Newsletter for Members and Supporters of the Alliance for Rural Electrification
CONTENT
- ARE Delegation in World Bank
- ARE WebConference on CDM
- ARE Event - COP 14, Pozman
- ARE Event - European Sustainable Energy Week 2009
ACTORS FROM THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION WORLD
NEWS FROM THE RURAL ELECTRIFICATION WORLD
RURAL ELECTRIFICATION AND RENEWABLE ENERGY EVENTS
EDITORIAL
While the world is going through the most important financial turmoil for decades, a lot of attention is being given to those who are loosing their jobs in the financial industry, the consumer levels that are going down in our cities and the recession that is likely to ensue within our vulnerable economies. Without doubt, the OECD countries will reduce their levels of spending, and growth trends will be reduced.
Little thought is given to that part of the world, which hardly has a financial system in itself, which lacks even the basics – as basic as switching on a light at home. Although this part of the world is accustomed to hardship, this financial crisis is going to have some additional consequences for them, at a time when it is least necessary.
The rural underveloped off-grid world used to have – if anything – diesel generating sets to provide for the very basic level of electricity it used. With the oil price escalation and the difficult logistics of bringing fuel to these isolated spots, prices for genset electricity has gone well beyond reasonable, and far beyond the cost of wind electricity and solar PV. At the same time, the cost of producing electricity with wind and solar PV has been reduced systematically in the last few years following scale and efficiency gains to the point where wind energy has already become less expensive than combined-cycle gas and coal power plants. Solar PV will be there in four to five years.
But there is a catch. Wind and PV energy costs are predominantly capital based; capital that has to be handed over upfront. Unfortunately, capital does not flow freely when there is a perception of country risk, especially if there are additional risks on the currency exchange rate for the returns. If we now add to these regular obstacles the liquidity crisis among the financial community, we come to the conclusion that rural electrification and the people that rely on it are facing difficult times ahead.
For this reason it is of the utmost importance that all the mechanisms and attention from public and private donors are now focused on this part of the world, which lacks the huge public assistance that western governments are providing to their financial institutions.
In many countries access to energy is now as big an obstacle to progress as access to capital. That is why the Alliance for Rural Electrification and the Working Group on Financing Schemes are focusing on best practices for meeting these needs: Regulated purchase tariffs, concession schemes, suitable legal framework etc. are key components for increasing private investment and making public support more efficient.
José Galindez
ARE Board Member
CEO Solarpack, Spain
News from the Alliance
New members in the Alliance for Rural Electrification:
We are proud to announce that two organizations have joined the Alliance.
SolarWorld has been actively involved with ARE activities for some time and we are thrilled to now have them onboard as full members so as to build on these fruitful beginnings. SolarWorld was established in Germany 1998 and rapidly expanded so that it now has additional subsidiaries in Spain, Asia, Africa and the US – they recently opened the largest solar cell production facility in the USA, not to mention produced their one hundred millionth solar cell in Freiburg!
Being interested in off-grid systems as well SolarWorld is engaged in the development of hybrid PV systems for off grid applications, especially in Africa. In joining ARE, SolarWorld identifies an opportunity to communicate their experiences with policy makers and help map out a strategy for further progress.
Scatec Solar was established in April 2007 as a subsidiary of Scatec AC. Scatec Solar is a system integrator company, undertaking all activities related to construction and operation of photovoltaic PV power plants and stand alone systems.
Scatec Solar is also in the process of developing off-grid solutions for deployment in developing countries, which is where its interest in ARE comes in. Scatec identifies in ARE an opportunity to access a network of information and experience. It plans to participate in workshops and seminars so as to allow for improved understanding of emerging markets and financing opportunities in developing countries.
By becoming members of the Alliance these companies are showing their trust in ARE’s added value. Wishing to invest in the off-grid markets, they also show that their will to develop socially responsible actions and their commitment to the objective of providing a sustainable energy access to the developing world. These arrivals confirm once more the Alliance in its approach. To benefit from our network and from its opportunities, to increase your participation in off-grid markets and to show you commitment to responsible actions, become a member of the Alliance!
11th February - ARE – General Assembly Meeting – Save the date!
The ARE General Assembly for 2009 will coincide with the European Union Sustainable Energy Week and ARE’s respective events under this bracket. In addition to reviewing our progress for 2008 and opportunities for the coming year ARE will present updates on world trade and market potential for renewables in emerging economies.
News from the Working Groups
Working Group on Technological Solutions: The Brochure hybrid Systems published soon!
WG on technological solutions: Web-conference, follow-up on support schemes for rural electrification.
On the 30th of October the Technological Working Group met ‘virtually’ to discuss its forth-coming publication on support schemes. The Web conference set up allowed ARE to discuss and incorporate member’s thoughts for the development of the paper and thus represent the viewpoints of the working group through an ongoing dialogue.
Particular elements discussed included: whether public awareness of renewables is still an issue; whether import tariffs present a problem for renewables; the difference between subsidies and financial incentive schemes such as feed-in-tariffs; existing quality standards and; the importance of determining the costs of renewables compared to other energy sources on a ‘case by case’ basis, incorporating transport costs as a key consideration for the final cost.
Despite some ‘fuzzy beginnings’ the team soon got the hang of the web based set up and concluded that it is a promising means of communication. We look forwards to the CDM webconference!
Working Groups on Financing Schemes
On last 23rd of April, the Alliance for Rural Electrification organized a workshop on “Financing rural electrification in developing countries - a two fold perspective: the EU and the renewable energy industry” in which several experts from the European Commission and from the renewable energy industry actively participated. Overall, this workshop provided an opportunity to initiate a common approach on the most suitable financing schemes for rural electrification and to deliver concrete proposals for cooperation.
Therefore, in order to launch a fruitful dialogue between the EC and the RE industry, it was decided that the Alliance will deliver to the European Institutions a set of concrete proposals in order to further increase rural electrification in developing countries as well the participation of the private sector in access to energy projects.
The Industry has done its work and is ready to present at the same time its positions on financing schemes for rural electrification as well as concrete proposal to the EC. Therefore ARE will meet the European Commission very soon in order to promote its ideas with the ultimate objective of launching a platform for collaboration with matters regarding rural electrification and development.
After this informal meeting, an update will be delivered to the members of the Working group in the second part of December and on this basis another meeting will be organized with European Commission at the highest level most probably in partnership with KFW.
ARE ACTIVITIES
11-13th November Delegation to the World Bank
The ARE secretariat along with industry representatives will be arriving in Washington on the 11th of November for a series of meetings with the World Bank. Member participants will be from Solarpack, Fortiswind, Fraunhofer ISE, , Studer Innotech and SMA.
Our objective will be to promote renewable solutions for rural electrification and build a platform for mutual learning and cooperation. The World Bank has been a crucial actor in promoting access to energy for poverty alleviation and their wealth of experience in implementing projects around the world will make them an important partner to learn from and work with to voice our own perspectives as developed through the experiences of our members. Along with the World Bank, we have scheduled meetings with the Interamerican Development Bank (IBD), ESMAP, the IFC the American Solar Energy Industry Association (SEIA), the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and USAID.
2nd half of November - Web-conference on the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM)
The web-conference is a new concept for ARE and we anticipate that it will further enhance opportunities for member engagement.
The CDM is a pertinent topic for renewable energy project developers. There are huge rewards in harnessing CDM financing, but the procedure has not yet lived up to expectations for small renewable projects. Our web-conference will present an overview of the mechanism and some experiences from IT Power who has consulted on CDM projects in China. We will discuss the options and relevance of utilizing the mechanism for small and medium sized rural electrification projects.
1-12 December 2008: "COP 14", Poznań, Poland
COP 14 (The 14th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), which will take place on 1- 12 December 2008 in Poznań, is the most prestigious forum of political discussion in the scope of climate protection, attracting the attention of the entire world. It is envisaged that the two-week sessions will be attended by 8,000 participants: more than 190 government delegations headed by the Ministers for the Environment or Climate Change, international institutions, environmental, business, NGOs and media.
The main objectives and principles of the UNFCCC are to prevent climate change and to mitigate its adverse effects but subjects such as the financial support for developing countries, technology transfer and international carbon emissions trading schemes are also discussed and decided under the Convention.
In addition to the plenary sessions and the meetings of working groups, the agenda of the Conference includes a number of side events (presentations, seminars, happenings and exhibitions) with the main purpose of drawing attention to the problems related to global climate change and to the eventual solutions to the multiple problems it raises. Within this framework, and along with the most important renewable energy industry associations (EWEA, GWEC…), ARE will be participating to this event.
The Alliance will organize an official side event on Monday 1st December 2008 on "Access to energy and climate change: the way forward" where our speakers will present to the high level attendees, our proposals to reconcile access to energy, energy demand increase and access to energy. On the other hand the Alliance has also been selected to hold a stand within the official exhibition area, where we will be able to promote our activities and the work of our members.
This event represents a unique lobbying opportunity for the RE industry towards stakeholders from all over the world as well as to push forward their role in the major debates which will take place there.
For more information about the COP 14 please see: www.cop14.gov.pl.
For more information about ARE activities, or if you are interested in supporting ARE in this event, please contact us.
12th February – EUSEW 09: ARE Event: Renewables for rural electrification: towards a sustainable model – The European Actions”.
ARE, partner of the European Commission in the framework of the Sustainable Energy Campaign, will be participating for the second time in the European Sustainable Energy Week 2009 (9th – 13th February 2009). The EUSEW is held to address key topics in sustainable energy and highlight the multi-sectoral nature of sustainable energy development. The event is open to the public and will stress the need for everyone to work together towards a common goal.
ARE will be a crucial voice in this event – uniquely positioned to promote the needs of developing countries and the opportunities for renewable energy in these emerging economies.
Last year during the EUSEW 08, the Alliance promoted rural electrification as a credible business option for the renewable industry. In 2009, ARE wants to go further and will present a general viable and sustainable model for rural electrification and address European initiatives in rural electrification.
We will be holding a morning event to communicate these ideas, with presentations on: ‘Sustainable financing and support schemes’; ‘Best technical and project management practises’; ‘European Policies and Tools’ as well as; ‘Perspectives from developing countries’.
Actors From the Rural Electrification's world
Indian Stories
- Dwipen Boruah,IT Power India, General Manager
Dwipen Boruah is the General Manager of IT Power India. Dwipen has more than 16 years of professional experience on feasibility study, design, implementation, planning and policy formulation for renewable energy projects in India, including under ‘Assam Energy development Agency’ - a pioneer nodal Agency for Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, Govt. of India. In this interview He describes aspects of the Indian rural electrification scheme and how this has impacted on renewable energy development in India.
Could you please briefly introduce the activities of IT Power in India?
IT Power India (ITPI), a member of the IT Power Group based out of UK, has successfully completed more than 130 projects in 23 countries since its inception in 1997. The projects cover a wide span — harnessing alternative energy, designing and developing rural electrification systems, managing funds for financing renewable energy technologies and implementing Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) projects to highlight a few. Training and capacity building are actively integrated into most projects.
Renewable Energy (RE) activities include policy formulation, pre-feasibility studies, project identification and management, turnkey implementation of projects, training, technology transfer, market research and analysis.
ITPI works with a wide range of clients including international actors such as the World Bank (WB), UNDP, IEA, DfID, USAID as well as Local Governments, Industry, Private Clients and NGOs.
The Energy Act of 2003 outlines an ambitious plan for the rural electrification of India. How is renewable energy incorporated into this Act?
The Electricity Act 2003 has several enabling provisions, with a view to promote development of non-conventional power generation. These include; providing connectivity and sales to the grid as a quota of total consumption; tariff policy considerations for utilisation of renewables; permitting stand-alone systems including renewables for rural areas; obligations for universal access including through use of off-grid RE systems and; exemption from licensing laws for cooperatives, franchises and individuals generation distributed electricity in rural areas.
In addition, the National Electricity Policy during September 2005 stresses the need to exploit renewable energy sources and encourage private sector participation through suitable promotional measures.
The National Tariff Policy 2006 further mandates each SERC to specify a Renewable energy Purchase Obligation (RPO) by distribution licensees in a time-bound manner.
11th Five-Year Plan (2007-2012): Under this programme, renewable energy should contribute 10% power generation installed capacity by 2012 with 4-5% share in the electricity mix. The physical target for this plan is 15 000 MW.
Integrated Energy Policy: So as to promote renewables and the most economic solution, the GoI recommends that all incentives must be linked to energy generated opposed to capacity created and that tenders should be selected on the basis of the lowest annualised subsidy per KWh of actual generation.
Finally there is an ongoing debate as to a separate Renewable Energy Act being formulated, which may increase the renewable generation target to 10 percent by 2010 and 20 percent by 2020 (it is currently 10 percent by 2012).
Does the government support a different policy in the case of remote areas for which grid extension is relatively unfeasible?
National Rural Electrification Policies, 2006 – Rural Energy Programme for 11th Plan
Goals include: access to electricity for all households by the year 2009; quality and reliable power supply at reasonable rates; and minimum lifeline consumption of one unit/ household/day as a merit good by year 2012.
For habitations where grid connectivity would not be feasible, off-grid solutions based on stand-alone systems may be taken up for supply of electricity. Where neither standalone systems nor grid connectivity is feasible and the only alternative is to use isolated lighting technologies like solar photovoltaic, these may be adopted. However such remote villages may not be designated as electrified until further solutions are provided.
Decentralised distributed generation facilities may be based either on conventional or non-conventional methods of electricity generation whichever is more suitable and economical. Non-conventional sources of energy could be utilized even where grid connectivity exists provided it is found to be cost effective.
RGGVY (Rajiv Gandhi Village Electrification Plan) provides capital subsidies for Decentralized Distributed Generation (DDG) from conventional or renewable (non-conventional) sources, to the effect of 90%. The balance is made up by states through their own resources.
What support is the government giving to renewable energy projects developed by private companies – are there any safeguards in place to ensure project success? Are there any incentives that encourage development of renewables in particular?
In India, policy initiatives encourage domestic private as well as FDI investments with a provision of fiscal and financial incentives such as tax holidays, accelerated depreciation and duty rebates. The state governments contribute by making available infrastructural facilities for wheeling of power and buying power from renewable units. Some of the fiscal incentives provided by the central government are as follows:
Fiscal incentives:
- No clearance is required from Central Electricity Authority for generation projects of up to UDS 20 million.
- A five-year tax holiday is allowed for RE power generation projects.
- A 100% depreciation in the first year. Accelerated 80% depreciation on specified projects.
- Financial support is available to RE industries for R&D projects in association with technical institutions
- Import of power projects are allowed
- Customs duty concession is available for RE spares and equipment
- Excise duty on a number of capital goods in the RE sector has been reduced or exempted
The law also includes technology specific incentives, catering for the specific needs of each industry. For example, soft loans are available for up to 25 MW capacity Small Hydro projects from the IREDA.
Finally some Indian states have their own specific incentives to encourage renewable energy investment. For example Maharashtra has set up a “green energy fund” for promoting renewable projects.
What has been the result of the policy? How have renewables benefited from the various schemes?
1. The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
The Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) supports rural energy programmes for the use of renewable energy products and devices. On-going programmes of the ministry and their impacts are outlined below.
- Integrated Rural Energy Programme (IREP):
The MNRE had been implementing the IREP as a centrally sponsored scheme. In October 2007, 323 districts in 20 States had been covered under the programme. A total of 63,250 solar home lighting systems, 7000 solar street lights and 94,000 solar lanterns were sanctioned to various states and UTs. Of these, 35,338 solar home lighting systems, 3,121 street lighting systems had been installed by December 31, 2007.
- Remote Village Electrification Programme:
This scheme aims at electrifying all the remote villages and hamlets through non-conventional energy sources such as solar energy, small hydro power, biomass, wind energy, hybrid systems, etc. 3368 un-electrified census villages and 830 un-electrified hamlets of electrified villages have so far been provided with basic lighting/electricity facilities.
- Village Energy Security Test Projects:
A concept to provide energy security in villages through renewable energy particularly through biomass-based technologies was developed in the 10th Plan. To begin with, a limited number of test projects are being taken up in remote villages and hamlets. The energy production systems could comprise: improved biogas plants; biomass gasifiers; and, biofuel based engines run on 100% Straight Vegetable Oils. Energy plantations are an integral part of these projects. 22 projects have so far been commissioned. 55 other test projects are under various stages of implementation.
2. Rural Electrification Corporation :
As per the present policy, loans for public sector generation projects are sanctioned up to a maximum of 80% of project cost. For Private Sector Projects, the financing by REC is limited up to 50% of the project cost or 25% of the net worth of REC, whichever is less. So far REC has sanctioned USD90mn for various Renewable Projects.
Impact of RE projects:
- Created awareness in the country.
- Encouraged entry of private sector investments in RE sector.
- Catalyzed market development by showcasing success stories - encouraging other lenders to support the sector.
- Helped in creating manufacturing, design & engineering, operation and maintenance capabilities.
- Intense efforts by IREDA and MNRE have encouraged several states to declare policies and incentives to encourage private investments in RE sector.
- Assisted the Government’ shift in policy from funding technology driven government installations and RE development programmes to commercialization through subsidy provisions and making RE development demand driven.
- Helped in creating direct and indirect employment generation, economic development and improving living conditions.
Kenyan Stories
- Sophie Westlake
Sophie Westlake recently joined ARE as a trainee. Having been directly involved with renewable energy promotion in Kenya, she has given a brief description of her experiences with the project PANERECC below.
KENYA - Parliamentary Network on Renewable Energy and Climate Change (PANERECC)
PANERECC is a network of MPs and local stakeholders engaged with the twin concerns of climate change and sustainable development through renewable energy. Ongoing activities are supported by ESDA consultancy and GTZ technical and financial assistance.
Kenya is endowed with rich natural resources for renewable energy development. Around 60% of its national consumption comes from large hydro-power stations and an additional 10-15% comes from geothermal resources (with thermal power making up the balance). Yet the structures of the national grid are seriously inadequate and the country is experiencing an ongoing power deficit due to under-capacity and drought induced hydro-power depletion. In addition, some 90% of the population does not have access to electricity. This is why many people, particularly those in the severely underserved rural areas, have been attracted by the option of solar power. The Kenyan private sector solar industry has emerged as a global leader with some 300,000 PV systems having been distributed since the early 90s – solar electricity has become a key alternative to grid-based rural electrification.
The idea of PANERECC was to take these successes further and see in what ways government could assist in promoting renewable uptake both for large and small scale grid based projects and for rural electrification. The approach was to utilise the experiences of other countries and policy models that had produced successful outcomes. Thus the third Workshop informed participating MPs on a variety of renewable energy policy models and their corresponding strengths and weaknesses in practice.
Kenya has recently implemented a new ‘feed-in-tariff’ law for biomass, wind and mini-hydro based resources so as to safeguard and encourage private investment. This is an exciting result for the PANERECC project and proves that an effective informative approach in combination with demonstrable private sector interest can have a powerful impact.
News from the rural electrification world
Rural electrification program in Guatemala with IDB financing
Guatemala will receive a US$55 million loan from the Inter-American Development Bank to finance a rural electrification program.
The program will finance government incentives to promote rural electrification through power grid connection projects, including distribution infrastructure and associated transmission works. It will also help promote and develop electrification projects in isolated systems employing renewable energy.
One of the greatest challenges facing Guatemala to reduce poverty in broad segments of the population, particularly in rural and indigenous communities, is the effective delivery of public services. The project will improve the living conditions of low-income populations and boost productivity in rural communities by enhancing and expanding electricity service coverage.
The program will contribute to reach the objectives of the IDB’s Sustainable Energy and Climate Change Initiative (SECCI) allowing new users in rural areas connected to the electric grid to be supplied with clean energy mainly from renewable sources such as hydroelectricity, and promoting the use of renewable energy sources such as solar, wind and hydroelectricity to supply isolated systems. This will have the effect of reducing deforestation by minimizing the use of wood, also limiting the use of diesel, kerosene, and other hydrocarbons that currently serve as sources of lighting and electric power generation.
This two-phase US$100 million program will consist of the first financing approved today for a 25-year term with a 5-year grace period, at a variable interest rate and a second financing expected to be approved upon a satisfactory progress in the first one is shown. The National Electrification Institute (INDE) will carry out the program.
Press Releases – Inter-American Development Bank, www.iadb.org
How the Philippines Can Be a Solar Power
With SunPower and Solaria already operating solar manufacturing plants here, the Philippines could become a profitable "Solar Valley"
The solar power industry these days is a mix of large and small companies pushing their own technologies. With all this competition, are there still opportunities for developing countries like the Philippines? Yes, particularly in manufacturing and in the downstream and applications areas of the value chain. The Philippines semiconductor and electronics industry, working closely with local universities, industries, and investors, can offer significant opportunities for innovation, particularly in solar energy applications development and manufacturing-process reengineering and optimization.
SunPower is operating two solar manufacturing facilities here. A company spokesperson confirms that its exports from the Philippines totaled $220 million in 2006 and with the help of its Filipino engineers; SunPower has managed to drive down costs and improve manufacturing yields significantly.
A privately held Silicon Valley-based company, Solaria, is also manufacturing solar panels here. Solaria Chief Operating Officer Alelie Funcell says the company selected the Philippines because of its "highly educated labor pool and strong electronics industry infrastructure, specifically in back-end assembly."
http://www.businessweek.com/globalbiz/content/oct2008/gb20081010_049382.htm?campaign_id=rss_as
Business interests flourish in Morocco
Business interests in Morocco are set to flourish with the coming on board of companies to support the energy sector. Quantum Fuel Systems Technologies Worldwide and German Solar Partner Asola have signed agreement to establish a joint venture, to ensure availability of solar photovoltaic modules.
The move is in support of the growing demand for renewable energy in North Africa, especially that many countries in the region are facing the challenge of developing alternative energy sources and prioritizing their utilization because of oil prices.
Asola and the Moroccan partner Majdaline Holding will implement a solar module manufacturing facility in Casablanca, with initial capacity of 30 MW solar modules, and a potential to generate revenues in excess of $100 million annually.
Morocco has received more than $140 million in loans and grants from the World Bank for the development of renewable energy as well as a $223.5 million loan from the African Development Bank for the construction of thermal solar power plant.
This North African country is one of the sunniest countries on the planet, making it a leading candidate for solar power development. And the strong wind coming off the Atlantic Ocean makes the country also, an ideal location for the construction of wind farms.
http://www.africanews.com/site/list_message/16237?data[source]=rss
SENEGAL: Going solar could help poor
DAKAR, 8 October 2008 (IRIN) –
Investing in solar energy could bring electricity to millions of Senegalese, significantly reduce electricity bills in the long term, and attract millions of dollars in development funding under the UN-brokered Clean Development Mechanism, says the UN, but only if investors step in.
Spiralling fuel costs increase the urgency to go solar. “If you reduce these [fuel] oil import costs,” said Nick Nuttall, spokesperson for the UN Environment Programme in Nairobi, “it will do a tremendous amount to save money for government investment in schools, hospitals and other development activities to help the poor.” Moreover, just one in four Senegalese has access to electricity and the national electricity company, Senelec, struggles to meet even this demand.
Opportunities & Benefits
Senegal, like its neighbours, gets 3,000 hours of sunshine a year at an intensity of 5.8 Wh/m2 per day.
Going solar may therefore be an easier way to provide electricity to rural communities than getting them on the grid.
In addition, solar power could save money in the long term – with giant solar power plants creating electricity at half the cost of diesel (about US$18.40 per kw/hr).
Furthermore, investing in solar energy and other renewables creates more jobs than investing in oil and gas (according to the ILO), and the carbon emissions market makes investing in solar power a draw for wider sustainable development projects.
Challenges
It is hard to combine disparate efforts to create economies of scale. However, GTZ is working with the Senegalese Agency for Rural Electrification (ASER), aiming to bring electricity to 60 percent of the targeted populations within three years. GTZ coordinator Mansour Assani Dahouenon agreed. “The challenges for investors in renewable energies are the lack of a regulatory framework, and of incentives to investors,” he said. Debt burdens and outdated infrastructure along with heavy government involvement also present barriers.
Progresses
GTZ is also assisting government to draw up legislation on how to feed electricity from renewable energy projects directly into the national grid.
West African Renewable Energy Community also decided in September 2008 to promote renewable energy projects and push leaders across the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) to pass stronger laws to protect renewable investment. In the meantime public-private partnerships and government backed big financing projects may enable solar power be affordable on a mass scale.
Nuttall recognised a solar-powered West Africa was still a long way off, but, he said, its renewables’ market can only expand. In 2007, US$150 billion were invested in renewable energy worldwide, a 60 percent increase over the previous year.
http://www.irinnews.org/Report.aspx?ReportId=80809
Rural Electrification and Renewable Energies Events: Incoming appointments
9-15 February 2008: "The European Sustainable Energy Week 2009", Brussels, Belgium. Organizers: European Commission
The European Commission is putting on the third EUSWE. It will take place in Brussels, Belgium, and in other cities across Europe from Monday 9th to Friday 15th February, 2009.
As a campaign associate, ARE has been assigned a slot in the Charlemagne Building (one of the most representative buildings of the EC) to develop a half day activity within the framework of the EUSEW 2009 (more information here).
Organized by the most important European and International organizations dealing with renewable energies and environment The Sustainable Energy Week will be a great event and the occasion to promote renewable actions for rural electrification.
To have more information about the EUSEW 09 visit the webpage www.eusew.eu
21-25 April 2009: "International Show of Renewable Sources of Energy and of Environment in Africa", Dakar, Senegal. Organizers: Sinergie Afrique
“This proposal is based on the desire to contribute towards the promotion of alternative sources of energy and towards the strengthening of environmental protective measures in Senegal and Africa. This step is even more crucial given the huge natural potential of the African continent in these areas.”
The event follows two previous International Salons on solar, wind and biomass sources of energy organised in 1983 and 1985 by EXCAF in Dakar. The objective of this salon is to provide a forum for information exchange and promotion for public and private users. In addition, the event seeks to promote investment, technology transfer and business to business relations.
The event will include:
- An international exhibition open to companies, international organizations and research & development structures;
- An international colloquy based on African concerns including energy, environmental issues and African focused alternative solutions.
- Partnership building encounters with a view to promote investments in renewable sources of energy and different sectors of the environment.
For more information: www.sinergie-afrique.com / E-mail : info(at)sinergie-afrique.com
25 – 26 May, 2009: “Small PV-Applications - Rural Electrification and Commercial Use –“ University of Applied Sciences Ulm, Germany. Organizer: OTTI
The market for ‚Small PV Applications‘, delivering light to remote rural homes or electricity for remote infrastructure equipment in industrialized and in developing countries is a very interesting part of the PV world. Estimations speak of 150 MW of PV power which is installed annually in small off-grid applications and foresee stable annual market growth rates of 10 to 15 percent, for an annual turnover of well over one billion Euro.
The bigger part of this market segment is not depending on political support of renewable energies: for small off-grid needs of electricity, PV is often the least cost solution under first investment, operation cost and reliability aspects. Therefore, this symposium will be dedicated in particular to the questions of small off-grid electricity supply with PV.
The Conference will focus on different issues from PV SHS to off-grid civil infrastructure, power for industrial infrastructure etc. The Alliance for Rural Electrification, which is already supporting organization of the “PV-Hybrid and Mini-Grid Conference”, also organized by the East Bavarian Technology Transfer Institute (OTTI), will also be supporting this conference which is directly relevant to the Alliance business.
OTTI is also lauching a call for papers to potential speakers to the conference. Papers are invited on the following topics: Rural Electrification & Solar Home Systems; Rural Electrification & Power for Infrastructure; Industrial Applications (e.g. Telecommunication; Integrated Systems and Products (e.g. Street Lights)
For more information please contact: gabriele.struthoff-mueller(at)otti.de or visit the webpage: http://www.otti.de/pdf/cfppva3273.pdf