- Evaluation Plan:
- 2020-2024, Iraq
- Evaluation Type:
- Final Project
- Planned End Date:
- 02/2020
- Completion Date:
- 06/2020
- Status:
- Completed
- Management Response:
- Yes
- Evaluation Budget(US $):
- 24,639
Terminal Evaluation of Catalyzing the Use of Solar Photovoltaic Energy Project
| Document | Type | Language | Size | Status | Downloads |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 TOR of the Individual Consultancy contract..pdf |
tor | English | 362.38 KB | Posted | 1071 |
 Final _ TE Evaluation report Solar Energy UNDP Iraq 062020 clean final.docx |
report | English | 1018.57 KB | Posted | 1250 |
| Title | Terminal Evaluation of Catalyzing the Use of Solar Photovoltaic Energy Project | ||||||||||||||
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| Atlas Project Number: | 00079907 | ||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Plan: | 2020-2024, Iraq | ||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Type: | Final Project | ||||||||||||||
| Status: | Completed | ||||||||||||||
| Completion Date: | 06/2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Planned End Date: | 02/2020 | ||||||||||||||
| Management Response: | Yes | ||||||||||||||
| Focus Area: |
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| Corporate Outcome and Output (UNDP Strategic Plan 2018-2021) |
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| SDG Goal |
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| SDG Target |
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| Evaluation Budget(US $): | 24,639 | ||||||||||||||
| Source of Funding: | Project budjet | ||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Expenditure(US $): | 24,639 | ||||||||||||||
| Joint Programme: | No | ||||||||||||||
| Joint Evaluation: | No | ||||||||||||||
| Evaluation Team members: |
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| GEF Evaluation: | Yes
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| Key Stakeholders: | Ministery of Environment | ||||||||||||||
| Countries: | IRAQ |
| Lessons | |
|---|---|
| Findings |
| Recommendations | |
|---|---|
| 1 |
[1] Derisking Renewable Energy Investment (UNDP, 2013) |
| 2 | Recommendation or Issue 2: UNDP to pursue engagement with the MoE for full completion of round 2 of the utility-scale PV tendering process to continue providing advice and best practice. |
| 3 | Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 3: To maintain the uptake momentum of solar PV installations, it is recommended that Government of Iraq maintains all present fiscal incentives at least for the next 10 years to enable achieving long term targets. |
| 4 | Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 4: The performance data from solar PV installations at both distributional and utility-scale levels would be of great value for analysing and planning future market development. It is recommended that data on actual PV generation and electricity use be cross-validated with the solar maps to be generated, to guide plans for future solar PV programmes. |
| 5 | Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 5: Establish a project library and disseminate final knowledge products to all stakeholders. The project has produced enamours technical reports that are properly documented by PMU, but need to be properly disseminated to all stakeholders as a final set of all project outputs. This could be easily done through a CD or a memory stick that include all information in one final source of truth and then distributed to all stakeholders. One of the options which could be explored is creation of a dedicated web-site either hosted by MoST or the University of Baghdad (this will ensure sustainability of this knowledge dissemination platform beyond the implementation of GEF project). |
| 6 | Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 6: The project identified significant networking opportunities in the MENA region, notably the RCREEE partnership has been effective from the Government of Iraq perspective, it is therefore recommended that Government of Iraq maintain strategic regional partnerships with available sources of best practices and UNDP continue to facilitate south-south cooperation in the RE sector. |
| 7 | Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 7: Having the PV sector taken off in Iraq, it is time to shift thinking towards create an enabled environment for private sector PV investment in Iraq, therefore, it is recommended that UNDP shares with the Government of Iraq (MoE in particular) information about UNDP-invented “Derisking Renewable Energy Investment (DREI) methodology. DREI methodology can help Iraq analyse existing derisking instruments, identify what needs to be improved or added, explore the most effective options and implement the most effective package of public policy actions |
| 8 | Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 8: Acknowledging that GEF guidelines suggest conducting terminal evaluations within six months before or after completion of a full-sized project. It is recommended that TE evaluation takes place during the period of 6 months prior end date of the project, where a bigger room for responsive corrective actions are more likely to be implemented. |
Management Response Documents
1. Recommendation:
- Recommendation #1: Design SMARTer indicators for future projects. Although indicators, targets and deadlines were defined in the logframe, several lacked a clear means for tracking progress and impact outside the project with definitive sources of validation in the market, such as external indicators and targets with which to track the real market uptake of PV technologies as discussed in section 3.1.1 of this report. SMARTer indicators need to be designed to capture the full Theory of Change principles so that all indicators and targets are clearly defined at the short term output, medium term outcome and long term impact levels and suitable and realistic means of verification are chosen and detailed. This would help the project to guide its strategic directions, and collect meaningful data that helps to achieve insightful monitoring and evaluation of project activities.
[1] Derisking Renewable Energy Investment (UNDP, 2013)
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
Agreed; the recommendation is well noted, and the proposed mechanism of setting indicators will be taken into account when developing a future project to be funded by the GEF.
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No action is needed
[Added: 2020/07/07] |
Project team | 2020/06 | Completed |
2. Recommendation:
Recommendation or Issue 2:
UNDP to pursue engagement with the MoE for full completion of round 2 of the utility-scale PV tendering process to continue providing advice and best practice.
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
Agreed; guidelines, success stories and templates for PPAs of round 2 of the utility-scale PV tendering process, as a product of the project, were shared with the national stakeholders including PMAC and MoE;
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No action is needed
[Added: 2020/07/07] |
Project team | 2020/06 | Completed | No action is needed, the recommendation has already addressed and the project is closed now History |
3. Recommendation:
Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 3:
To maintain the uptake momentum of solar PV installations, it is recommended that Government of Iraq maintains all present fiscal incentives at least for the next 10 years to enable achieving long term targets.
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
(agreed)
The 1st ever Renewable Energy draft law for Iraq was within the products of the project. It was approved by the Cabinet and the State SHURA council. Within the governmental programme of Iraq, 1000 MW of Renewable Energy will be introduced during the next few years (up to 2022). UNDP to maintain/support sensitization of the Iraqi decision makers on the need of Iraq to enhance the renewable energy in Iraqi power Mix.
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.1 UNDP will continue to support the final legislation of RE draft law through the Council of Representatives (CoR) through discussion with the Energy Committee in the CoR.
[Added: 2020/07/07] [Last Updated: 2021/07/25] |
UNDP-Iraq CO | 2021/07 | Completed | UNDP followed up with the related stakeholders the process of the Renewable Energy law which is now in the Council of Representatives (CoR) for legislation. No further can be taken by UNDP. History |
4. Recommendation:
Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 4: The performance data from solar PV installations at both distributional and utility-scale levels would be of great value for analysing and planning future market development. It is recommended that data on actual PV generation and electricity use be cross-validated with the solar maps to be generated, to guide plans for future solar PV programmes.
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
(Partially-agreed)
Although the current utility-scale production of PV is at the stage of attracting the investors. The actual PV generation is at the small-scale (maximum 1 Mega/1 Site). However, UNDP Iraq-CO will continue support through coordination among National partners (mainly MoE and Baghdad Center for Renewable Energy and Sustainability) for the better use and maintaining/ updating solar maps.
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Solar RE project created a page within the (TAQA WAY) website. Public-Private Sectors Partnership (PPP) modality will maintain the project’s page which includes all documents produced by the project including solar Atlas/Maps.
[Added: 2020/07/07] [Last Updated: 2021/07/25] |
UNDP Iraq-CO in coordination National Partners. | 2021/07 | Completed | RCREEE handed over the website to UNDP who in turn handed over to the Ministry of Electricity. UNDP Iraq-CO suggested that a private sector entity Baghdad Renewable Energy and Sustainability Center (BRESC) may be engaged in the operation of the webpage. BRESC showed interest in a Public-Private Sectors Partnership (PPP) regarding updating the webpage with information on private sector solar activities in Iraq. History |
5. Recommendation:
Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 5: Establish a project library and disseminate final knowledge products to all stakeholders. The project has produced enamours technical reports that are properly documented by PMU, but need to be properly disseminated to all stakeholders as a final set of all project outputs. This could be easily done through a CD or a memory stick that include all information in one final source of truth and then distributed to all stakeholders. One of the options which could be explored is creation of a dedicated web-site either hosted by MoST or the University of Baghdad (this will ensure sustainability of this knowledge dissemination platform beyond the implementation of GEF project).
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
(Agreed)
The project team distributed the soft copies of the products developed by the project among the five original stakeholders and other partners included at later stages, this includes PMAC, Academic institutions and more private companies. However, UNDP Iraq CO will expand this practice for wider circulation of products and maintains its sustainability as well as UNDP website.
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All related knowledge and lessons learned would be specifically re-distributed to all related Ministries by different means (memory stick or CD) and updated on the website.
[Added: 2020/07/07] |
UNDP Iraq-CO | 2020/06 | Completed |
6. Recommendation:
Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 6: The project identified significant networking opportunities in the MENA region, notably the RCREEE partnership has been effective from the Government of Iraq perspective, it is therefore recommended that Government of Iraq maintain strategic regional partnerships with available sources of best practices and UNDP continue to facilitate south-south cooperation in the RE sector.
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
(Agreed)
The recommendation is well noted, and the proposed recommendation will be maintained in GEF’s future project. UNDP Iraq CO/EECC already adopted an approach to maintain networking and build the bridges of strategic partnerships for the Iraqi Government within the region and South-South Cooperation.
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The NDC for Iraq is under update process which will include the cooperation with countries in the region.
[Added: 2020/07/07] [Last Updated: 2021/03/25] |
UNDP Iraq-CO in cooperation with MoE and allied Ministries. | 2021/03 | Completed | Date and status updated. UNDP has been supporting MoHEn through the Support Iraq’s Nationally Determined Contribution in updating the NDC. The NDC has now passed the National Climate Change Committee and on deputy minister level. History |
7. Recommendation:
Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 7: Having the PV sector taken off in Iraq, it is time to shift thinking towards create an enabled environment for private sector PV investment in Iraq, therefore, it is recommended that UNDP shares with the Government of Iraq (MoE in particular) information about UNDP-invented “Derisking Renewable Energy Investment (DREI) methodology. DREI methodology can help Iraq analyse existing derisking instruments, identify what needs to be improved or added, explore the most effective options and implement the most effective package of public policy actions
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
(Agreed)
UNDP Iraq CO will continue its partnership with Iraqi counterparts based on improving the related institutions’ capacities on the process of planning and enabling DREI methodology in Iraq.
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UNDP to share with the Government of Iraq (MoE in particular) information about UNDP-invented “Derisking Renewable Energy Investment (DREI) methodology”.
[Added: 2020/07/07] [Last Updated: 2021/03/25] |
UNDP-Iraq CO | 2021/05 | Completed | Document shared with Ministry of Electricity and Ministry of Health and Environment History |
8. Recommendation:
Evaluation Recommendation or Issue 8: Acknowledging that GEF guidelines suggest conducting terminal evaluations within six months before or after completion of a full-sized project. It is recommended that TE evaluation takes place during the period of 6 months prior end date of the project, where a bigger room for responsive corrective actions are more likely to be implemented.
Management Response: [Added: 2020/07/07]
(Partially-agreed)
It is crucial to know that the project delay was due to the fact that an independent evaluator was identified and selected, then turned to be black-listed.
Also in compliance with GEF regulations the TE has to be done within 6 months before the project’s end date or 6 months after the end date.
For future projects, UNDP Iraq CO will maintain more periodic Project Quality Assurance (Programmatic and Financial) to overwatch the project stages including design, implementation and closure according to GEF guidelines and timelines
Key Actions:
| Key Action | Responsible | DueDate | Status | Comments | Documents |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 8.1. For future GEF projects, at the design stage while preparing the Prodoc, the last 6 months of the project life are to be clearly set for closure including the TE.
[Added: 2020/07/07] |
UNDP Iraq-CO | 2020/06 | Completed | ||
| 8.2. Maintain periodic project level quality assurance on project progress including Mid-term evaluation, so to make sure all is on track and deadlines set are met causing no delays affecting the last 6 months (project life-time) that are assigned for closure.
[Added: 2020/07/07] [Last Updated: 2021/03/25] |
UNDP Iraq-CO | 2021/06 | Completed | This has been Included in the GEF project and it was set as criteria for future projects History |