwatch Romania is looking for a consultant to study the local potential for renewable energy and identify feasible solutions for heating in the town of Motru, Gorj County, Romania.

The town of Motru is located near the lignite mines of Oltenia Energy Complex and will be one of the most affected by the future decarbonisation. In Motru, many households are using the network of the local heating thermal power plant, which is fuelled by lignite. The rest of the households have mostly switched to individual gas-fired thermal boilers and others are using wood and/ or coal for heating in outdated polluting stoves.

Motru is also facing a difficult situation in the supply of thermal energy. Failures are more frequent, and recently all residents connected to the district heating system have been left without heat in their homes.

To support the local authorities in the energy transition by replacing the current inefficient system, Bankwatch Romania Association has opened a call for consultancy to study the local potential for renewable energy and identify feasible solutions for heating in Motru.

The objective of the study is to map the potential for sustainable renewable energy sources for heating in Motru, including solar, wind, heat pumps and heat recovery from existing industries, as well as the potential for heat storage, and examine possible energy efficiency measures.

The study should also explore the potential for expansion of the network after it is switched to renewable energy-based district heating and how this can be combined with individual solutions, keeping in mind the climate and geographical features of the town which is situated on the river Motru in western Oltenia, in the vicinity of Plostina and Prigor Hills. It should recommend what specific solutions are preferable and realistic.

Eligibility

A successful candidate should be an expert in the field of sustainable energy, with a background in engineering or similar. They should have extensive knowledge of the heating sector and of renewable energy sources, and at least 10 years of professional experience with these issues. Excellent knowledge of English is required. Knowledge of or previous experience specific to Romania or the central-eastern European region would be beneficial.

How to apply

Applicants should submit their offers by 7 February to dan.dobre@bankwatch.org.

The offer should contain:

1. CV highlighting the required qualifications and experience
2. Application consisting of technical and financial elements. The technical elements comprise a 2-page outline proposal for the study. The financial elements comprise the financial offer including VAT. The candidate should name at least two references who have agreed to support the application.
3. Examples of similar previous work are welcome in support of the application.
4. Signed statement certifying that the candidate does not fall into any situation that is grounds for exclusion from participation in the procurement (according to Bankwatch’s internal procedures)

Full requirements can be downloaded here. Please go through the entire document before applying!