VILLAGE CLEAN ENERGY ACCESS IN ASIA-PACIFIC BOOSTED IN MANILA
NEWS RELEASE: 29th April 2008
Please click here for full report.
GVEP International is working in partnership with ADB and the Foundation for Development Cooperation (FDC) to harness the knowledge, experience and resources of dozens of energy and finance experts to improve the lives of the one billion people in Asia and the Pacific currently dependent on wood, kerosene and traditional biomass for cooking, heating and lighting.
The gathering was set three clear challenges, by FDC's Executive Director, Craig Wilson, to guide the discussion and the development of future strategies to increase access to clean/cleaner/more renewable energy at village level:
- "Who provides the leadership to assemble the technology and finance needed?"
- "What vehicles and channels are available or needed to get the villages powered?"
- "What is the business case to ensure that the new systems are profitable and sustainable, not reliant on grants or subsidies?"
New forms of finance are becoming available, especially from those interested to invest in cleaner energy to reduce carbon emissions, and the workshop identified real opportunities for communities to attract investment and implementation of the new technologies. The role of microfinance institutions will be critical. ADB has launched the “Energy for All” initiative, which is financed by a US$2.3m grant from the Netherlands, which will serve as a catalyst for the implementation of energy access projects aimed at a more efficient use of energy for the rural and urban poor. The workshop, held at ADB headquarters in Manila from 9 to 11 April, shared the deep experience of managers of off-grid renewable and cleaner energy projects – from solar electric panels and solar cookers, small hydro electric schemes, biomass waste digesters, LPG gas cookers, briquette stoves, efficient light bulbs and less polluting transport options. All the materials will be made available through the GVEP International, FDC and ADB websites.
GVEP International partners made active contributions to the workshop sessions. Some of the partners who made presentations were:
- Alternative Energy Promotion Centre, AEPC, Nepal, http://www.aepcnepal.org/
- Appropriate Technology and Community Development Institute, ATCDI, PNG, http://www.global.net.pg/atprojects/NGO's.htm http://www.barefootpower.com/index.html
- Foundation for Sustainable Technologies (FoST), Nepal, to the press release,
- International resources, Phillipines, http://www.irg-p.com.ph/
- Khaula Karya Foundation, Indonesia, erlangga@khaula.org
- PT Gikoko Kogyo, Indonesia, http://www.gikoko.co.id/
- SEEDS guarantee Ltd, Sri lanka, http://www.seeds.lk/
- SIBAT, Phillipines (Previous GAP Fund project), http://www.sibat.org/
- Solar Electric Company, Philippines, http://www.solarelectric.com.ph/index.php
- Sunlabob Renewable Energy Ltd, LaoP.D.R, http://www.sunlabob.com/
- Winrock International, Nepal, http://www.winrock.org.np/
- YAMOG Renewable Energy Development Group, Philippines (previous GAP Fund project), nonoy.cacayan@gmail.com
GVEP International is using this important meeting to develop further our strategy in the region, which is being lead by our South Asia regional manager Hari Natarajan. For further information on our planned activities in the South East Asia and Pacific region, and South Asia, then please contact info@gvep.org
Please click here to see the FDC press release http://www.fdc.org.au/
Please click here for full report.