Newsletter for Members and Supporters of the Alliance for Rural Electrification
CONTENT
- New members
- News from ARE Working Groups
- Follow the Alliance for Rural Electrifcation on Facebook and Twitter!
- ARE at the OECD Annual Conference on Rural Development
- ARE at Hydro 2009
- Conference Session at Solar Power International 2009 on “Solar Opportunities in the Developing World”
- Launching events of the Second European Energy Facility
- 3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference
- Training on renewable energies for the Centre for Enterprise Development (CDE)
- EU PV Technology Platform Working Group 4: Developing Countries
- ARE at the world environmental event, COP 15
NEWS FROM THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION WORLD
- Official launch of the Second EU Energy Facility’s Call for Proposals
- Sustainable Energy Europe Awards 2010!
- "Solar for All" initiative launches contest on innovative photovoltaic off-grid power supply systems
- King Baudouin Foundation: Call for nominations for the 2010-2011 King Baudouin International Development Prize
- Miscellaneous from the rural electrification world
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY EVENTS
EDITORIAL
THE CHALLENGE OF RENEWABLE ENERGIES IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
Some weeks ago we attended the 3rd Renewable Energy Policy Conference in Brussels, where a large number of stakeholders from the renewable energy community shared their visions about the situation and perspectives for renewables all around the world.
Industry and government representatives had interesting discussions about the huge progress of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in developed economies especially thanks to the implementation of feed in tariffs mechanisms. In rich countries, RES represent opportunities to meet our international commitments regarding greenhouse gas emissions reduction and can be a solution to improve the security of energy supply. Furthermore, they constitute a common option for economic recovery and job creation. In this sense, COP 15 was often mentioned as a crucial event to establish the basis for a long term global framework which could trigger global deployment of these technologies.
What was not discussed in depth is the global energy problem. How it affects developing countries and which measures must be taken urgently to answer the needs of communities around the world deprived from access to modern energy services. Under development is often associated to lack of energy access and whereas renewables are often seen as a luxury tool for rich countries they could actually be a concrete answer to this major problem.
Renewable energy technologies are increasingly becoming cost competitive compared to conventional energies. This is excellent news for developing countries, where the need is huge and where climate change is already having terrible consequences. Recently the Alliance for Rural Electrification, along with the European Photovoltaic Industry Association and the Spanish Photovoltaic Association, presented a study that reflected how PV is today getting cheaper on a life cycle analysis than some conventional energy sources in many countries. Cost reductions coupled with solar radiations which are much higher than in Southern European markets are making this technology ever more competitive. This trend could be further accelerated with the right framework conditions in place. Nowadays with PV, together with small wind, mini-hydro and biomass, we can provide modern energy services to these regions in the most competitive way.
In the developed world we are embarking on a new energy model based on decentralized, clean, independent and viable sources which could already be implemented in developing countries. The objective in these regions of the world should be to leapfrog their energy model towards the most sustainable and competitive sources without going through the destructive path followed by developed economies. Manifold advantages would be generated at the local level if such progress was made: Access to health, education, limitation of rural migrations, economic development, gender improvements etc.
We don’t need expensive grids and big power plants. We need smart grids, cost competitive technologies and clean energy sources. Now the challenge is to increase awareness on the potential and the advantages linked with renewables and to fight the old prejudices. Along with a sound and well organized technology transfer, education and capacity building for policy makers in developing countries will be the key towards sustainable and clean development.
Let’s work on it!
Ernesto Macías
President of the Alliance for Rural Electrification
News from the Alliance
New members in the Alliance for Rural Electrification:
The Alliance is proud to present two new members:
Rolls batteries, United Kingdom. Rolls batteries is one of North America’s leading lead-acid battery manufacturers. Their factory is based in Nova Scotia, Canada and produces a wide range of high quality products for the off-grid renewable energy market. Sales, marketing and distribution is managed by rolls battery Europe from the UK facility together with their Europeans partners. By joining ARE they are looking forward to strengthen their relationships with the rural electrification community since batteries and battery technology are key in this area.
Renewable Energy Ventures (K) Ltd., Kenya. is a renewable energy and energy efficiency project development and advisory firm. They focus on advising governments, private companies and development organizations and implement projects either for captive power generation or for feeding into the grids. They work with rural communities, off-grid applications and institutions to develop hybrid power generation solutions that provide reliable power at the lowest cost. By joining ARE, Renewable Energy Ventures wants to contribute to provide off grid and rural power solutions using renewable energy and hybrid energy systems throughout the world. They believe that by sharing experience all companies in the sector will gain.
If you also would like to join our network please contact us.
News from ARE Working Groups
Working Group on Technological Solutions: International Standards
On 21 October 2009 the working group on Technological Solutions met in Frankfurt chaired by Michael Wollny, SMA. After accomplishing a publication on Hybrid systems the working group has decided to start focusing on Technology Standards and Quality Recommendations for Energy Home Systems and Mini-grids.
Many different issues have been raised during this meeting such as the new challenges for mini-grid installations or communications between system components. The participating companies covered PV, SHS, wind turbines, batteries, inverters and small hydro. Detailed technical presentations were followed by a lively debate about the way forward.
The working group reviewed objective criteria for the quality of products and whether international standards need to be updated or complemented. The working group decided on a detailed to do list encompassing quality recommendations for SHS, battery management, PV modules and innovative concept for enhanced communication between system components.
If you would like to know more about the working group on technological solutions, please contact us at g.glania(at)ruralelec.org.
Kick Off meeting of ARE Working Group on Legal and Policy frameworks for Rural Electrification
On the 25 November 2009, ARE started a new experts working group on Legal and Policy Framework, chaired by Anjali Shanker, IED.
The rural electrification process based on renewable energies is strongly dependant on the business model and the legal framework used to implement the programmes. The concession model, the “free for all” approach, output based aid, subsidies on the investment costs, connection based subsidies, Power Purchase Agreements, Public Private Partnerships etc. the approaches used in developing countries are manifold with very different results. Each model has its partisans and its opponents.
The goal of this meeting was to welcome the members of this WG, to discuss its objectives and its work programme. We expect its work to be of central importance for shaping the core messages of the Alliance. The meeting analysed both the public and the private side of the project cycle with the participation of the EUEI PDF and of KfW as well as of several members of the Alliance.
The proposals of the secretariat concerning the follow up of this meeting will be circulated soon among the members of the WG and of ARE.
If you want more information about the working group, please contact dev.com(at)ruralelec.com.
Follow the Alliance for Rural Electrifcation on Facebook and Twitter!
The Alliance for Rural Electrification has created its own Facebook page to complement our corporate website. You will be able to easily follow up the latest activities and news from us and from the Rural Electrification World, and more important, make your contribution by posting your comments, suggestions and questions. It is easy, just click here and let’s interact!
If you are interested in micro-blogging you can follow ARE Secretary General Guido Glania on Twitter. Search for https://twitter.com/guidoglania. Your retweets are highly welcome!
ARE ACTIVITIES
ARE at the OECD Annual Conference on Rural Development
The Alliance for Rural Electrification was present in Quebec, Canada, at the “OECD Annual Rural Development Conference.” (13 - 15 October).
This event was organised by the OECD Directorate of Public Governance and Territorial Development to allow policy makers from OECD countries to examine current rural policy issues and to engage in a wider dialogue with the private sector, non-governmental organisations, civil society and academics. ARE’s Policy and Communication Officer, Simon Rolland, participated as a panellist at the Session V of the main conference on “New sources of energy production and transmission”.
The objective of this session was to analyze how to improve natural resources productivity and to achieve sustainable development in rural areas. The speakers provided an overview of opportunities and constraints faced by renewable energy at the technical and socio economic levels and presented hands on experiences. ARE took the opportunity to convey its key messages to high level policy makers from different OECD countries and to discuss the different challenges political authorities are facing to develop renewables on a sustainable basis.
Download the programme of the conference here.
Visit the Official website here.
ARE at Hydro 2009
The Secretary General of the Alliance, Guido Glania, moderated a session on small hydropower implementation in HYDRO 2009, conference organised by AquaMedia International in Lyon, France from the 26 to the 29 of October.
This Conference and Exhibition has progressively increased in size and scope, and brings together delegations from more than 70 countries, including high level representatives from developing countries. The session reflected a great interest in small hydro power projects for rural electrification but also highlighted manifold obstacles for successful project implementation.
For more information about HYDRO 2009 and this session please click here.
Conference Session at Solar Power International 2009 on “Solar Opportunities in the Developing World”
The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) was present at Solar Power International 2009, America’s largest solar event.
Our workshop focused on business opportunities in developing countries. The session was held on Tuesday 27 October. In this meeting our experts gave an insight of their experience acquired in these regions; presented the latest information concerning the enormous potential that emerging and developing countries represent for both off-grid and grid connected PV technologies; and introduced some recommendations on how to enlarge these markets.
The workshop enjoyed high attendance and media coverage (see below), especially on the internet. As it was the only session focusing in developing countries, the questions & answers round was active and many participants showed a strong interest in further exploring the opportunities in developing countries.
Panelists were: Simon Rolland Policy and Communications Officer of ARE, Lars Koerner project engineering off-grid from SolarWorld AG, and Michael Eckhart President of ACORE.
For more information visit www.solarpowerinternational.com or contact us.
ARE appears in the New York Times
Several digital media echoed our session on solar opportunities in developing countries at Solar Power International 2009, in Anaheim. We proudly present this article of the New York Times by Todd Woody. To see the New York Times article please click here.
Another article can be read here.
Launching events of the Second European Energy Facility
The 2nd EU Energy Facility is one of the most relevant EU instruments for the promotion of renewable Energy in Africa and the European Commission organized two official launching events at which ARE was invited to represent the voice of the private sector.
Our Secretary General Guido Glania took part at the panel discussion in the framework of the EU Development Days in Stockholm (24 October 2009). And our President Ernesto Macias was a speaker at the launching event in Brussels (4 November 2009).
Together these events attracted more than 200 participants. These conferences underpin that the Alliance has established itself as the most vocal Brussels based business organisation for energy issues in developing countries. (More about the energy facility here)
- Presentation of the new Energy Facility at the EU Development Days Stockholm, 24 October 2009
- Launch of the new Energy Facility in Brussels, 4 November 2009
3rd European Renewable Energy Policy Conference, Brussels
The European Renewable Energy Policy Conferences are the most eminent regular events for EU policymakers, industry representatives and various groups of other stakeholders to talk about the most relevant political questions for the future of renewable energy in Europe.
ARE President Ernesto Macias was a panellist at a session about the global perspectives for renewables. This session brought together representatives from industry association from the US, India, China and Europe. Ernesto Macias stressed that until recently many developing countries have either ignored or dismissed their excellent natural conditions for renewable energy. Only now they were beginning to think about ways how to tap into this potential. He underlined, that renewables were becoming ever more competitive and were an an important technology for improving energy security and hedging against erratic price development of fossile fuels. He expressed the hope that the Copenhagen climate change conference will improve the framework conditions for boosting renewables in Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Training on renewable energies for the Centre for Enterprise Development (CDE)
On 13th November ARE organized a workshop for the senior staff of the Centre for the Development of Enterprise (CDE) in order to present the state-of-art of renewable energy technologies for rural areas.
The workshop covered technologies, financing , legal frameworks and business opportunities for ACP countries (African, Caribbean, Pacific). This meeting was the result of previous contacts between the two organizations, and it is expected to be the first milestone towards a closer collaboration in the future. More than 30 people attended this lively meeting.
We would like to thank our two presenters, Mr. Klimbie from Fortis Wind and Junte Wasmann from JanSun who helped us to ensure high level debates and interactions between the CDE and the Alliance.
The Centre for the Development of Enterprise is an ACP/EU joint institution created in the framework of the Cotonou Agreement. CDE’s financial resources mainly come from the European Development Fund (EDF). Its objective is to ensure the development of professional ACP enterprises operating in the private sector.
To see the interview of Simon Rolland, ARE’s Policy and Development Officer, by the CDE please click here
For more information about CDE: www.cde.int
For more information about Fortis Wind: www.fortiswindenergy.com
For more information about JanSun: www.jansun.eu
EU PV Technology Platform Working Group 4: Developing Countries
On Tuesday 24 November, the Alliance, acting as secretariat on behalf of EPIA, organised the 8th meeting of the Working Group 4: Developing Countries, of the EU PV Technology Platform, at the Renewable Energy House, Brussels.
This meeting was especially significant as it was necessary to redefine the goals and scope of the working group as well as to welcome numerous new members. At the previous meetings, thanks to the effort of its participants and especially of the Joint Research Center of the European Commission, the working group published a report dedicated to an innovative support scheme “A new scheme for the promotion of Renewable Energies in Developing Countries, The Renewable Energy Regulated Purchase Tariff” which can be download here.
The main task of this meeting was to identify the future priorities of the working group. Some of the main ideas were:
- Continued work on the RPT:
- demonstration project
- Identification of possible problems when RPT is put in practise
- Start a new cycle of activities:
- Move from off-grid to grid connected issues
- Capacity building and training
- Standards
- Develop an EU research agenda on rural electrification
If you want to have more information about the working group, please visit http://www.eupvplatform.org/wg4-dev-countries.html or contact us at c.guerrero(at)ruralelec.org
ARE at the world environmental event, COP 15
The Alliance will be present at the most important environmental event in the world, representing a sector which proposes sustainable and clean solutions for the 1,6 billion people deprived from access to electricity. It is an exciting event for all those who believe in a clean and balanced environment and the Alliance is proud to be an active part of this event. In fact, in COP 15, ARE will have an exhibition and will organise a side event.
The later called “Seizing solar power: Key to reducing CO2 emissions now” will take place on Wednesday 16 December 2009, together with EPIA (European Photovoltaic Industry Association) and SEIA (U.S. Solar Energy Industry Association), from 16:30 to 18:00 in the Niels Bohr building. This this important meeting ARE will once again be the voice of developing countries. You are kindly invited to participate.
The exhibition stand will be set up for the whole second week of COP 15, from Saturday 12 until Friday 18 December. Feel free to pass by, to have a little chat with us, to inform yourself and to ask all these questions about rural electrification and renewables that you have been always thinking about. We expect you!
For more information on the side event or the exhibition, please contact c.guerrero(at)ruralec.org.
Please keep in mind that only already accredited representatives can access the exhibition and the event, and that the accreditation process is now closed. Unfortunately it is not possible for us to invite anyone who is not already registered.
News from the rural electrification world
Official launch of the Second EU Energy Facility’s Call for Proposals
On 30 November 2009 the European Commission finally launched the Call for Proposals of the Second Energy Facility. It was an important date for the Alliance and its members since the Facility is the only European instrument focusing on access to energy. Moreover, the secretariat has been working very actively to support its development and to direct it towards renewable energies.
Firstly established in 2005 to support access to sustainable and affordable energy services in rural and peri-urban areas in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, the second facility has an increased budget of €200 million. This very important amount will be implemented through two calls of proposals, one of € 100 million in 2009 and another of €60 Million later. 40 Million Euros are earmarked for a pooling mechanism for development banks. This mechanism is supposed to support development banks in financing commercial renewable energy projects.
Further information and all the relating documents can be found here.
Also the European Commission is organising an information session about the Energy Facility on the 18 December 2009 in Brussels.
The deadline for registering to this event is the 15 December. For more information contact: Europeaid-energy-facility-helpdesk(at)ec.europa.eu
Sustainable Energy Europe Awards 2010!
The Alliance for Rural Electrification is pleased to inform you of the opening call for the 4th edition of the Sustainable Energy Europe Awards 2010. These awards granted by the European Commission will be handed over by the European Commissioner for Energy at a prestigious Award Ceremony on the 23rd of March 2010.
The awards comprise five categories:
- Sustainable energy communities
- Market transformation including voluntary commitments
- Promotional, communication and education actions
- Demonstration and dissemination projects
- Cooperation programmes
The Alliance is associated to the European Commission in the framework of the European Sustainable Energy Campaign and we encourage our members and friends to propose their projects to this competition. We believe that it could generate interesting press coverage of your projects in the fields of energy efficiency, renewable energy, clean transport or bio-fuels and boost your company/organization public profile.
The procedure is quite user-friendly. If you have on-going projects, financed and/or implemented by public or private actors and which could fit in one or several of the 5 award categories, you just have to complete the Application Form (here) to become official partner by 15 December 2009. Then, you will be automatically eligible for the competition.
You can find all the necessary information about the awards, the three previous Ceremony Awards winners and the European Sustainable Energy Week here.
Please contact directly dc(at)sustenergy.org for any specific question about the awards or the partnership.
"Solar for All" initiative launches contest on innovative photovoltaic off-grid power supply systems
Ashoka and Canopus Foundation, initiators of the 'Solar for All' initiative, announce the "Solar for All" competition on innovative low-cost photovoltaic systems and customer financing schemes. The contest aims at manufacturers, PV system integrators, and social entrepreneurs providing sustainable and reliable energy to low income end-users without access to the electricity grid.
"Until today the access to modern energy is constrained by factors such as limited access to appropriate affordable technology, fragmented small markets, prohibitive taxes, and limited financial resources," Prof Eicke Weber, Director of the Fraunhofer Institute for Solar Energy ISE and chairman of the jury explains. "The 'Solar for All' initiative wants to meet the technical and financial challenge with a global design contest." The final preparatory work has been concluded in a workshop with the jury hosted by Dipal Barua, managing director of Grameen Shakti, in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
"A lot of projects in the past failed because the project developers were not taking an end-user perspective", remarks Peter Heller, Director of Canopus Foundation. "Our contest will motivate key-players to focus on end user needs, enhance modularity, scalability and replicability of PV systems as well as design innovative payment and financing schemes." The winner of the 'Solar for All' contest will be awarded a $250,000 equity investment by Deutsche Bank Americas Foundation. Three of the finalists will also be recognized for innovations in technology, finance and marketing. Participants in the contest could also be supported by a projected $100 million solar investment fund. This new fund, to be established by the 'Solar for All' initiative, will invest across the PV solar value chain, including microfinance support. David Green of Ashoka shares "we want the fund investment criteria to tilt the solar industry in the direction of affordable solar energy for low income communities".
The contest begins on December 1st, 2009 and the submission period ends on April 30th, 2010. For further information go to: www.sfa-pv.org
Contact: Barbara Börner
Canopus Foundation
E-Mail bboerner(at)canopusfund.org
Phone: +49 761 2020 172
Mobile: +49 170 2907290
King Baudouin Foundation: Call for nominations for the 2010-2011 King Baudouin International Development Prize
The King Baudouin Prize rewards the work of persons or organisations which have made a substantial contribution to the development of countries in the Southern hemisphere.
Since its inception in 1980, the Prize has always sought to promote an inclusive view of development. It endeavors to reward innovative and exemplary initiatives which give the local population the opportunity to take their development into their own hands, and are capable of being duplicated elsewhere in the world.
The 2010-2011 Prize of €150 000, will be awarded in the spring of 2011 at the Royal Palace in Brussels. Beyond its financial value, the Prize procures international visibility and promotion for its winners.
To submit a candidate’s file, please complete the electronic form on their website. Nominations must be received by February 1, 2010 and submitted by a nominator, i.e. a person or organism distinct from the candidate.
If you have any questions, please contact them by e-mail or call +32.2.549.0273.
Miscellaneous from the rural electrification world
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) provided Vietnam 151 million USD to develop rural electrification in poor and remote communities
The project consists of two components. In the first component, the project will help develop about five to ten mini-hydropower plants in the country's Northern provinces of Lai Chau and Dien Bien and several other northern and central provinces.
The second component of the project will support the government's ongoing program of supporting rural electrification of poor provinces where ethnic minorities live, said the newspaper.
About 100,000 poor households in more than 1,000 villages are expected to benefit from the second component.
Full article here.
Senior UN representatives said renewable energy is critical to address energy poverty in the developing world
Senior UN representatives were among those calling for priority to be given to renewable energy in addressing energy poverty in the developing world at a renewable energy conference joint-organised by the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Mexican Ministry of Energy (SENER).
Participants called for coordinated action on reducing industrial carbon emissions and to stimulate enterprise by augmenting the availability of renewable energy in the developing world. Participants also called for a resolution at the upcoming Copenhagen climate change summit, where a successor to the Kyoto protocol may be formulated, citing environmental initiatives as a key driver in forcing an accord.
UNIDO director-general Kandeh Y Yumkella said, ‘The level of energy poverty in the developing world is unacceptable and requires focused global action. Renewable energies are an inescapable part of our planet’s sustainable future and sustainable industrial development.’
‘The technology to change the situation exists, the money exists, the needs of the people are clear. Attacking this issue needs a focused approach with myriad benefits to development, equity, peace and security. Renewable energy should be the foundation and driving force of these efforts,’ he added.
Full article here.
US solar company eSolar expands into Sub-Saharan Africa
US solar thermal power firm eSolar Inc has granted a South African cleantech company exclusive rights to represent and distribute its concentrating solar power technology across seven countries in Sub-Saharan Africa reports Reuters.
Clean Energy Solutions, based in Johannesburg, develops renewable energy projects.
Initially, eSolar will focus on grid connected applications but later will look toward more community-based power plants in off-grid applications in Africa.
The South African government has set a goal to have 10 000 GW hours of capacity from renewable resources by 2013.
The partnership expands eSolar's global operations. Earlier this year eSolar partnered with Indian ACME Group to build solar thermal power plants in India over the next ten years.
Full article here.
Rice husks and biomass gasification provide power for rural indians
One solution for getting clean electricity to the 440-some million people in rural India who currently don't have grid power (or any power...) is to build wind farms, solar power plants, or use some decentralized but still tech-heavy option such as solar panels. And then there's rice husks and biomass gasification. Not a new technology, but one the Economic Times reports Husk Power Systems is taking advantage of to transform agricultural waste into power:
Currently HPS supplies electricity to over 50,000 people in 50 off-grid villages throughout the state of Bihar -- an area with particularly high levels of poverty and low levels of development. By 2012 HPS hopes to expand into 2000 villagers, HPS reports.
Rice husks are traditionally discarded, but when used in biomass gasification 1.5 kilogram yields about 1 kWh of electricity. Each "mini power plant" is 35-100 kilowatts in capacity and is connected to a small distribution grid tailored to each village.
The exact rate the villagers pay for the electricity has been kept confidential by HPS, other than saying that the cost is about half of what would be spent on kerosene and diesel fuel for generators and lanterns.
Full article here.
Bengal launches rural electrification scheme
Kolkata: West Bengal, which in Census 2001 was seventh from the bottom in the pecking order of power penetration in rural homes, has launched a Rs3,300 crore programme to build infrastructure to distribute power to six million more village households by March 2011.
The state-run West Bengal State Electricity Distribution Co. Ltd (WBSEDCL) supplies power now to some five million rural consumers, or around 45% of rural homes in the state.
Implementation of West Bengal’s 18-month rural electrification programme will result in 100% power penetration in rural households, but will increase average tariff by at least 20 paise a unit, or 1 kilowatt hour (kWh), according to Moloy De, WBSEDCL’s chairman and managing director.
Full article here.
A Sri Lankan hydro-power construction company expands its operations in East Africa
Hydropower International Ltd, a Sri Lankan hydro power construction company expands its business in East African countries to obtain more foreign revenue.
Chairman, CEO of the company Dr. Nishantha Nanayakkara says at present the company provides consultancy and construction support in Tanzania, Rwanda and Burundi to setup Mini hydro power project with isolated mini grids and community power projects for giving access to electricity for rural townships without depending on expensive Diesel power projects.
Full article here.
Solar PV based mini-grid: admirable rural pilot, but tough to replicate
While attending a solar industry conference about a month ago, Ravi Khanna, CEO of Scatec Solar, talked about a successful rural electrification demo project: a 8.7 kWp photovoltaic power plant, and a “mini-grid” connecting it to all 70 households in Rampura, a village near Jhansi in the Bundelkhand region.
Now this is unique, I thought, but I wondered if this was really a sustainable and replicable model. If it did work, what pre-existing conditions and post-execution mechanisms contributed? I wanted to see it for myself, so last week I visited Rampura. Development Alternatives (DA), the NGO that helped identify the village and execute the project, played host for the day sharing great insight into how the project came to be.
Full article here.
2,000 MW off-grid solar power by 2022 under Nehru solar mission
The Government today said that it has approved the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission with an aim of setting up 20,000 MW grid solar power and 2,000 MW off-grid solar power by 2022.
The mission also aims to develop solar technologies for making solar power competitive to conventional grid power and install 20 million square metres solar thermal collective area by 2022, New and Renewable Energy Minister Farooq Abdullah told Rajya Sabha in a written reply.
The Minister added that the mission will be implemented in three phases and government has approved the target to set up 1,100 MW grid connected solar plants and 200 MW capacity equivalent off-grid solar applications in the first phase till 2012-13.
The mission will also support research and development to reduce cost, improve efficiency and overall performance of solar energy systems and also for development of new materials and devices, Abdullah said.
In reply to another query, he said government has taken several measures to attract private investment in setting up renewable power generation projects, which include fiscal and financial incentives.
He added that State Electricity Regulatory Commissions will now have to fix a minimum percentage for purchase of electricity from renewable energy sources.
Full article here.
Electricity to reach about 8000 remote villages in Sindh, Pakistan
Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) has plans to provide electricity to 7874 remote villages in Sindh and Balochistan. About 6,968 of these villages are located in Balochistan. According to P&D sources, the National Rural electrification programme is the main project being implemented by Wapda to provide electricity to the villages of all the four provinces in the country.
The Solar Energy projects are to supplement the initiatives of the Wapda and is proposed to be implemented in the areas where electricity cannot be supplied through national grid due to technical, financial and economical hindrances, the sources added.
They said that the villages selected for supply of electricity through renewable energy technologies are located beyond 20-km radius of national grid and therefore provision of electricity through renewable energy technologies is the only solution.
A programme for electrification of remote villages of Sindh and Balochistan through solar energy was prepared by Alternative Energy Development Board (AEDB) on PM’s directive, they added. AEDB, they said developed four PC-1s for Rural Electrification through renewable energy in Sindh and Balochistan costing Rs 1167.73 million, which were approved by the CDWP on March 21, 2006.
Full article here.
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies Events: Incoming appointments
25 – 30 January 2010: "Rural Electrification training programme, Planning and Management of Electrification programmes", Hyderabad, India
Rural Electrification Programmes could endure some of the difficulties in the long term, unless the beneficiaries are involved in the planning, financing, distributing, marketing, maintenance and overall implementation of the various rural energy programmes.
This process could be further strengthened through a better convergence of the government programmes/ agencies in collaboration with Panchayati Raj Institutions, private partners/entrepreneurs, SHGs, NGOs and the community level stakeholders in the rural areas. Despite the availability of technologies and opportunities, such opportunities have not been taken advantage of so far. This warrants capacity building of the implementing agencies on the need for involving the people and skills for effective facilitation.
To this end this programme is designed with following objectives:
- To sensitise and enhance better understanding on the concepts of Rural Electrification, strategies and programmes of Union and State Governments.
- To impart managerial skills, tools and techniques in planning and effective management of Rural Electrification programmes.
- To expose the participants to the best practices in Rural Electrification.
Nominations for the programme may be sent before 20.01.2010 to the NIRD.
24 – 26 February 2010: Energy 2010. Solutions for Africa, South Africa.
ENERGY INDABA 2010, is an annual event on the African business calendar with a specific focus on exploring solutions for a new energy future for Africa. With the recent and ever increasing world-wide attention to Energy, ENERGY INDABA 2010, provides an ideal platform to encourage debate and provides the ideal networking climate for companies and individuals to interact. The conference will provide an opportunity to:
The awards comprise five categories:
- debate policy, review industrial progress and market trends.
- discuss the efficiency of various public support mechanisms and public-private partnerships across the continent.
- review new data and the latest technological trends globally to be under review.
Held in tandem with the exhibition, the conference will focus on presentations by leading experts on sustainable energy solutions for today and the future.
18-21 March 2010: International Small Wind Turbine Summit and Symposium, Husum, Germany
New Energy Husum 2010 is supposed to provide a comprehensive overview of the state of the art of small wind turbine technology for prospective operators and all those interested in new energy, thus providing manufacturers and distributors with a new, international exhibition platform for their products. 20 exhibitors showcased their small wind turbines in Husum in 2009, and there will be twice as many small wind turbine exhibitors at New Energy Husum 2010. There will also be a two day symposium.
More details at http://www.new-energy.de/kongress-new-energy.html?&L=1
22 – 26 March 2010: European Union Sustainable Energy Week 2010, Brussels, Belgium
Under the umbrella of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign, an initiative of the European Commission managed by the Executive Agency for Competitiveness & Innovation (EACI), the EU Sustainable Energy Week is Europe’s lead event on energy issues. The focus of this year’s EUSEW is on Europe’s cities and their efforts in the fight against climate change.
29 – 30 March 2010: ASIA 2010, Third International Conference on Water Resources and Renewable Energy Development in Asia, Kuching, Malaysia
The Conference and Exhibition will be held at the new Borneo International Convention Centre, Kuching, on 29-30 March 2010.
The Conference is being hosted in partnership with Sarawak Energy and is supported by Sarawak Hidro, Tenaga Nasional Berhad and international professional associations such as ICOLD, ICID, IWRA and the International Energy Agency. Speakers will represent the major water and energy utilities of the Asia and Pacific regions, as well as financiers, environmental specialists, and international experts on all aspects of dams, hydropower and other renewable energy sources. A major technical exhibition will take place alongside the event, which will gather more than 80 foreign and Malaysian companies.
The Conference will bring together more than 800 experts from more than 50 countries, to discuss all aspects of water resources development of particular relevance to the Asian region.