Clean Energy Policy News
8 November 2016
Buoyed by rapid technology cost reductions and the consolidation of renewable energy policies, Latin America hosts some of the world’s most dynamic renewable energy markets, according to a new report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Energy Market Analysis: Latin America finds that the region—endowed with some of the world’s best renewable resources—has an unprecedented opportunity to accelerate the uptake of renewables across all sectors.
Learn more.
7 November 2016
A new report from the International Finance Corporation shows that the historic Paris Agreement helped open up nearly USD 23 trillion in opportunities for climate-smart investments in emerging markets through 2030.
Learn more.
4 November 2016
Mexico’s wide-ranging energy reform, which began in 2013, is expected to reverse the country’s declining oil production, increase the share of renewables in the power sector and slow the growth in carbon emissions, providing a solid foundation for robust economic growth in the coming decades, according to the International Energy Agency.
Learn more.
27 October 2016
A one-week series of workshops designed to support the deployment of renewable energy in Central America will conclude tomorrow in Panama City. Led by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), this first-of-its-kind effort convened key energy stakeholders to tackle the challenge of integrating more renewable energy into regional power systems. Participants included Central American Integration System Member States, regional and national electric utilities, distributors, operators, regulatory authorities and other power system players.
Learn more.
25 October 2016
The International Energy Agency said today that it was significantly increasing its five-year growth forecast for renewables thanks to strong policy support in key countries and sharp cost reductions. Renewables surpassed coal last year to become the largest source of installed power capacity in the world.
Learn more.
17 October 2016
According to the Institute for Energy Economics & Financial Analysis(IEEFA), while some $130 billion was invested last year in renewable-energy development in the BRICS countries—Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa—about $51 billion more are required if these countries are to meet their commitments to climate-change mitigation policies. The four countries, in all, have announced goals that will require an annual investment over the next few years of $177 billion. IEEFA sees important stakes being taken by development banks that include the New Development Bank (NDB), which is a jointly owned and operated bank funded by the five BRICS nations. IEEFA also notes the importance of private-public partnerships, or “blended finance”.
Learn more.
16 October 2016
The UN Foundation’s online Investment Directory, showcasing over a $1 billion investment opportunity in the energy access space, is now open for new submissions and profile updates. The Investment Directory is intended to help highlight a range of investment and financing opportunities presented by the growing number of companies and organizations working in the off-grid energy space and to serve as a starting point for commercial and impact investors interested in exploring the opportunities in this market, and for donors and for analysts focused on tracking the strength of the sector.
Learn more.
11 October 2016
Until a few years ago, residents of the Cato Manor Township, in Durban, South Africa, suffered from the significant health and safety risks that come from regularly burning fires indoors. Nearly half the homes were using paraffin for cooking and heating, along with other fuels like wood and coal. They had no access to hot water, and they were struggling to pay their power bills. But, thanks to a programme rolled out in 2011, some residents saw their quality of life improve dramatically as the Green Building Council of South Africa and the World Green Building Council set out to retrofit 30 local low-income houses with a range of energy efficiency improvements.
Learn more.
10 October 2016
As governments focus on implementing their commitments to save energy and reduce carbon emissions under the recently ratified Paris agreement, a new report from the International Energy Agency (IEA) highlights the progress made by energy efficiency policies around the world over the past year, particularly in China and other emerging economies.
Learn more.
10 October 2016
Uganda’s Tororo solar photovoltaic (PV) project has received a $14.7 million senior loan from the Dutch development bank, FMO. Located in eastern Uganda, the plant will be developed and owned under the expertise of Italian firm Building Energy, which will be responsible for constructing and operating the power plant. The bank acted as Mandated Lead Arranger of the $14.7 million facility, of which 50% was syndicated to the Emerging Africa Infrastructure Fund.
Learn more.