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SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) presents the first SADC Industrial Energy Efficiency Conference on "Stimulating Industrial Competitiveness through Energy Efficiency & Innovation in the SADC Region in Windhoek 16-17 May 201

16.05.2019
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The SADC Industrial Energy Efficiency Conference is currently being hosted by the Government of Namibia and organized by SACREEE in partnership with the SADC Secretariat, the United Nations Development Organization (UNIDO), the Austrian Development Cooperation and with financial support of the European Union.  In her statement, Dr. Claudia Fischer, Chargé d' Affaires of the EU Delegation in Namibia said the EU is committed to supporting Sustainable Energy, both inside and outside of the EU. She said inside the EU, as part of our "Climate Change Policy"  the EU have set a binding target of 20% final energy consumption from renewable sources by 2020. And the Energy Efficiency Directive has introduced binding measures to help the EU reach a 30% energy efficiency target.  She furthermore said the EU is of the view that energy is the sector on which SADC can depend in coming years and serves as a lever for development; as a pole attracting investment and a vehicle to create numerous jobs.

On this basis, the EU has committed resources to assist the SADC Industrial Energy Efficiency Initiative. Furthermore the EU also contributes towards the realization of the SADC Industrialization Strategy and Roadmap (2015-2063) SACREEE could play a key role in assisting the countries to set their own national targets and in raising awareness on energy efficient technologies and policies. A first important step was the development of the SADC Industrial Energy Efficiency Programme (SIEEP) by SACREEE in 2018, also with support of the EU, Ms. Fischer said.  This Conference is part of the implementation of the mentioned programme.  The SIEEP is focused on: actions that will provide an enabling environment; projects that will demonstrate energy savings and the co-benefits of reduced cost of doing business, greenhouse gas emissions and job creation.

 

 

In his keynote address the Minister of Mines and Energy Tom Alweendo said energy is a major barrier as well as a key enabler for industrial competitiveness of the SADC region. He said the current droughts, floods and cyclones affecting the region makes it critical to address climate change through energy efficiency actions.  He thanked partners and in particular the EU for their support to SADC's Industrial Energy Efficiency Programme, saying "With support of the EU and partners SACREEE can deliver on its mandate". 

Also at the Conference, a Namibian, Ms. Marita Walther, MD of suncycles in Namibia received the prestigious environmental  Energy Globe Award for her project on solar bikes.

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Summits
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Climate, Environment & Energy
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Namibia