REnew Pacific Off-Grid Renewable Energy Grants: Round 1, 2025
Overview
REnew Pacific is calling for applications from potential partners to deliver off-grid renewable energy solutions in remote and rural communities across the Pacific Islands and Timor-Leste.
This Call for Proposals seeks solutions that will:
- increase access to reliable and affordable off-grid renewable energy in rural and remote communities
- improve lives, livelihoods and climate resilience of remote communities, especially women and people with disabilities.
Summary
Timeline
The below dates are indicative only and subject to change.
- 3 March 2025: Applications open
- 28 April 2025: Final deadline for submission of concept notes at 8:00 p.m. AEST
- 26 May 2025: All concept notes assessed, and applicants informed of outcomes
- March – April 2025: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
- April – June 2025: Final proposals are selected and proceed to due diligence and contracting
- May – June 2025: Kick-off meetings and implementation begins
Scope
We are looking for cost effective, long-lasting solutions to the well-informed development and climate resilience needs of rural and remote communities that are based on renewable energy generation.
The following forms of renewable energy generation will be considered eligible:
- Solar
- Wind
- Hydro
- Tidal
- Biogas
Note: generation of energy through biomass is ineligible for this round.
Battery storage and other forms of system firming are eligible.
Micro-grids, mini-grids, wiring and distribution systems to households or facilities, metering systems, controllers, monitors and inverters are eligible.
Where renewable energy is the primary source of electricity generation, appliances to convert the electricity to priority development and climate adaptation outcomes for beneficiary communities will be considered, for example:
- Lighting
- Cold storage, refrigeration and freezing
- Dessication and other forms of processing for food or agricultural products
- e-Transport
- Water purification and desalination
- Water pumping or irrigation
- Health care, education and IT appliances
- Communications.
This list is not exhaustive. Other appliances will be considered, but it is expected these will be linked to renewable energy generation provided through the same project. Rigorous evidence of community demand for the appliances will be essential.
Eligibility, selection and funding details
A partnership approach is embedded in REnew Pacific. This is considered necessary in most cases to achieve the range of capabilities required for every project: appropriate technical solutions; community engagement; and financing.
These partnerships can include members from the private sector, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), community and religious organisations (e.g. church groups), academic institutions, utilities and government entities.
Partners should demonstrate their joint capabilities and experience to successfully deliver their project and describe the roles of each formal partner and key collaborators that will be engaged in delivery of the solution.
One organisation within the partnership must be the lead applicant.
Applications must describe the human development outcomes that will be achieved through provision of access to renewable energy.
Specifically, applications must demonstrate how the renewable energy solution will enhance livelihoods and improve wellbeing of remote and rural Pacific communities and how outcomes will be sustained and owned by remote and rural Pacific communities. The application must provide evidence of local community consultation to highlight the demand for the project.
We are looking for systems that enable benefits that last for decades. You will need to demonstrate how you will make this happen in your proposal, including the mechanisms through which your project’s beneficiaries will own, operate, maintain, repair, upgrade, and – in the future – replace and dispose of project equipment, inclusive of any associated costs.
Applications can originate from any country, but activities associated with a grant must take place in a Pacific Island Country (PIC) or Timor Leste.
The proposal must include involvement of at least one organisation that is based, legally registered and/or able to operate in a PIC or Timor Leste.
Eligible PICs include ODA-eligible Pacific Island Forum (PIF) member states and Timor-Leste with off-grid renewable energy needs. ODA-eligible PIF members currently are:
• Federated States of Micronesia
• Fiji
• Kiribati
• Nauru
• Niue
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Republic of Marshall Islands
• Samoa
• Solomon Islands
• Timor-Leste
• Tonga
• Tuvalu
• Vanuatu.
Co-contribution is the level (expressed in dollar terms) that project proponents will contribute to the project.
Cash/financial contributions are preferred, including:
• A monetary contribution
• Land or other assets
• Funding from other sources (investors, philanthropists, national government and/or other donors)
• Designated funds for the ongoing Operations and Maintenance of the off-grid renewable energy power systems.
In-kind contribution may also be acceptable, including:
• Volunteer hours
• Equipment, materials and supplies
• Legal assistance
• Overhead/administration costs (maximum 5%)
• Salaries
• Professional and technical services
• Travel and subsistence costs
• Technology
• M&E including dissemination of data/information
• Office and workspace.
All projects must include co-finance and contribution, and higher contributions will be regarded favourably. There is no set minimum contribution benchmark.
Only off-grid renewable energy (RE) systems and associated appliances that are demonstrated as effective in rural and off-grid applications in the Pacific and Timor Leste will be considered as outlined in the scope above.
All projects must focus on off-grid renewable energy solutions in remote and rural areas.
For the purposes of this Call for Proposals, ‘off-grid,’ generally means located outside the geographic areas serviced by a centralised, major electricity grid.
Early project completion will be considered favourably.
For complex or larger-scale projects, the project duration will not exceed 31 December 2028 to allow timely project closures in preparation for the REnew Pacific program-end reporting and closure.
Each funding agreement will be considered individually to allow for an appropriate duration with flexibility to account for technical support, monitoring and evaluation activities, and site visits.
Willingness to cooperate with due diligence processes.
If land is required, that this can be secured and evidence is provided to demonstrate lawful development.
Proposals should illustrate that the planned project aligns with host government renewable energy plans and frameworks, where applicable.
Applicants are open to contact REnew Pacific at the detailed proposal stage of the grant process to ensure strategic alignment with country-level program objectives and opportunities.
Proposed equipment supply chains are to not be deemed high risk for exposure to modern slavery.
Application process
Create a profile on SmartyGrants and submit a brief concept note before 28 April 2025.
Concept notes will be assessed on a rolling basis during the application period, with feedback provided within four weeks of receipt – promising concept notes will be shortlisted.
If you have any questions during the application process, contact the REnew Pacific team on applications@renewpacific.com.au
Submit a concept note
The concept note template is available on SmartyGrants
Shortlisted applicants are supported to submit a full proposal.
Full proposals are assessed and successful applicants proceed to due diligence and contracting.
Kick-off meetings are held to develop a work plan, monitoring plan, and agree on ‘ways of working’.
Implementation begins!
Key areas to consider before applying
When you are planning your proposals, here are some of the key points to consider:
Proposals should prioritise provision of renewable energy access to communities that do not have access to the main electricity grid.
Proposals for communities or facilities that are connected to, could reasonably connect to, or are scheduled for future connection to a designated grid, will generally be considered ineligible.
We recommend developing a clear financial model and plan for how operations and maintenance will be provided and financed, to ensure the long-term sustainability of your initiative. This could include strategies for revenue generation, cost recovery, and technical capabilities to support ongoing operations and maintenance now and into the future. If sustainability relies on further funding, outline any agreements or strategies in place to obtain this.
All proposals must include:
• a partner with a local presence and capability to operate in the proposed location
• a partner with the technical ability to deliver the sustainable energy solution
• partner(s) with the ability to meet the co-contribution requirements for the partnership.
While it is possible that one partner may be able to deliver on all three requirements, it is likely you will need more than one partner for your proposal.
REnew Pacific may in some circumstances be able to assist Pacific-based communities, international organisations and other actors to plug proposal capability gaps by recommending potential partners.
Your proposal should clearly demonstrate how the provision of renewable energy and essential appliances can help improve the lives and livelihoods of individuals in rural and remote communities through socio-economic impacts, with a particular focus on projects that benefit women and people with disabilities. Direct and indirect benefits should be considered.
Information session
REnew Pacific held an information session on Monday 24 February to provide further context and respond to any questions regarding the application process. Check it out below:
Questions?
Get in touch with the REnew Pacific team at info@renewpacific.com.au
Applicant guidelines
REnew Pacific Off-Grid Renewable Energy Grants:
Round 1, 2025
What kind of proposals will be considered?
Target areas
AIFFP invites the submission of proposals addressing one of two target areas:
- Piloting Solutions: These initiatives support piloting and testing technical, commercial and community engagement models to increase affordable and reliable access to off-grid renewable energy for remote communities in the Pacific.
- Scaling Solutions: These initiatives support the implementation of existing and ready-to-scale models to increase affordable and reliable access to off-grid renewable energy for remote communities in the Pacific.
The following are considered in scope:
- Micro and mini-grids that meet the needs of small communities serving up to 300 households
- Community and business infrastructure powered by renewable energy, such as solar irrigation
- and cold storage
- Biogas and mini-hydropower solutions
- Transitioning existing remote infrastructure reliant on fossil fuels to environmentally
- sustainable alternatives
- Single household energy connections, including household solar, provided they clearly meet
- community needs and include viable strategies for maintenance
- Upgrades to existing off-grid connections may also be considered.
All partnership concepts should support solutions that address specific climate impacts on women and create opportunities for women’s active participation and/or leadership. Partnerships are also strongly encouraged that seek to improve outcomes for people with disability and/or socially diverse groups.
Geographic focus
These partnerships are funded by Australia’s Official Development Assistance (ODA) budget. Submissions are therefore invited for proposals that will implement in any ODA-eligible country in the Pacific and Timor-Leste (as determined by the OECD Development Assistance Committee), including proposals that implement in multiple ODA-eligible countries. For a list of ODA-eligible countries, click here.
What selection criteria are used to assess applications?
Key selection criteria
All applications to the Call for Off-grid Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Pacific and Timor-Leste must demonstrate their alignment to five key selection criteria:
• Access to renewable energy
• Inclusive socio-economic impact
• Sustainability and commercial viability
• Partnership
• Value for money
Access to renewable energy: Increased access to reliable and affordable off-grid renewable energy for rural and remote communities
Proposals should demonstrate how they will contribute to the delivery of inclusive, reliable and affordable renewable energy solutions to communities who are not serviced by a main electricity grid, and are unlikely to be connected to an electricity grid in the foreseeable future. Proposals should indicate alignment with national strategies and standards in the country of implementation.
Off-grid renewable solutions could encompass pico solar products, standalone home systems, solar mini and micro grids or hydro systems. Standalone commercial and industrial solutions would be eligible if there is a clear benefit to the surrounding community.
Inclusive socio-economic impact
- Improved lives and livelihoods: Applicants must demonstrate how their proposal can improve the lives and livelihoods of rural and remote communities in the Pacific and/or Timor-Leste through socio-economic and other benefits.
- Gender equality: The Australian Government has designated gender equality as an overarching principle for the Australian development program. Women are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change and disproportionately bear the brunt of energy poverty. All funded partnerships are expected to consult with women and girls and analyse barriers limiting women’s access to energy or risks that particularly impact women and girls. Proposals should clearly identify opportunities to enhance gender equality, create opportunities for women’s active participation and leadership and outline measures to generate additional income streams or other benefits for women and girls.
- Safeguarding: Proposals should identify key risks to communities to ensure appropriate safeguards are put in place and minimise harm, with special consideration of any risks to children and gender-related vulnerabilities such as women’s safety.
- Social inclusion: The AIFFP is interested in supporting proposals that advance social inclusion. These proposals should demonstrate a commitment to accessible design and universal access, ensuring that products and solutions are designed in ways that consider the diverse needs of all members of the community. Proposals should also consider strategies for actively involving people with disabilities, or other groups that may experience marginalization, fostering well-being, inclusivity, and empowerment.
Sustainability and commercial viability
Applications should present clear business model that reflect an understanding of local context and are viable in the long-term when factoring in adequate operating, maintenance, and waste disposal costs. While grant funding can be used to subsidise initial capital expenditure, or market testing or entry, long-term revenue generation should cover ongoing operations, maintenance, replacement capital expenditure, and/or customer service support.
Partnership
Collaboration is important to solving complex challenges such as renewable energy access in remote communities. Applicants should consider who are key actors/stakeholders they need to work/partner with and the roles they might play to support the long-term viability of the proposal.
Partners with deep understanding and connections to local communities, including those who have an understanding of local gender dynamics, are encouraged.
For proposals that are bringing in multiple stakeholders, AIFFP would look for proposals that demonstrate:
- Clear and complementary roles and contributions for all partners, with demonstrated capacity to deliver the proposal.
- Clear mutual benefits and investment in shared objectives and some demonstration of incentives to maintain objectives beyond REnew Pacific, and equitable/ collaborative governance mechanism to maintain objectives.
- Equitable/ collaborative governance mechanism to ensure inclusive decision making, valuing all voices and ensuring challenges can be navigated effectively.
Value for money
Value for money is a critical consideration to achieving the strategic objectives of the Australian development program. It is a requirement under the Public Governance, Performance and Accountability Act (2013) and the Commonwealth Procurement Rules. For more information on Value for Money Principles see: https://dfat.gov.au/aid/who-we-work-with/value-for-money-principles/Pages/value-for-money-principles.aspx
In selection, the AIFFP will consider two key factors in relation to value for money:
- Additionality: Additionality is using DFAT resources to generate measurable environmental and development impact through REnew Pacific partnerships which would not have otherwise occurred. Partnerships can demonstrate additionality by articulating the need for REnew Pacific funding to catalyse investment (i.e. the investment provided by REnew Pacific would not have been provided by other sources), and how partners will benefit from DFAT resources and expertise in the partnerships.
- Leverage: Leverage refers to the investment from partners through cash or in-kind co-contributions. Applications committing more matching contribution for their proposal type, particularly cash investment, may be preferenced.
Other factors to consider when applying
DFAT undertakes a range of risk management measures as well as the application of safeguards for all its investments. Applicants and associated partners will need to comply with these policies in order to be eligible for the REnew Pacific. DFAT’s safeguard policies include:
- Child protection.
- Prevention of sexual exploitation, abuse, and harassment.
- Environmental and social safeguards.
Disability inclusive development is a priority for the Australian Government. Applicants are encouraged to demonstrate how their proposal promotes an improved quality of life for people with disabilities in partner countries. Further information on disability inclusion can be found on the DFAT website.
Successful applications must be sure that any initiatives adhere to principles of efficient, effective, economical and ethical procurement of materials and products, including taking action to identify and address modern slavery risks in their procurement activities. During implementation, initiatives will be required to regularly report on qualitative and quantitative indicators measuring progress towards their initiative goals and targets.
Who can apply?
Eligible applicants
Applicant organisations can originate from any country; however, at least one partner must be able to operate in the country they wish to implement their activities.
Applicant organisations need to be able to meet the requirements of DFAT’s due diligence process, including:
- Registration with a business or other recognised registration/accreditation body.
- Established financial history.
- Not listed on sanctions lists, including those published by the Australian Government, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or the Inter-American Development Bank.
- Other background criminal and reputational checks.
The REnew Pacific reserves the right to reassess any proposal if the partners change. This includes situations where the proposal is selected for REnew Pacific support, but previously identified partners withdraw from the partnership.
What is REnew Pacific’s partnership approach?
REnew Pacific’s partnership framework
The REnew Pacific enables strategic partnerships between DFAT and other partners to catalyse and learn from new renewable energy investments and business models in the Pacific and Timor-Leste, particularly those developing sustainable and gender-responsive delivery models.
The REnew Pacific’s partnership framework recognises that DFAT, businesses and other partnering organisations have significant skills, expertise and resources they are able to bring to the partnership. Operating through a partnership versus purely transactional approach brings increased flexibility, mutual accountability and creative problem solving to achieve mutual objectives. For multi-stakeholder or complex partnerships, the REnew Pacific can help provide independent partnership brokers to support establishing and maintaining effective and adaptive ways of working. The REnew Pacific partnership principles and approach is described further in https://renewpacific.com.au/how-we-partner.
Funding details
How much funding can be requested from the REnew Pacific?
The funding available for the REnew Pacific’s Off-grid Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Pacific and Timor-Leste varies depending on the type of proposal:
- Piloting Solutions proposals have a funding range of AUD 50,000-250,000.
- Scaling Solutions proposals have a funding range of AUD 250,000-1,000,000.
Are there any ineligible costs?
REnew Pacific is unable to fund:
- Fundraising
- Advocacy (unless specific to the REnew Pacific objective then should be attributable)
- Management fee mark-ups (documented reasonable administrative or overhead costs may be allowable)
- Corporate or organisational marketing and communications (communications specific to disseminating project outcomes and learning are eligible and should be attributable to REnew Pacific)
- Retroactive expenses: i.e. costs incurred prior to the effective start date of the contract
- Taxes and import duties applied by governments and public authorities
What kind of co-contribution is required?
- Co-contributions for the REnew Pacific’s Off-grid Renewable Energy Partnerships in the Pacific and Timor-Leste vary depending on the proposal window:
- Piloting Solutions initiatives require a meaningful cash or in-kind contribution by partners, demonstrating commitment to the implementation and sustainability of the proposed initiatives. More significant cash contributions will be viewed favourably in the selection process.
- Scaling Solutions initiatives require a cash co-contribution of at least 25% of the funding amount during the implementation period.
- Co-investment can be split between partner applicants, allowing multiple organisations to contribute.
- Co-investment can be provided over the length of the proposal and should be reported every six months during implementation.
- Co-investment from applicant organisations must be specific to the proposal and not part of activities the organisations are already undertaking. Given the commercial focus of the REnew Pacific, other donor funds generally cannot be counted towards partner co-investment.
- For REnew Pacific purposes, cash co-investment is defined as funds provided by the applicant organisations for the purposes of undertaking the proposal.
- In-kind co-investment consists of non-monetary inputs committed by the applicant organisations. These normally include staff hours, facilities, equipment and services provided by a partner organisation from its own resources. REnew Pacific will recognise in-kind co-investment at the fair market value normally expected to be paid for the good or service.
What is the period of funding?
Implementation periods may range from a minimum of 12 months to a maximum of 24 months. The selected partnerships should mobilise no later than March 2024.
Application process
What are the steps in the application process?
Submit a concept note
Shortlisted applicants are invited to meet and discuss the concept note in more detail.
Shortlisted applicants are supported to submit a full proposal.
Full proposals are assessed, and successful applicants proceed to due diligence and contracting.
Kick-off meetings are held to develop a work plan, monitoring plan, and agree on ‘ways of working’.
Implementation begins!
Concept note
Interested applicants are invited to submit a short concept note in the provided template (https://theREnew Pacific.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/Pacific-Renewables-Concept-Note-Template.pptx). The final date for submission of concept notes is at 8:00 p.m AEST / GMT +11 on 23 October 2023.
Full proposal
Applicants who are successful in proceeding to the next stage of the application process will be invited to prepare a full proposal using a form provided by the REnew Pacific. The full proposal will cover the same topics as the concept note, asking for more details regarding approaches, assumptions, implementation plans, monitoring and evaluation and risks. Applicants may be invited to a remote session to discuss their proposal. Support available to shortlisted applicants will be communicated by the REnew Pacific team, including business advisory, partnership and gender and social inclusion.
Final selection
After applicants submit their full proposals, the REnew Pacific will assess them to inform a final selection by DFAT. Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified of the outcome.
Due diligence
Applicant organisations need to be able to meet the requirements of DFAT’s due diligence process, including:
- Registration with a business or other recognised registration/accreditation body
- For those receiving funding, an established financial history
- Not listed on sanctions lists, including those published by the Australian Government, the World Bank, Asian Development Bank, African Development Bank, European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, or the Inter-American Development Bank.
Other background criminal and reputational checks.
The REnew Pacific reserves the right to reassess any proposal if the partners change. This includes situations where the proposal is selected for REnew Pacific support, but previously identified partners withdraw from the partnership.
Due diligence will be conducted on all partners for selected proposals. Due diligence assessments are designed to highlight and mitigate potential fiduciary, safeguarding and reputational risks that may arise. Partners will need to provide appropriate documentation to assist with due diligence assessments. DFAT may decide following due diligence conducted by the REnew Pacific not to continue with a proposal that represents significant fiduciary or reputational risk to the Australian Government.
Estimated timelines
The below dates are indicative only and subject to change.
- 22 August 2023: Applications open
- 12 September 2023: First round assessment of received applications
- 23 October 2023: Final deadline for submission of concept notes at 8:00 p.m. AEST / 5:00 p.m. ICT
- September – November 2023: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis and shortlisted applicants will be invited to submit full proposals.
- October – December 2023: Final proposals are selected and proceed to due diligence and contracting
- Dec 2023 – March 2024: Kick-off meetings and implementation begins
How will REnew Pacific Off-grid Renewable Energy Partnerships be implemented?
Implementation
A contract will be negotiated and signed between the Contracting Partner and the REnew Pacific. The contract will define funding milestones, and establish the terms, conditions and requirements for acquittal of the funds. Tranche payments will be linked to the completion of milestones.
The REnew Pacific will organise kick-off workshops with selected partners. Workshops will address partnership “ways of working,” detailed work planning and monitoring and results measurement. Partners will be supported to develop Impact Measurement Plans, comprising key indicators against planned outcomes.
Measuring impact will help partners and the REnew Pacific to track progress towards achieving the planned outcomes of your initiative. Collecting data also offers an opportunity to reflect on progress, learn and adapt. REnew Pacific reporting requires partners to briefly present basic data, progress and challenges together with the financial position of your initiative on a 6-monthly basis. A more comprehensive final report is required at the end of the implementation period.
REnew Pacific support
The REnew Pacific can provide limited additional technical support to REnew Pacific partners throughout the funding period of the proposal from partnership, business, climate, gender and inclusion, communications, and monitoring and results measurement advisers.
Ready to apply?
How do I apply?
Ready to get started? Follow these steps to apply:
- Create a profile on SmartyGrants.
- Download the concept note application template from SmartyGrants or access it here.
- Follow the steps provided, including uploading your completed as early as possible. The final deadline for Concept Notes is no later than 8:00 p.m. AEST on 23 October 2023.
- Applicants who are invited to proceed to the next stage of the process will be notified.
- Applications will be assessed on a rolling basis and may progress to full proposal at any time during the application period so early submission is encouraged.
Note: All application data will be kept in the strictest confidence. All DFAT officers and REnew Pacific personnel that review applications are bound by confidentiality/non-disclosure arrangements.
REnew Pacific may seek permission from applicants to share high-quality applications that could not be funded through this call for partnerships with other funding sources.
Applications will be assessed by the REnew Pacific in accordance with the key selection criteria.
Have questions or need help?
Contact
Email us: applications@renewpacific.com.au
Frequently asked questions
The REnew Pacific team and technical resources can provide technical and practical support for full proposal development for high-potential concepts that are shortlisted at the concept note review stage. Support may include partnership scoping and building, gender and inclusion, technical and business advisory aspects. REnew Pacific is not able to fund travel or staff costs at the application stage.
The concept note template is available here.
Submission of the concept note template and the rest of your application will need to be done through SmartyGrants.
The REnew Pacific is unable to provide funding for taxation purposes. Any taxation requirements are the responsibility of the applicant(s) and cannot be paid for with grant funding from the REnew Pacific. It is recommended applicants seek legal and/or financial advice including on eligibility for tax exemptions.
For example:
Partner A buys equipment from overseas to a partner country at original price of AUD 22,000. Partner A is required to pay for import tax and customs duty at 15% of the equipment’s value when the medical equipment is imported to the partner country. The REnew Pacific may fund the original price of AUD 22,000 but will not cover 15% extra cost (AUD 3,300 equivalent) of import and customs taxes. It will be partner’s responsibility to cover the extra cost of tax and customs duty.
If the contracting partner is registered in Australia for tax purposes, including NGOs/NFPs who may serve as contracting partner, Goods and Services Tax (GST) is payable by the REnew Pacific in addition to the grant funding awarded.
For example:
Partner B has been awarded a grant funding amount of AUD 200,000. Partner B is an eligible organisation registered in Australia for tax purposes and nominated as a contracting partner with Palladium. The total amount provided by the REnew Pacific including payable GST will be AUD 220,000.
Yes, past REnew Pacific partners are eligible to apply provided the proposal is distinct from the original REnew Pacific proposal.
Both successful and unsuccessful applicants will be notified to the prime email listed on the SmartyGrants application. Please check your email’s inbox and spam folders to access the notification.
We anticipate between 5 and 10 proposals will be selected depending on the budget levels of selected proposals and the quality of applications.
Yes, organisations can submit more than one concept note for distinct ideas.