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Mediterranean Renewable Energy Program (MEDREP)
[last updated January 14, 2005 4:46 AM]
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General Information
Partnership website(s) |
Expected TimeframeJune 2002 - 2012 |
Partners
Governments:
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Major Groups:
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UN System:
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Other intergovernmental organizations:
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Other:
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Thematic Focus
Primary Themes:
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Secondary Themes:
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Geographic Coverage
Geographic Scope: Sub-regional Mediterranean
Country(ies) where the partnership is being implemented: Algeria, Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia |
National Focal Points
This partnership has not made any contact with the national focal points for sustainable development in the countries involved
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Goals and Objectives
Summary of the partnership's goals and objectives
The two principal objectives of the programme are:
- to provide modern energy services particularly to rural populations;
- to contribute to the climate change mitigation by increasing the share of renewable energy technologies in the energy mix in the region.
In this perspective, the programme aims at developing a sustainable renewable energy market system in the greater Mediterranean Region, removing project, policy and trade barriers.
With a view to linking capabilities and market between developed and developing Countries throughout the Region and beyond, the program is built on three main sub-projects:
- tailoring of financial instruments and mechanisms to support projects;
- strengthening of policy frameworks and removing barriers to projects development;
- building a stronger private sector infrastructure, considering the positive role of ¡§Tradable Renewable Certificates¡¨ and ¡§Certified Emission Reductions¡¨.
These sub-projects aim to strengthen existing networks while favouring the creation of new relations between stakeholders.
Specific objectives:
delivering electricity to isolated rural populations, based on village-scale mini-grids;
accelerating the integration of REs on the national electricity grids with the objective of reaching grid stabilisation and meeting supply-demand balance;
addressing the global approach of REs introduction (mainly solar but also geothermal energy) in the building sector in coherence with the energy efficiency policy (the results of the MEDA/Solar thermal technologies Dissemination programme in the building sector will be integrated);
desalinating sea water, in order to increase drinking water supply and water availability for irrigation;
increasing agricultural water pumping by solar, wind and biomass powered water pumps;
disseminating cooling systems for the food conservation, powered by renewable, in farms and fisheries;
addressing, in the grid-connected urban and tourist areas, the household and the community demand for lighting, food and drugs cooling, access to the communication networks, using solar home systems, small wind turbines, biogas and biomass power technologies;
creating joint ventures and other manufacturing, assembly and distribution/installation capabilities in developing countries, so that they gain the maximum economic benefit from the Initiative; promoting certification / standardisation programmes for RE equipments.
These objectives will be reached by the implementation of innovative pilot projects to be considered a catalogue of best practices to be replicated, increasing the share of RE options available through already feasible RE power plants like wind farm, biomass co-combustion and hydro plants.
- to provide modern energy services particularly to rural populations;
- to contribute to the climate change mitigation by increasing the share of renewable energy technologies in the energy mix in the region.
In this perspective, the programme aims at developing a sustainable renewable energy market system in the greater Mediterranean Region, removing project, policy and trade barriers.
With a view to linking capabilities and market between developed and developing Countries throughout the Region and beyond, the program is built on three main sub-projects:
- tailoring of financial instruments and mechanisms to support projects;
- strengthening of policy frameworks and removing barriers to projects development;
- building a stronger private sector infrastructure, considering the positive role of ¡§Tradable Renewable Certificates¡¨ and ¡§Certified Emission Reductions¡¨.
These sub-projects aim to strengthen existing networks while favouring the creation of new relations between stakeholders.
Specific objectives:
delivering electricity to isolated rural populations, based on village-scale mini-grids;
accelerating the integration of REs on the national electricity grids with the objective of reaching grid stabilisation and meeting supply-demand balance;
addressing the global approach of REs introduction (mainly solar but also geothermal energy) in the building sector in coherence with the energy efficiency policy (the results of the MEDA/Solar thermal technologies Dissemination programme in the building sector will be integrated);
desalinating sea water, in order to increase drinking water supply and water availability for irrigation;
increasing agricultural water pumping by solar, wind and biomass powered water pumps;
disseminating cooling systems for the food conservation, powered by renewable, in farms and fisheries;
addressing, in the grid-connected urban and tourist areas, the household and the community demand for lighting, food and drugs cooling, access to the communication networks, using solar home systems, small wind turbines, biogas and biomass power technologies;
creating joint ventures and other manufacturing, assembly and distribution/installation capabilities in developing countries, so that they gain the maximum economic benefit from the Initiative; promoting certification / standardisation programmes for RE equipments.
These objectives will be reached by the implementation of innovative pilot projects to be considered a catalogue of best practices to be replicated, increasing the share of RE options available through already feasible RE power plants like wind farm, biomass co-combustion and hydro plants.
Targets and Progress
Partnership targets greater access to electricity of isolated rural populations, based on villag-scale mini-grids and household renewable energy systems, in order to eradicate poverty.
Significant contribution to utility generation from renewable energies, improving the environmental and economic performance of the energy sector. Commercially-viable and renewables-powered desalination of sea water and treatment of wastewater, in order to increase freshwater supply and water availability for irrigation. Improved productivity from agriculture and fisheries through water pumping, refrigeration systems for food conservation and other productive uses powered by renewable energy systems, enhancing local productivity and economies. Creation of a suitable institutional framework supporting renewable energy market and project implementation at local and regional level, also considering the positive role of ¡§Tradable Renewable Certificates¡¨ (TRECs) and ¡§Certified Emission Reductions¡¨ (CERs) deriving from Clean Development Mechanisms (CDM) projects. Improved health, education and quality of life based on lightning, food and drugs refrigeration, access to communication network, and other benefits of renewables. |
Progress against targets 14 May 2002: Mediterranean initiative contact meeting among potential partners
21 September 2002, Marrakech: ¡§Mediterranean Initiative Kick-off meeting¡¨ ¡V Organization, coordination and official presentation of the partnership 27/28 January 2003, IEA Headquarter, Paris: Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory has organized a technical meeting with partners to develop the next steps concerning the Programme, in order to get a general agreement from all the main project partners on their role, on milestones, specific activities and for developing a work-plan and a timetable 22 September 2003, Rome: Start-up phase to evaluate proposals and implement renewable energy pilot projects in the Mediterranean Region for the generation of green certificates and, in parallel, Certified Emission Reductions (CERs) from CDM projects. January-December 2003: UNEP carried out the annual report on MEDREP Finance with the core objective to investigate different approaches that positively influence finance flows to renewable energies companies and projects, to structure various support mechanisms that help lenders and investors scale up financing to this clean energy sector, and to help establish a regional RET market in the Mediterranean region. 26 January 2004, Tunis: Establishment of the Centre for training, information dissemination, networking and development of pilot projects in the field of renewable energies (MEDREC). The Centre has been establish by the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding among the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory, the Tunisian Ministry for Industry and Energy (TMIE) and the Agence Nationale des Energies Renouvelables (ANER) 12 February 2004, Paris: Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory has organized a technical meeting with partners to finalize their roles and the activities for the immediate implementation of the Programme 25 February 2004, ANER Headquarter, Tunis: First meeting of MEDREC Steering Committee for the appointment of the technical director, the deputies directors and the approval of Centre¡¦s work-plan 2004/05. 21-23 April 2004, Marrakech: Kick-off meeting for the start-up of three projects on renewables included in the framework of MEDREP Programme. Forthcoming events 17-18 May 2004, Tunis: Second meeting of MEDREC Steering Committee 3 June 2004, Bonn: MEDREP side event at the International Renewable Energy Conference 17-19 June 2004, Genoa: MEDREP side event at the 9th Meeting of the Mediterranean Commission on Sustainable Development 27 September 2004, Tunis: Internetional Conference for the official launch of MEDREP at high level with involvement of new country- partners and institutions |
Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
Arrangements for Capacity-Building and Technology Transfer
- Human resources development/training
- Education/building awareness
- Institutional strengthening, including local participation
- Technology transfer/exchange
The project will bring together en expert network of organisations working in public policy and technical areas. This collaboration of public agencies will attend to the task of expanding regional knowledge base and policies to support renewable technologies market.
An important preliminary task will be to collect, compile and publicise resource assessments, potential market sizes and existing capacity building efforts to promote renewable energy project emergence.
This task will be carried out by OME and REC in their respective geographic areas and includes:
Compilation, analysis and synthesis of information on successful frameworks to prepare capacity building training courses and in building the programme.
Preparation of the programme of the training course (capacity building), pulling together existing materials and collecting additional needed information.
Identification of new studies to address the gaps.
Capacity building will also concern CDM. Training will be performed designing CDM-type projects. This would allow the design of CDM MEDREP pilot projects as part of the pilot projects portfolio. In this regard, IEA will play the advisory role to the country-partners to evaluate and advise on appropriate policy frameworks in order to facilitate the diffusion of renewable energies, including TRECs (Tradable Renewable Certificates).
Additionally, IEA, with the support of OME, brings a wealth of knowledge about policy strategies employed by OECD countries to stimulate markets, contributing in the development of a regional policy framework that supports integration of renewable energies in the global energy scheme.
UNEP and ADEME will improve knowledge in the financing sector, investigating the different support mechanisms that can increase financial flows to RE projects in the greater Mediterranean region and helping to structure and manage the implementation of the most promising mechanisms.
Relationship to International Agreements on Sustainable Development
How the partnership contributes to the implementation of Agenda 21, the Programme for the Further Implementation of Agenda 21, and the Johannesburg Plan of Implementation
The millennium Development Goals call for the improvement of energy efficiency, and the dissemination of renewable energies. The Goals also call for effort by developed countries to provide electricity to the two billion people without access to modern energy services. Sustainable strategies to meet development needs are high on the agenda of developing countries and the international community.
The Ninth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-9) stated that energy is central to achieving the goals of sustainable development.
In this regard, MEDREP offers a unique framework to alleviate poverty by providing modern energy services, particularly to rural populations, and to contribute to climate change mitigation and to the improvement of life quality by promoting the suitable markets for renewable energy technologies diffusion.
Taking advantage from the co-Chairmen Report (Italy and United Kingdom) of the G8 Report Energy Task Force, MEDREP states that energy for sustainable development can be achieved by providing universal access to a cost-effective mix of energy resources compatible with different needs and requirements of various countries and regions, making available and facilitating the access to renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies.
MEDREP gives an answer to the requested considerable efforts to ensure adequate and affordable access to energy for present and future generations, in an environmentally sound, socially acceptable and economically viable way, offering the competencies of high specialized Agencies involved as partners and opening markets to private sector investments
Within the framework of Agenda 21, MEDREP promotes renewable energies considering that energy is essential to economic and social development and improved quality of life. Its action is oriented to meet the energy increasing needs overcoming the current unsustainable practices of production, transmission, distribution and consumption. All energy use needs to respect the atmosphere, human health and the environment as a whole.
The Ninth Session of the Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD-9) stated that energy is central to achieving the goals of sustainable development.
In this regard, MEDREP offers a unique framework to alleviate poverty by providing modern energy services, particularly to rural populations, and to contribute to climate change mitigation and to the improvement of life quality by promoting the suitable markets for renewable energy technologies diffusion.
Taking advantage from the co-Chairmen Report (Italy and United Kingdom) of the G8 Report Energy Task Force, MEDREP states that energy for sustainable development can be achieved by providing universal access to a cost-effective mix of energy resources compatible with different needs and requirements of various countries and regions, making available and facilitating the access to renewable energy sources and energy efficient technologies.
MEDREP gives an answer to the requested considerable efforts to ensure adequate and affordable access to energy for present and future generations, in an environmentally sound, socially acceptable and economically viable way, offering the competencies of high specialized Agencies involved as partners and opening markets to private sector investments
Within the framework of Agenda 21, MEDREP promotes renewable energies considering that energy is essential to economic and social development and improved quality of life. Its action is oriented to meet the energy increasing needs overcoming the current unsustainable practices of production, transmission, distribution and consumption. All energy use needs to respect the atmosphere, human health and the environment as a whole.
Coordination and Implementation
Coordination Mechanism of the PartnershipSteering Committee
The Programme will be guided by a Steering Committee, initially composed by one representative from each country-partner and national agencies, ADEME, IEA, ISES ITALY, MEDENER, OME, REC, UNEP and the World Bank. New partners will be invited to take part in the Steering Committee. The Steering Committee, chaired by IMET, will meet twice a year to (i) provide strategic guidance for the Programme¡¦s work-plan and projects, (ii) oversee Secretariat's activities, and (iii) monitor and review the Programme's work-plan and project cycle implementation. The Steering Committee will coordinate the activities of the multilateral partners. Secretariat The Secretariat will be provided by the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory in Rome, Italy, with the scientific and technical support by ISES ITALY and field activities will be coordinated with the assistance of MEDREC, based in Tunis, Tunisia. The Secretariat will provide a day-to-day coordination and support for the Programme and report to the Steering Committee on the Programme's progress. Its main responsibilities are: to facilitate activities/events, and/or provide co-ordination and support to the partners responsible for projects activities; to support work programme partners to secure funding; to encourage membership and serve as a focal point for information pertinent to the members; to undertake activities as directed by the Steering Committee. The Mediterranean Renewable Energy Centre (MEDREC) in Tunis MEDREC is a Centre of excellence for training, information dissemination, networking and development of pilot projects in the field of renewable energies, and represents the operational tool and reference point for the implementation of MEDREP in the region. It has been established in Tunis on January 26, 2004, by an agreement among the Italian Ministry for the Environment and Teritory, the Tunisian Ministry for Industry and Energy (TMIE) and l¡¦Agence Nationale des Energies Renouvelables (ANER). The main focus of the centre is the sector of wind and solar energy; sectors related to mini-hydro, geothermal, biomass and fuel-cells will also be considered. The Tunis Centre is included in the framework of the Global Network on Energy for Sustainable Development, a UNEP facilitated knowlegde network of developing world Centres of Excellence and network partners, renowned for thier activities on energy, development and environment issues. The objectives of the Centre are the deployment of financing sources and mechanisms¡¦ options for the financial support of renewable energies (REs) projects; the development of regional competencies in the field of REs; the dissemination of information in different sectors; the development of pilot projects and transfer of technology in the field of REs; the implementation of the efficiency of REs systems. The Centre is managed by a technical director designated by ANER and assisted by two deputy directors, one designated by IMET and the other by OME. The technical staff will be composed by nine (9) experts: five (5) experts, one for each of the following countries of the Northern African region, namely Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, and Tunisia and two (2) experts from Italy, two (2) experts from UNEP. |
Implementation Mechanism of the Partnership Identification of partners and definition of their roles in the framework of MEDREP
Preparation of pilot project portfolio and identification of industrial partners and local implementing partners Identification of policies and institutional barriers to be overcome for the opening of markets, based on review of feasibility studies for real projects Evaluation on the appropriate policy frameworks in order to facilitate the diffusion of renewable energies, including TRECs (Tradable Renewable Certificates ) Assessment of the emerging market instruments Technical/economic assessment and policy framework review of RE potential in target countries Identification and development of financing sources and mechanisms options for the projects financial support Establishment and implementation of MEDREC (Mediterranean Renewable Energy Centre) activities related to the deployment of financing sources and mechanisms¡¦ options for the financial support of renewable energies (REs) projects; to the development of regional competencies in the field of REs; to the dissemination of information in different sectors; to the development of pilot projects and transfer of technology in the field of REs; to the implementation of the efficiency of REs systems. Regionalization of the Programme considering the involvement of partners from Central Eastern European Countries, including Turkey Capacity building activities Implementation of a public, non-denominative portal (www.medrep.it) to increase MEDREP visibility, to facilitate communication and dissemination of information among stakeholders, to provide a clearing house mechanism facilitating communication with industrial partners and to make available all public documents related to the Initiative. |
Resources
Funding Currently AvailableAmount in US$:
Source(s): Government
IMET (Italian Ministry for the Environment and Territory) allocated an amount of 8 million Euros for renewable projects in the Mediterranean Region IMET allocated for MEDREC (Mediterranean Renewable Energy Centre) a contribution of 205.000 euros for human resources and office rental and 800.000 euros for the development of pilot projects for the year 2004. For the following years, The financial contribution for the development of pilot projects will be allocated annually on the basis of the work programme. Through a Memorandum of Understanding with UNEP, Italy finances a Trust Fund for the Promotion of REs in the Mediterranean Region at a level of 1 million Euros on an annual basis for four years, for the designing and the implementation of the MEDREP Financial Mechanisms |
Non-financial resources availableType(s):
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Funding SoughtRequired Amount in US$: 0
Source(s) already approached:
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Non-financial resources soughtRequirement(s):
Source(s) approached and details:
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Additional Information
Additional Relevant Information
MEDREP Pilot Projects - Countries where partnership is being implemented:
Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco
At present, an enlargement of the area benefiting of MEDREP Pilot Projects to all the other Countries of the Northern African region and other Mediterranean Countries is being implemented and the involvement of the other Mediterranean Country-partners will start in the first half of 2005.
Egypt, Algeria, Tunisia, Morocco
At present, an enlargement of the area benefiting of MEDREP Pilot Projects to all the other Countries of the Northern African region and other Mediterranean Countries is being implemented and the involvement of the other Mediterranean Country-partners will start in the first half of 2005.