Newsletter for Members and Supporters of the Alliance for Rural Electrification
CONTENT
- ARE and the Africa EU Energy Partnership
- KFW/ARE Forum: Sustainable Energy Sources at the local level in Africa
- New publications of the Alliance!
NEWS FROM THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION WORLD
- Danish Initiative to Boost Rural Electrification in Africa
- IRENA and Access to Energy worldwide
- The G8 and Access to Energy
- The Indian PV Plan
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION'S ACTORS, RURAL ELECTRIFICATION'S STORIES
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY EVENTS
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EDITORIAL
Strong global trend for renewables must work for rural electrification too.
The new REN 21 Global Status report portrays tremendous growth and penetration of renewable energies into global markets with global capacity reaching 280,000 megawatts (MW) in 2008.
This growth is not only limited to the industrialized countries. Ever more developing countries adopt capacity targets and supportive policies for renewable energies. National targets set in 2008 and 2009 include: “Kenya (350 MW of wind and biomass power), Indonesia (9.5 GW of geo-thermal by 2025).... Bangladesh (10 percent by 2020), Madagascar (75 percent by 2020)”. Policies of particular note are the feed-in Tariffs being adopted by developing nations to support renewable investment. Kenya, the Philippines and South Africa, for example, adopted the policy for the first time in 2008/2009.
These initiatives are very promising. However, compared to the strong global trends toward grid-connected renewables, rural electrification still lacks momentum. For instance Kenya and South Africa missed the opportunity to couple the new feed-in tariffs with promotion schemes for rural electrification. The Alliance for Rural Electrification has highlighted how such a scheme – a feed in tariff for off-grid - could work. The promotion of renewables and accelerated rural electrification must go hand in hand.
I recognize that access to sustainable energy is again on the international political agenda. Let me just mention the recent declaration of G8 Energy Ministers, the African European Energy Partnership or the Danish Africa Commission. But announcements and initiatives must lead to sustainable and efficient solutions. Sustainable rural electrification is a challenge. It must spur self organization of end consumers and incentivize local entrepreneurs to provide energy services. We must make sure that the lessons from past rural electrification projects are learned and that we embark on sustainable technologies, financing and support schemes.
Some people say that rural electrification and the climate challenge are separate issues. I disagree. It would be totally wrong to underestimate the climate impact of energy generation in developing countries. Sustainability means to anticipate long term trends. Rural electrification must bring electricity to 1,6 billion people in the foreseeable future. Poverty alleviation means to raise the standards of living including the energy consumption of these people significantly. Those who say that the energy choices of those countries have no impact on the world climate assume that they are doomed to stay poor. The population of Sub Saharan Africa grows by 2,5 % each year and with sound policies many of these countries have the potential to grow at a pace similar to China. I believe in the potential of developing countries. And that is why I am convinced that today’s energy choices of developing countries matter.
We all know that the renewable energy sector is not excluded from the worldwide recession. Prices for RE technologies have fallen significantly. Therefore it is no surprise that many companies show a stronger interest in off-grid and market opportunities outside of Europe and the US. These circumstances give us the opportunity to move from lighting programs to power supply for productive use, facilitating the access to small industrial and efficient and sustainable agriculture activities.
Long term growth and stability of the renewable energy sector can only be safeguarded if it taps into the enormous potential of developing countries. The world economy is still in the deepest recession for many decades. GDP in most industrialized countries is significantly contracting this year. However, in the last months the oil prices went from below 40 to around 70 US$/barrel. When we overcome the recession the oil prices will soar back to their record levels we have witnessed prior to the crisis.
For me these two developments clearly underpin: The renewable energy industry is well advised to broaden its perspective and to look south. Governments of poor countries are well advised to make their economies more independent from the high prices for fossil fuels. Consequently, there are many opportunities for Public Private Partnerships. Let’s not lose more time. Let’s work together.
Ernesto Macías
President of the Alliance for Rural Electrification
This contribution can also be found on the Daidalos Forum on REN21’s website: www.ren21.net
News from the Alliance
New members in the Alliance for Rural Electrification:
The Alliance is proud to present six new members:
Steca GmbH:
Steca is a manufacturer of solar electronic device for grid connected as well as for off grid systems (battery powered PV Systems, solar charge controllers, inverters and application devices). They are active in the entire product chain from the assembly of the components to the finished device and the after-sales service. Active in rural electrification, Steca has set itself the target of improving the quality of people’s life. To this end, they develop and manufacture top-quality products which, thanks to their long lifetime, ensure extremely low costs. Willing to enlarge their activities and to increase their visibility on new promising off grid markets they are joining the Alliance with a view to promoting their technology in the worldwide rural electrification world.
Institute for Sustainable Power Inc:
The Institute for Sustainable Power Inc. (ISP), is a non-profit organization, incorporated in 1996, to coordinate, develop, and maintain international standards for the evaluation and qualification of renewable energy (RE), energy efficiency (EE), and distributed generation (DG) training providers. The ultimate goal of the Institute for Sustainable Power Quality (ISPQ) credentialing process is to improve and expand the renewable energy by raising the level of training quality, competency, and availability; by encouraging safety and the training of safe practices in the industry; and by supporting training programs. Organizations accredited by the ISPQ Regional Licensees, and individuals certified, attest that they have the skills and resources to deliver high-quality training covering the skills and competency requirements of specific RE/EE/DG trades. The ISPQ Licensees work with Governments and organisations in the sustainable delivery of projects that include a focus on quality delivery of training. The board of ISP believes that ARE is an ideal organisation to work with in promoting the ISP objective.
University of Twente, Faculty of Engineering Technology, Department of Design, Production and Management
The department of Design Production and Management (DPM) of the University of Twente has a focus on research and design engineering of products. Issues concern design methods, production, operational use, costs and maintenance. Within their portfolio, they focus on innovation of sustainable technologies through the R&D and product development chain. A part of the activities is related to sustainable energy solutions in developing countries.
Based on their experience, they believe that access to sustainable energy in rural areas could exert a positive influence on sustainable development in lesser developed countries and for this reason would like to be involved in this field from a global strategic perspective. Until now, the market for sustainable energy solutions in rural areas has been explored only to a modest level. However in the forthcoming decade new products and new (financial) services might enter this market. And they would be interested in following these developments and in finding ways to support or accelerate these transitions.
One important international company, a unique organisation in the rural electrification world and another university represents this month’s added strengths to the Alliance for Rural Electrification. They characterise different aspects, inputs and ideas, as well as different points of views. Yet they are united in their ambition to foster sustainable and profitable rural electrification, to increase access to energy and to open new markets for renewables worldwide. By gathering these actors and the many pieces involved in the rural electrification process, ARE will keep pushing forward to meet its ambitious objectives.
If you would also like to become a member of the Alliance please contact us.
ARE ACTIVITIES
The Alliance and the Africa EU Energy Partnership
The Africa European Energy Partnership (AEEP) is the new major policy instrument which intends to invigorate the whole relationship between the two continents in the Energy field. Topics such as energy security or energy access, major infrastructures or decentralized renewables will be tackled by this instrument. Through this partnership Africa and Europe are meant to work together to develop a shared vision and to stimulate specific actions that address the energy challenges of the 21st century. The road map of the AEEP is currently being discussed by partners from both side (EU and European Member States and African Union Commission (AUC) and African Member states). The Alliance has been nominated as official private sector representative for this partnership.
The AEEP is driven by a joint experts group (JEG) which is made up of high level officials from Africa and Europe. The 2nd JEG meeting was held from 18-19 June 2009 in Brussels and hosted by the Permanent Representation of Germany to the European Union and, on 19 June, the designated experts from the private sector, civil society and science institutions were invited to discuss the way forward to realise the objectives set out in the partnership.
The contribution of ARE to the AEEP is mainly focusing on two points: The creation of a permanent network aiming at facilitating and increasing the participation of the civil society and the private sector in this major political instrument; and key recommendations in order for the partnership to actually succeed in reaching its ambitious objectives.
ARE has recommended to organize a Forum which will bring together all relevant energy actors and more specifically the private sector, the civil society and the research community and this over the two continents. This forum should also be linked with a communication tool for continued dialogue, networking and exchange such as a webbased platform constituting a community of practice in the field of energy and rural electrification.
To see the full proposal of the Alliance concerning the creation of a forum AEEP, please click here.
Content wise the Alliance has proposed a set of concrete recommendations which will be crucial for the success of the Partnership. The AEEP runs to risk to focus on heavy infrastructure investments and grid extension. Concrete improvements for decentralized energy production with renewables risk to be sidelined. Moreover, it is not safeguarded that its recommendations will be translated into policy actions on the national level.
To see the proposals of the Alliance to increase access to energy and energy security in Africa within a successful energy partnership, please click here.
KfW/ARE Forum: Sustainable energy sources at local level in Africa
17 June 2009, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m
KfW Group Liaison Office to the EU, Brussels
The promotion of renewable energies and energy efficiency has long been a key component of German development policy. KfW is one of the three main financiers of renewable energies in developing countries. In 2008 the German development bank provided EUR 745 million to finance measures to increase energy efficiency and to promote the use of renewable energies in developing countries. Against this background ARE has organized a joint workshop with KfW to see how rural electrification with renewable energy can be accelerated. The workshop attracted more than 60 participants from various EU institutions and the diplomatic corps.
Some of the key questions which have been tackled are: How can projects in the field of sustainable energy look like? What are the preconditions for an effective alliance between development policy and the private sector? Which cooperation models with the private sector have been successful in the past?
Please download the presentations of this meeting here.
New publications of the Alliance!
The Alliance is currently preparing two new brochures which are going to increase the visibility and the capacity of influence of the organisation and its members.
The first one called “Green light for renewable energies in developing countries” will give an overview on rural electrification with renewables. All the different aspects of our daily work and of the potential of renewables in developing countries will be highlighted: markets, technologies, financing schemes, legal frameworks, project schemes etc. along with case studies, cost calculations etc. This new brochure will constitute a strong base for our future and will be a useful tool for the promotion of renewables worldwide. We believe it will also be a powerful educational instrument for a more general audience, a lobbying vector towards public authorities and a communication material for the renewable private sector.
The second brochure will be entirely dedicated to the work of our members. Entitled “Case studies of the Alliance for Rural Electrification” it will describe several successful renewable energy projects in developing countries and therefore exemplify the potential of these technologies in manifold situation throughout the world. Directed towards all the stakeholders interested in rural electrification and access to energy it will very concretely demonstrate to all the skeptical people what our members and renewables are doing every day as well as the market potential the developing countries represent for the renewable energy industry.
More information very soon!
News from the rural electrification world
Danish Initiative to Boost Rural Electrification in Africa
In 2008 the Prime Minister of Denmark has launched a Africa Commission which was supposed to come up with proposals which can help Africa to benefit more from globalisation. The Commission consisted of heads of state and governments, politicians, experts, representatives from international and regional organisations as well as the business community, civil society and the academic world. The majority of the Commissioners were from Africa, which reflected the Commission’s overriding commitment to ensure African ownership of its recommendations and initiatives.
On 6 May 2009 the Commission concluded its work and proposed five international initiatives which focus on the economic development of Africa. One of these initiatives intends to promote access to sustainable energy. It covers policy advice, capacity support and financing for investment projects of SME. The initiative will be implemented in close cooperation with the African Development Bank (AfDB).
Currently a design study is underway which will further work on the details and modalities of the initiative. In fall 2009 the Danish governments intends to forge an implementation agreement between partner organizations and African countries. National programmes and action plans should follow in the first semester of 2010. Activities on the ground should start in June 2010.
The Danish government intends to mobilize 200 Mio. euros for this initiative. The AfDB is focusing very much on large infrastructure projects and has no track record in the field of rural electrification. Against this background the Alliance urges the Danish government and the AfDB to gear the initiative towards the promotion of decentralized solutions with renewable energy.
To have more information please visit: www.africacommission.um.dk
The International Renewable Energy Agency and access to energy worldwide
During the Signing Ceremony at the second session of the Preparatory Commission of IRENA in Sharm El Sheikh the 29th and 30th of June 2009, 22 States signed IRENA´s Founding Treaty the new International Organisation. As of today, 136 Member States are member of the IRENA.
At this meeting the Preparatory Commission took several key decisions on the future of IRENA. The Signatories designated Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates, as interim headquarters. At the same time it was decided that Bonn, Germany, will host IRENA’s centre of technology and innovation and that a liaison office for cooperation with other organisations active in the field of renewables will be established in Vienna, Austria. Finally, the Preparatory Commission designated Ms. Hélène Pelosse as the first Director General of the emerging Agency.
Around two third of IRENA signatories are from the developing/embergin world: ARE calls for an inclusive and powerful International Renewable Energy Agency
In the developing world, people are in desperate need of the answers that renewables can bring in a foreseeable future. The new organisation could and should therefore be one of the tools which will allow the deployment of these technologies beyond their current markets.
IRENA faces the challenge of becoming a powerful intergovernmental organization of the 21st century and must set up working procedures and communication instruments which foster the development of real world solutions for real world problems. IRENA has the potential to become the global driving force of all those who promote renewable energy especially if it succeeds to reach out to the private sector along with the signatory states.
IRENA should not only address environmental but also development concerns. Its work programme must reflect the enormous challenge of bringing electricity to 1,6 billion people. The renewables, mostly in decentralized forms, can be the key to this problem and therefore, rural electrification must become a central question of IRENA`s scope of activities.
For more information please visit: www.irena.org
The G8 and access to energy
Gathered in Rome the 24 and 25th May 2009, the energy ministers from the G8 countries (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Russia, UK and USA) and emerging economies (Brazil, China, Egypt, India, Korea, Saudi Arabia and South Africa) made a strong statement for renewable energies and access to energy.
Concerning Energy Access, the Focus is put on Africa: The need is clearly stated (“modern electricity services are steadily available for only one fourth of the world population”) as is the importance of energy for development (“access to modern and commercial energy services is an important element of economic development and improvement of human and social living standards”) and the necessity of action (“We commit to take resolute action without delay, together with countries’ governments, international financial institutions, local communities and the private sector”).
Even though this declaration remains at the level of the political statement, it clearly underlines some elements which are indeed central for increasing energy access worldwide and for the deployment of renewable energy technologies. On this the Alliance can only welcome the commitments made by the 16 countries.
For instance, “the development of transparent national policies able to effectively use public resources, as well as to attract and stimulate private investments in rural and peri-urban electrification” is very welcomed. ARE has been continuously pushing for a greater involvement of the private sector whereas the question of ownership cannot be resolved without involving the local level, therefore “The active involvement of local communities in rural programmes, through the deployment of suitable technologies and the development of appropriate skills and capabilities in cooperation with the public and the private sector” is for us also central in this statement.
The Alliance also welcomes the intention of the ministers to “support development, demonstration and deployment of these low emission technologies, enabling effective sharing of knowledge on key technologies”. Research and development in the off grid sector is still largely missing even though it is one of the sector which would need it the most. In addition, the question of technology transfers which directly involved the industry is crucial and indeed needs to be discussed at a global level.
Finally, this declaration puts in perspective the triple aspects of renewables in developing countries: Access, energy security and climate change: “to ensure that work to improve energy access is helping to put developing countries on the path to a low greenhouse gases emission development” or “the interlinked issues of energy investments, energy access and availability, and the climate change challenge is key for the future”.
The Alliance welcomes this declaration. However, it will only be words if it is not seriously follow by actions especially of the G8. Renewables are at the corner of the biggest challenges of our time and should be massively deployed especially in rural areas of developing countries. Despite their need many developing countries especially in Africa seem to pay little attention to these technologies which have a great potential in this region of the world.
To read the complete declaration from the G8 please visit: www.g8energy2009.it
The Indian PV plan
As part of the National Action Plan on Climate Change, the Indian government has announced this month its plans to install 20GW of solar generation capacity by 2020, 100GW by 2030 and 200GW by 2050.
This plan will be launched in three phases:
During phase 1 from 2009-2012, India will deploy 100MW of solar PV on public sector buildings, promote utility-scale PV projects and set up local solar manufacturing parks. The plan envisions 1GW installed solar generation capacity by 2012, up from almost nothing in 2008. During phase 2 from 2013-2017, the government plans an installed capacity of 6-7GW by commercial operations of various pilot programs and during phase 3, government expects rapid scale-up of solar programs with minimal subsidies and to reach 20GW capacity in 2020 with 3GW rooftop PV installed on 1 million rooftops.
Three types of incentives are expected: Feed-in-tariffs for 20 years set annually and without official cap, 10 year tax holiday and customs and excise duty exemptions on capital equipment and other critical materials. Additionally, the government plans to introduce National Solar RPS - whereby states would be required to generate 1-3% of electricity from solar resources by 2017. In order to facilitate the creation of solar facilities, additional policies are expected to be introduced.
The Indian PV Sector
The electricity consumption per capita in India is expected to increase from 660 kWh currently to over 2,000 kWh by 2032. India's per capita consumption is about 7% of the OECD countries and 20-25% of the world average. Furthermore, India's grid connected capacity is estimated to grow from 146GW in 2008 to over 460GW by 2030. Although wind currently dominates renewable energy generation in India, solar PV has the potential to outpace wind generation given attractive solar conditions. Several studies show that approximately 0.5% of India's land area would be sufficient to meet all electricity needs using solar PV technology by 2030.
Approximately 70% of India's population lives in rural areas and more than 450 million of the Indian population have no access to grid electricity. Approximately 80,000 villages are not even connected to the grid. The Indian government spends approximately $2-4 billion annually to subsidize the price of kerosene, which is the primary fuel used for electrification of rural India. Therefore, PV has also a major card to play in this market. In addition, solar PV is also ideally suited for the 21 million Indian irrigation pump market. Electricity consumption by the irrigation pump sector is estimated to account for between 10-15% of India's total consumption.
Finally, there is significant potential for solar PV to replace estimated 20-25GW of captive power generation, which is currently supported mostly with diesel power generators running at costs comparable to solar PV costs today.
Source: Barclays Capital
Rural Electrification's Actors, Rural electrification's Stories
Interview with Berthold Breid, CEO of the Renewables Academy
- Berthold Breid
Please could you describe the Renewables Academy (RENAC) and its activities?
The Renewables Academy (RENAC) is offering training and education on renewable energies, energy efficiency and climate protection since 2008. In our courses and seminars we combine expertise in renewable technologies and international know-how transfer with up-to-date information on the latest technological, legislative, economical and political developments across many national boundaries.
In 2008/2009 RENAC initiated and undertook the TREE project (Transfer Renewable Energy & Efficiency), a scholarship program to promote capacity building in 14 developing and emerging countries within the German Climate Protection Initiative. During this, over 300 engineers and decision makers came to our training center in Berlin to learn about renewable energies.
What kind of trainings does RENAC offer?
As a national and international training specialist we provide customer designed and targeted, group-specific courses on photovoltaics, solar thermal systems, solar cooling systems, wind energy, energy efficiency in the building environment and for industry and commerce. The RENAC seminars include both technical and non-technical content such as financing, management and policy frameworks. The courses are held in English or German and take place both in Germany and abroad. Target groups are engineers and technicians, companies, public administrators and authorities, financial institutions and insurers, management and sales staff, and project developers.
Who conducts the RENAC seminars?
Lecturers derive from RENAC itself or are engaged specialists with long experience in EE and RE. Most of them have worked for many years abroad and have gained international teaching experience. Therefore they are well placed to give practical advice and support on sustainable solutions in industrial and developing countries worldwide.
How do you assess the role of renewable energy technologies in rural electrification?
Off-grid solutions for supplying power usually form the cheapest option for the electrification of rural areas in terms of life-time calculations. In addition to improving the quality of life and their benefit to the economy, renewable energy sources have the advantage that local resources are used as an energy source and also that no additional CO2 emissions occur.
How can the electrification of rural areas using renewable energy sources be encouraged through training and education?
Access to information and knowledge is crucial in the preparation, implementation and maintenance of installations. Firstly the government agencies, authorities and administrative departments need to know about the various RE technologies, their conditions of operation and their suitability for the respective region. Companies and investors are dependent on expertise in financing mechanisms, market development, technology sourcing, and for economic calculations. Additionally on the technicians' and engineers' side the necessary technical knowledge to implement the systems is required. For the long-term, it is necessary to ensure that the facilities are maintained and necessary service measures are regularly undertaken. It is also important that end-users are well informed and that the technology achieves an adequate degree of acceptance.
Do you think the RENAC know-how transfer can support rural electrification?
RENAC, in all its educational programs, covers the necessary steps for the implementation of renewable energy technologies. The courses support the evaluation of the potential for RE and EE - with development of associated strategies for partner countries - and the dissemination of practical planning and installation knowledge. Our clients are assisted in the recognition of their own country's potential. I believe that the international know-transfer we are undertaking will support initiatives for rural electrification, the securing of energy supplies and independence from fossil fuels.
For more information please visit: www.renac.de
Using the Sun to Provide Light at Night
This feature highlights how communities in Philippines are using solar energy to fulfill electricity needs while creating economic opportunities with the help of funding from Asian Development Bank (ADB).
For 2 hours every night, 12-year-old Ian Grace reads and does her homework under a 10-watt lightbulb, while her mother cooks and prepares her lessons for preschool and day care the next day. They have no television or radio, much less a computer. But the faint light from the lamp is enough to keep Ian Grace among the top 10 students in her class.
The light comes from a solar-powered battery system financed by ADB through the Danish Cooperation Fund for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in Rural Areas. The Philippines' Department of Energy is implementing the project, which is rehabilitating old renewable energy systems in remote areas.
In Barangay Bunog, the Department of Energy used the funds to rehabilitate a non-operating solar battery system installed years earlier. The nearest electric pole is 30 kilometers away, and it will cost the Palawan Electric Cooperative P15 million (about $375,000) to electrify this off-grid barangay. Since demand for power is low in Barangay Bunog, connecting it to the grid would not be economically viable, hence the need for an alternative solution.
The solar-powered white light is brighter than the yellowish light from kerosene lamps, which can easily consume about a liter of fuel each week, eating up a big chunk of a poor farming family's meager income. With solar power, they save up to P600 (about $15) annually.
"We benefit a lot from solar power. It helps augment our income because we can sell even at night," said store owner Rosalia Dulig. Now, she is able to serve customers until 8 pm. "We used kerosene before. It blackened our walls and the smoke was bad for our children's health," added Apolonia Cortaje. "Now, we get to save because solar power is cheaper."
Apolonia is a BEE-or "babaeng (female) energy entrepreneur"-who manages the solar battery-charging station in her sitio, of which Barangay Bunog has six. Each station caters to 10-15 households. About 70 households, each with its own solar battery, are benefiting from the project. These "energy managers," who are usually full-time housewives, accept batteries for charging the whole day. They can charge one battery a day or an average of six batteries a week, earning for them an extra income of P50 (about $1.25) a week. They can even earn more by charging mobile phones on the side.
Reliable, Cost-Effective
The Philippines promotes NRE systems-solar, wind, and small-scale hydroelectric power-for rural electrification. While most projects provide reliable and cost-effective electricity, about 20-25% fail due to substandard equipment, inadequate after-sales services, and poor monitoring and maintenance. After installation, residents were not trained to take care of them or perform minor repairs.
"When one component breaks down, the end-users sometimes feel like they have lost confidence in the system. And it puts the renewable energy system in a bad light," says Reynaldo Reynaldo, a new and renewable energy (NRE) expert. "We found out that the problems were kind of trivial. For example, some of the broken parts cost only P10 ($0.25) but render the whole system non-operational
The Government approached ADB for a technical assistance to rehabilitate the failed projects, rectify them, and ensure the success of new ones. Thus, the $450,000 technical assistance project was conceived in 2003. The project was executed by India's The Energy and Resource Institute, in association with IDP Consultants, Inc. of the Philippines. This time, communities were involved and trained on operating and maintaining the energy systems.
With the system now running smoothly for almost 2 years, Engineer Reynaldo considers the project successful and sustainable. Users are happy to pay the fees, and others are requesting their own solar battery-charging stations.
Source: Asian Development Bank / http://www.egovmonitor.com/node/25659
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies Events: Incoming appointments
21st – 25th September 2009: “24th EU PVSEC”, Hambourg, Germany. Organizers: WIP
From 21st to 25th September 2009, the CCH - Congress Centre and International Fair - will host the 24th European Photovoltaic Solar Energy Conference, the most important international Conference in the field of Photovoltaics.
The Conference will provide an excellent platform for dialogue and information exchange across the World. The ‘who is who’ of the PV solar branch will meet at Hamburg to discuss the latest developments in science and industry.
At the same time, the exhibition will bring together international manufacturers of PV modules and components, manufacturers of production equipment, supply industry, PV system companies and distributors, PV installation companies, PV project development companies, research and testing institutes and engineering consultancies.
Thanks to the kind support of the European Photovoltaic Industry Association (EPIA), we will be participating to this event for the 2nd time in a row. The Alliance will be present at the EPIA stand. Moreover, on September 23rd the Alliance will organize a workshop on “Market opportunities for PV in developing countries”.
We hope the 24th PV SEC will be the occasion to reinforce the position of the off-grid sector within this major event.
For more information: www.photovoltaic-conference.com or contact pv.conference(at)wip-munich.de or pv.exhibition(at)wip-munich.de
13th – 15th October 2009: “IREC-Africa: Renewable Energy Growth in Africa: Policies and Legislatives Requirement” Abuja, Nigeria.
The next Iinternational Renewable Energy Conference (IREC Africa) will be held in Nigeria in October 2009. The forum and the conference will be focusing on four different sub themes:
- RE Policies and Legislatives Frameworks
- Finance and Investment
- Renewable energies for Rural and Urban Development
- Renewable energies stakeholder’s cooperation
An exhibition will also take place.
For more information, please contact: olowookere(at)basconsultingltd.com or info(at)irec-nigeria.com