Page 11 - Energize February 2021
P. 11
NEWS
Energy transformation in Southern Africa boosted
he International Renewable Energy will conduct joint activities under the Africa Clean Energy Corridor (ACEC) in the areas of
Agency (IRENA) and the Southern renewable energy resource assessment, longterm planning, as well as investments, policy,
TAfrican Development Community’s regulatory and institutional frameworks. Implementation of activities under ACEC provides a
(SADC) Centre for Renewable Energy and comprehensive opportunity to avoid greenhouse gas emissions, in line with the objectives of the
Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) signed a Paris Agreement.
memorandum of understanding (MoU), to “SACREEE has implemented several joint programmes with IRENA through the African Clean
work together on accelerating the Energy Corridor initiative and the SADC Renewable Energy Entrepreneurship Support Facility
deployment of renewable energy solutions, since 2017,” says SACREEE’s executive director, Kudakwashe Ndhlukula. “The renewal of this
including decentralised technologies, in MoU will expand and strengthen our collaboration in areas of mutual interest and given
Southern African countries. The two mandates. We therefore appreciate the continued partnership and support from IRENA towards
organisations will also cooperate on policy the fulfilment of our mandate towards an energysecure and resilient society through clean,
development, capacity building programmes affordable and sustainable energy solutions,” Ndhlukula says.
and regional events aimed at attracting The two organisations will also cooperate to accelerate renewable energy investments
investments to the region. through the implementation of the “Southern African Investment Forum” which will facilitate
Southern Africa has seen remarkable access to sustainable finance in the region. The forum is part of IRENA’s contribution to the
improvement in electricity access over the Climate Investment Platform (CIP), designed to advance sustainable energy projects to
past decade. This is largely due to a strong investment maturity and facilitate their access to finance. Key forum activities include
commitment from SADC member states to matchmaking between projects, project developers, and potential financiers and investors.
take advantage of the region’s vast The organisations also renewed their commitment to support entrepreneurship in the
renewable energy potential to improve region. The two organisations previously partnered on establishing the SADC Renewable Energy
energy security and meet rising energy Entrepreneurship Support Facility. The objective of the facility is to enhance and strengthen the
demand. As a result, the total share of capacity of entrepreneurs in small and mediumsized ventures to assess the business potentials
renewables in power generation rose from of sustainable energy, develop viable business plans and loan requests, and manage their
23% in 2015 to almost 39% in 2018. businesses successfully. n
However, despite significant progress,
electricity access remains a challenge. Contact IRENA, info@irena.org
“The Covid19 pandemic has re
emphasised the importance of reliable,
affordable, clean energy,” says IRENA’s
directorgeneral, Francesco la Camera. “It
has served as a stark reminder that the new
energy age must be inclusive, just and low
carbon if we are to achieve sustainable
development in Southern Africa and around
the world. Africa can seize the moment for
meaningful change, and dramatically
improve socioeconomic outcomes by
moving decisively towards the energy
transformation. This agreement will bolster
regional progress,” La Camera says.
By building capacity in the SADC region,
IRENA and SACREEE aim to accelerate
renewable energy deployment and achieve
universal energy access by creating
environments more conducive to renewable
energy investments. The two organisations Francesco la Camera Kudakwashe Ndhlukula
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