RCREEE and African Renewable Energy Imitative (AREI) organize the first regional technical platform meeting

August 21, 2019- Cairo, Egypt: To support the ongoing effort in North Africa for the deployment of large-scale renewable energy, RCREEE cooperates with the African Renewable Energy Imitative (AREI) organizing a regional Technical Platform meeting on 21 - 22 August 2019 in Cairo, Egypt. 

RCREEE Executive Director Dr. Ahmed Badr delivered an opening remark where he expressed RCREEEE pleasure in joining forces with AREI “At RCREEE, we strongly believe in the importance of regional collaboration arising from our joint need to enhance energy access in the African continent. Together we can further support African countries that have not yet taken full advantage of the cooperation opportunities in terms of market development and promotion of new economic
opportunities contributing to sustainable growth and job creation. “

The objective of the meeting is to initiate technical discussions with a view to address some of the challenges described and highlighted during the first AREI Regional Consultation held in October 2018 in Cairo.  The topics include amongst others, the grid investment strategies and socio-economic value capture with focus on skills development. A training session on the use of the new AREI Portal will also be provided.

The platform meeting attracted a wide audience from different backgrounds and profiles. Attendees included representatives of Ministries of Energy, representatives of electricity utilities, representatives of national regulatory bodies for the energy or electricity sector and private sector companies.

In addition, sub-regional institutions and civil society and associations representatives joined the meeting

Building upon the enriching sessions and discussions, RCREEE and AREI aim to

• Better understanding of the key elements to be factored when drafting strategies for investing in the grids
• Better understanding of the socio-economic value and benefit creation opportunities from the region through the large-scale deployment of renewables as well as the skills development requirements

The 2-day agenda covers a wide range of topics including renewable energy investments in north Africa, private participation in the renewable energy sector, the socio-economic footprint of the energy transition and leveraging local capacity and building skills.