Call for Proposals: PIND Coastal Communities Off-Grid Energy Challenge Fund 2025

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The Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND) is inviting proposals for the Coastal Communities Off-Grid Energy Challenge Fund—a competitive opportunity for energy innovators and solution providers to deploy clean, affordable, and scalable off-grid systems in underserved coastal communities across the Niger Delta.

The Challenge is designed to support renewable energy businesses and allied organizations in delivering highly innovative, market-oriented ted energy access interventions for last-mile coastal communities. Projects must address the energy trilemma of Clean, Affordable, and Accessible Energy.

The ultimate goal is to spur the development of innovative, sustainable energy models that address electricity access gaps in off-grid areas while enabling viable business opportunities for new entrants into the distributed renewable energy (DRE) sector.

Coastal Communities Off-Grid Energy Challenge Fund Objectives

Call Objectives

PIND seeks proposals for energy projects that:

Expand electricity access through sustainable business models, reducing dependency on fossil fuel generators.
Support productive use of energy in agriculture, small-scale industries, and income-generating activities.
Strengthen essential community services such as healthcare, education, and digital access-through reliable energy solutions.
Enhance community resilience and economic stability.
Promote partnerships among energy developers, investors, and local enterprises to scale market-driven solutions.

Specific Objectives:

Enable reliable and affordable energy access for households, businesses, and social enterprises.
Establish commercially viable, decentralized renewable energy systems operated by private developers.
Stimulate local economies through energy-enabled livelihoods and value chains.
Demonstrate scalability and long-term sustainability of renewable energy solutions for underserved coastal communities.
Ensure uninterrupted energy supply to community health facilities to improve the delivery of medical services.

Scope of Work

The proposed projects should promote affordable, reliable, and low-carbon energy access while enhancing the social and economic well-being of target communities.

Applications must clearly outline how the proposed interventions will result in measurable improvements in energy access, economic inclusion, and quality of life in poor or underserved communities. Projects must meet the following criteria:

Local Relevance: Solutions must target critical energy needs in coastal economic sectors agriculture. MSMEs, health, and education with demonstrable impact on households and local enterprises.
Practicality and Scalability: Solutions must be technically feasible, cost-effective, and and ready for implementation. Proposals should identify implementation risks and outline pathways to scale across similar geographies.
Clarity and and Feasibility: A clear roodmap and implementation plan must be presented, including milestones and timelines achievable within the 3-month project duration.
Sustainability: Projects should have strong long-term operational and financial sustainability plans, covering operations & maintenance (O&M), revenue generation, and capacity building
System Performance & Maintenance: Proposals must detail:
- O&M protocols and frequency of system checks.
- Defined fault response and escalation mechanisms.
- System uptime/performance guarantees.
- Cost-calibrated O&M plans aligned with revenue cycles.
Reporting & Compliance Applicants must propose a framework for:
- Periodic performance reporting
- Environmental, health, safety, and labor standards compliance

Funding and Support

Proposals should outline:
- Total project cost (itemized by infrastructure, equipment, logistics, working capital, etc.).
- Specific technical or financial assistance required.
- Projected return on investment and route to market.
PIND will consider minimal financial assistance for near-completion energy access projects that demonstrate a strong case for re-engineering or acceleration.
Syndicated or multi-year projects that align with the goals of this Challenge may also be considered for partial support.

Eligibility Criteria for Coastal Communities Off-Grid Energy Challenge Fund

Applicants must:

Be registered entities with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
Possess a valid Tax Clearance Certificate (TCC).
Demonstrate relevant technical experience and capability.
Propose inclusive business models, especially those that create economic opportunities for women and vulnerable groups.
Demonstrate potential to attract follow-on investment or co-funding.