Policymakers Around the Globe Must Push Renewable Energy
Washington, 05.03.2008 - America.gov
Technologies are available, but focus on solutions is missing, experts say.
Policymakers worldwide must use tested solutions more aggressively to develop and boost the adoption of renewable energy technologies, a report prepared by the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership says.
The report's main conclusions, based on consultations with government officials and business and nongovernmental groups around the world, were delivered to participants from more than 80 countries attending the March 3-6 Washington International Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC).
Affordable renewable technologies, which already are available, can help countries improve social and economic conditions and balance their energy demand in a sustainable manner, according to the report.
Amy Kean, the group’s regional manager for the Asia-Pacific region, said most barriers to the wider adoption of renewables have been known for some time. They include a lack of reliable policies and regulatory measures to promote renewables, a lack of suitable finance and business models for long-term investment in such technologies, a preponderance of policies favorable toward fossil fuels and weak awareness of potential returns from renewable projects among investors.
What has been missing, Kean said at a review session, is a sufficient focus on solutions to these problems.
John French, the group’s network director, told America.gov that unfocused regional and national efforts make it more difficult for developers and utilities to plan the expansion of renewable energy and for investors to commit money to renewable projects.
Many solutions have been tested, French said, but they need to be shared and applied more broadly.
Consistent long-term policies, more favorable regulatory frameworks, a level playing field for all forms of energy, wider and deeper awareness of environmental and financial benefits of renewable projects and an upgrade of skills necessary to execute those projects are among solutions recommended by the group’s report.
Although these recommendations are valid for all regions, U.S., Irish and Norwegian officials said that specific regional, national and local efforts must be based on local conditions, capabilities and needs.
For example, Asian countries with growing biofuel industries see biofuel regional standards, source material assessments and an independent certification process as priorities.
South Africa countries look at regional energy cooperation and coordination as an essential element of their strategies.
Both Asian and African countries with significant areas of rural poverty see renewables as a great opportunity. Wind, solar, geothermal and biomass power can help diversify and stabilize rural economies as farmers become energy producers, they say. But less developed countries also say that only reliable and simplified renewal technologies can be adopted in rural and other poor areas on a broader scale.
The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership, which includes 38 national governments as well as businesses, industry and nongovernmental groups and financiers, works to facilitate renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in developing and transition countries. Since its establishment in 2004, it has supported more than 100 projects in 40 countries.
The full text (PDF, 65 pages) of the report and more information on the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership are available on the organization's Web site.