ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY

Transcription

1 ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY 27th Session of the ACP-EU JOINT PARLIAMENTARY ASSEMBLY March 2014, Strasbourg (France) WORKSHOP Supporting private sector development and promoting investments in renewable energy sources in ACP countries Chair: Catherine Bearder Rapporteur: Arnaldo Alvaro Ramos (Cape Verde) Location: Convention and Exhibition Centre, Palais des Congrès - Room Schuman Place de Bordeaux, Strasbourg Sunday 16 March 2014, 9: Welcome by the Chair AGENDA Session 1: Policy orientations and financing of renewable energy sources investments followed by questions and answers Dimitris Papastefanakis, Panagiotis Chaviaropoulos (CRES): EU renewable energy sources policy orientations and the role of the Center for Renewable Energy Sources in their implementation in Greece Monique Koning (EIB): Financing renewable energy sources investments: policy, priorities and projects Tea/Coffee break Session 2: Energy co-operation and private sector Innovation and technology perspectives followed by questions and answers Roberto Ridolfi (DG DEVCO): Energy co-operation and private sector participation. EU initiatives and new opportunities for ACP countries Georgios Pantoulis (DG DEVCO): Update on the latest programmes and initiatives in energy co-operation Estathios Peteves (DG JRC): Towards an integrated roadmap for energy technologies and innovation in the EU Closing remarks Lunch

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3 Summary More than 1.2 billion people in the world mainly concentrated in rural and peri-urban areas of developing countries do not have access to electricity. The situation is particularly severe in African, Caribbean and Pacific (ACP) countries, where the access rate to electricity can be as low as 10% or even less in some rural areas. Access to energy is, consequently, a fundamental prerequisite for economic growth and social well-being. The EU has established ambitious targets and roadmaps for the reduction of GHG emissions by 2050 which envisage a substantial decline of the role of traditional fossil sources such as coal, oil and gas. The strong presence of renewables is acknowledgeable in all 2050-roadmap scenarios. In light of the above, exploitation of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) has been a priority issue in the ACP-EU relations. To further strengthen the ACP-EU cooperation on RES, a workshop is organized on March 16, 2014 as part of the agenda of the 27 th ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly hosted in Strasbourg, having the following theme: Supporting private sector development and promoting investments in renewable energy sources in ACP countries. The main objective of the workshop is to contribute, based on EU experience, to the improvement of the business environment in ACP countries through renewable energy investments, address policy orientation and financing issues and present state of the art technology perspectives and innovations. There will be two sessions followed by moderated discussions among the participants. Besides the MPs, selected experts are invited to contribute to this high level event, including academics and specialists, business developers, NGOs and policy officials from the member states. Brief description of the Sessions Session 1: Policy Orientations and financing of RES investments. i. Presentations by Dimitris Papastefanakis- Panagiotis Chaviaropoulos, CRES The first presentation of the session will focus on European policy orientations in the field of RES (research technology development and innovation, penetration targets, investments support) and the role of the Centre for Renewable Energy Sources and Saving (CRES) in their implementation in Greece. This is a joint presentation by Dr. Papastefanakis and Dr. Chaviaropoulos (both Directors at CRES), addressing the special advisory role of the Centre to the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change. ii. Presentations by Monique Koning, Head of Project Finance Division, ACP Directorate, EIB and Project Promoter (tbc) The presentation of the European Investment Bank (EIB) will outline the role of the EIB as a major funder of energy projects, and the priority it attaches to renewable energy, energy efficiency, research, and networks. Africa s energy gap will be examined, along with obstacles for increased private sector involvement and possible areas for solutions. Finally, the EIB response to SE4ALL will be explained.

4 Session 2: Energy co-operation and private sector - Innovation and technology perspectives. i. Presentations by Roberto Ridolfi, Director for Sustainable Growth and Development, European Commission, Directorate General for Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid and Georgios Pantoulis, Head of Sector Energy Policy Implementation, European Commission, Directorate General for Development and Cooperation - EuropeAid The European Commission will present the instruments providing support to energy projects in partner countries. Until recently, significant part of such support was delivered through regional Investment Facilities, by blending EU grants with loans from Development Banks. In this context, more than EUR 400 million have been allocated in that could leverage EUR 4-8 billion investments in sustainable energy. Simultaneously, grants of a total value of more than EUR 100 million will be provided in 2014 for rural electrification projects. Moreover, the 'EU Technical Assistance Facility for SE4All' of a total budget of EUR 80 million that was launched in 2013, will support partner countries' efforts in refining and implementing policies that would allow for the massive investments needed in the energy sector to take place. Further on, over 25 countries have indicated their intention to choose energy as a focal sector for their bilateral cooperation with the EU within the context of the next multi annual financial framework ( ) for which the national and regional programming exercise is on-going. ii. Presentation by Estathios Peteves, DG JRC The last presentation of Session 2 addresses the integrated roadmap and energy technologies and innovation in the EU. The presentation is given by Dr. Estathios Peteves from JRC. In May 2013, the Commission published a Communication, on Energy Technologies and Innovation setting out a strategy to enable the EU to have a world-class technology and innovation sector fit for coping with the challenges towards an unveiling low-carbon economy up to The Commission currently pursues the development of an Integrated Roadmap addressing the energy system as a whole and measures along the entire innovation chain together with SET-Plan stakeholders and the Member States. The cost competitiveness of the technological solutions and their systemic integration aspects are key considerations of the Integrated Roadmap.

5 Participants Session 1 Centre for Renewable Energy and Sources Greece CRES is the Greek national centre for Renewable Energy Sources (RES), Rational Use of Energy (RUE) and Energy Saving (ES). Over the years, CRES experts have gained great experience in all policy, research and technology issues, closely cooperating with EC, national, European and other governments, participating in energy forums, energy related networks, etc. CRES activities include among others: Applied research, technology development and technical support in all RES & EE sectors, Development and management of information systems and energy models, Study, design and implementation of integrated RES applications in the framework of development assistance and territorial cooperation, Development of transnational entrepreneurship, Training and Dissemination activities. The European Investment Bank The European Investment Bank is the European Union's bank, owned by and representing the interests of the European Union Member States. While more than 90% of the EIB s activity is focused on Europe the bank also implements the financial aspects of the EU's external and development policies. The EIB has been an active development partner of the ACP countries and OCTs since 1963 and 1968 respectively. Since 2003, the EIB operates in these regions under the ACP-EC Partnership Agreement and the Overseas Association Decision. Financing under these frameworks is provided from EU Member States budgets - the European Development Fund, alongside EIB own resources, which the Bank manages on a broadly self-financing basis by borrowing on the capital markets. Session 2 European Commission (DG DEVCO) Promoting access to reliable, secure, affordable and sustainable energy services is a key driver for poverty eradication and inclusive growth in partner countries. However, some 1.2 billion people worldwide have no access to electricity, whilst twice as many still use biomass such as wood, harvest waste or dung, for cooking and heating. In response to this global challenge, President Barroso s proposed target of helping developing countries to provide access to sustainable energy services to 500 million people by 2030, sets the bar of expectations quite high obliging to 'front load' our efforts considering the time frame needed for the required energy policy reforms and investments to be realised and deliver results. DG Joint Research Centre DG JRC is the Commission's in-house science service with a mission to provide EU policies with independent, evidence-based scientific and technical support throughout the whole policy cycle. Working in close cooperation with policy Directorates-General, the JRC addresses key challenges while stimulating innovation through developing new methods, tools and standards, and sharing its know-how with the Member States, the scientific community and international partners. The Institute for Energy and Transport is one of the seven Institutes of DG JRC. Its mission is to provide support to European Union policies and technology innovation, so as to ensure sustainable, safe, secure and efficient energy generation, energy distribution and use and, foster sustainable and efficient transport in Europe.