ARE-RECP Off-Grid Investment Forum creates fertile ground for clean off-grid investments
Amsterdam, 15 April 2016 – In a joint effort to mobilise key decision makers as well as institutional and business representatives to further investments in off-grid renewables in the developing world, the Alliance for Rural Elecrtification (ARE) and the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP) organised a high level investment forum in ING Headquarters and the Bijlmer Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Amsterdam, 15 April 2016 – In a joint effort to mobilise key decision makers as well as institutional and business representatives to further investments in off-grid renewables in the developing world, the Alliance for Rural Elecrtification (ARE) and the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP) organised a high level investment forum in ING Headquarters and the Bijlmer Amsterdam Arena in Amsterdam, The Netherlands on 12-13 April 2016.
The forum was attended by more than 250 participants from the private sector, financiers and development partners. It opened with the announcement of the launch of ElectriFI’s first call for proposals on Friday, 15 April 2016. The CEO of SE4All and Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General Rachel Kyte also delivered a keynote speech appealing to investors and financiers to help de-risk, unlock and amplify investments in renewable off-grid projects.
While aiming to inspire key players in the sector to up investments in clean electrification markets, the Forum equally gave recognition to companies and organisations, which have made special contributions to advance the development of the rural electrification sector in the past. At the occasion of its 10-year anniversary, ARE celebrated it first Awards to honour the passion and strong efforts of Phaesun (Private Sector in Developed Countries), Rahimafrooz Renewable Energy Limited (Private Sector in Developing Countries), OFID (NGOs & Foundations), Kenya (Government in Developing Countries) and the European Commission DG DEVCO (Multilateral & International Organisations.
Building upon the strong foundation created by discussions and announcements of Day 1, the second day of the forum, which was hosted by RECP, provided a structured platform for participants to come together to talk business. The structured B2B and matchmaking session in the afternoon featured about 180 parties engaged in more than 620 direct meetings.