Country: São Tomé and Príncipe

This project supported the development of a National Sustainable Energy Investment Plan (NSEIP) for São Tomé and Príncipe, aimed at accelerating the country’s transition to a low-carbon and climate-resilient energy system. The work focused on identifying and structuring bankable investment opportunities across renewable energy and energy efficiency (RE&EE) sectors, while strengthening the national financial and policy framework to mobilise public and private capital. In parallel, the assignment included the preparation of a Green Climate Fund (GCF) Readiness Proposal to enhance institutional capacity for climate mitigation and adaptation across key infrastructure sectors. Through analytical assessments, stakeholder consultations, and the development of investor-oriented outputs, the project contributed to positioning the country as an attractive destination for sustainable energy investments aligned with national priorities and Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).

The scope of the project included:

i) Conducting a baseline assessment to identify, categorise, and quantify RE&EE investment opportunities across sectors such as utility-scale renewables, distributed energy, clean cooking, efficient appliances, and low-carbon transport, with projections for 2030 and 2050.
ii) Assessing the national financial and investment framework to identify key barriers and recommend measures to mobilise public and private finance, including instruments such as green bonds, public-private partnerships, and concessional financing.
iii) Developing the National Sustainable Energy Investment Plan (NSEIP), outlining a market-oriented and investment-ready strategy aligned with national energy and climate priorities.
iv) Preparing investor-focused materials, including pitch leaflets and slide decks for identified opportunities, as well as a dedicated investment package for the Autonomous Region of Príncipe.
v) Facilitating stakeholder consultations with government entities, private sector actors, and financial institutions, and organising validation and dissemination workshops to support adoption and promotion of the NSEIP.
vi) Integrating gender-responsive and inclusive approaches, including gender-sensitive data and the promotion of local entrepreneurship in the sustainable energy sector.
vii) Developing a GCF Readiness Proposal focused on institutional capacity building for climate mitigation and adaptation across infrastructure sectors, including energy, water, transport, ICT, and buildings.
viii) Supporting the development of a GCF-aligned project pipeline in line with evolving Readiness Programme priorities

Duration: 04/2025-03/2026