Arab States and Sustainable Energy Capabilities

CAIRO - May 20, 2013 - PRLog -- Arab States and Sustainable Energy Capabilities:  Brief Profiles on Thirteen Countries’ Promising Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Markets

Cairo, Egypt – 21st May, 2013 - The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) has published brief studies on its member states’ renewable energy and energy efficiency market. RCREEE’s thirteen Arab member states were ranked on fixed dimensions that include investments, institutional capacity, electricity pricing, future targets, and policies. The country profiles also analyze current and planned renewable energy projects.  The profiles provide a simple tool for policy makers, researchers, and investors to know more about Arab states’ readiness in the field. RCREEE will launch the profiles at the Arab Energy Efficiency Day to be held in 21st May in Cairo.

The country profiles are based on the year 2012 data while tracking historical trends and future targets projection.  They cover Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen. Combining infographics and analysis, the profiles provide short – yet comprehensive- insights on each state’s energy market characteristics, energy generation and consumption, imports and exports, , electricity prices, and the extent to which energy from renewable resources are integrated with the national grid.

Reviewing multiple country profiles, benchmarking and comparison opportunities arise for policy makers, academic researchers, public and private investors, energy experts, and consumers to allocate strengths and areas for improvements. The below insights represent some of much useful information:

Insights on Renewable Energy

·         Jordan and Tunisia are among the best in terms of instituting financial incentives for investors and reducing the subsidies on conventional fuels.

·         Morocco leads the region with the lowest subsidies for conventional fuel and the biggest share of wind energy in its generation mix.

·         Jordan and Palestine have an opportunity to capitalize on their progressing regulatory framework.

·         Morocco and Algeria aim for 42% and 40% share of energy from renewable resources by 2020 and 2030 respectively.

·         Egypt leads the region’s wind market with a current 550MW capacity and 11 more new projects in pipeline. Egypt's first private wind farm is currently under construction.

·         Libya demonstrates strong commitment for pursuit of renewable energy. The first 60 MW wind farm in Darnah and 14 MW PV plant in Al-Jofra are already under construction.

·         Bahrain has the most liberalized electricity market with 80% of power produced by independent private producers.

·         Sudan plans to be less-dependent on hydroelectricity.

·         Yemen plans to have 28.2% share of renewable energy from geothermal resources by 2025.

·         Palestine has the highest rate of solar water heaters diffusion in the region. Almost 70% of households in Palestine are equipped with Solar Water Heaters.

Insights on Energy Efficiency

·         Tunisia leads the region with the most progressive regulatory framework for energy efficiency.

·         During 2011-2012, Lebanon, Palestine, Egypt and Sudan announced their National Energy Efficiency Action plans.

·         Libya and Yemen need to continue enhancing their regulatory framework, implementation capacity, and electricity pricing.

·         Morocco witnesses positive impact of its progressive electricity pricing system.

·         Lebanon offers attractive financial incentives for investments in energy efficiency projects.

·         Algeria has a comprehensive regulatory framework, but needs to enhance its implementation capacity.

·         Sudan aims to achieve 3349 GWh of energy savings by improving network losses.

“For the first time, the base for a Pan-Arab research and analysis framework that is dedicated to renewable energy and energy efficiency environment is available. It is our first step in launching the first complete Index on the same field. The Index will provide fresh and reliable repository for comparative analysis and insights for all of our stakeholders in our member states.” Said Dr. Tareq Emtairah, Executive Director, RCREEE.

About the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) is an independent not-for-profit regional organization which aims to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in the Arab region. RCREEE teams with regional governments and global organizations to initiate and lead clean energy policy dialogues, strategies, technologies and capacity development in order to increase Arab states’ share of tomorrow’s energy.

For more information about RCREEE, please visit www.rcreee.org.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Emad Abou-Elgheit

Communications Manager

Tel: +20 2 241 54755 (Ext: 120)

emad.abouelgheit@rcreee.org