FOR THE PROVISION OF PHOTOVOLTAIC (PV) RENEWABLE ENERGY SYSTEMS FOR UNHCR OFFICES IN LEBANON

UNHCR is committed to improve its environmental performance, climate compatibility and resource efficiency by reducing its use of fossil fuels, purchasing green energy from reliable suppliers, and undertaking other sustainability initiatives. However, the upfront investment needed to support such a transition to clean energy and sustainable infrastructure can be significant and for UNHCR to provide this, it would compete for limited resources with humanitarian priorities.

UNHCR’s compounds, premises, and offices generate greenhouse gas emissions amounting to an estimated 97,136 tons of CO2 annually. One major source of emissions is linked to the fact that UNHCR runs diesel generators in a lot of its operations. Converting these operations to solar energy could have both a positive carbon impact and a positive financial impact, since solar energy is expected to be cheaper than existing diesel/fossil fuel generation in many geographies.

The operations considered for solarization under this tender generally comprise offices hosting UNHCR’s administrative, support and management services. Although adjacent to or located near the operational sites managed by UNHCR, offices are distinct from the actual sites hosting refugee communities.