New partnership: AusAID joins REEEP to green the Pacific

Clean Energy Council
3 June 2009

AusAID has for the first time partnered with REEEP to expand renewable energy use and energy efficiency in the Pacific region. The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP), in partnership with AusAID, will fund new projects in the Pacific to help kick-start the uptake of renewables and energy efficiency in emerging markets.

REEEP recently selected four organisations with an additional three wait listed to receive funding for innovative sustainable energy projects in the Pacific. Under a similar scheme, REEEP recently completed implementation of a unique micro finance project which enabled Solomon Islanders to barter crops for solar panels, providing much needed light to remote rural communities.

"Projects like this create business opportunities for local industry while significantly reducing the countries' vulnerability from dependence on imported fossil fuels", said Eva Oberender, Regional Director South East Asia Pacific REEEP.

"REEEP funding provides the opportunity to test new clean energy or energy efficiency models that then can be applied on a larger scale" said Chris Andrew, CEO Greenlight Technology Group. Greenlight Technology is one of the Australian companies whose innovative idea has been chosen for application in the Pacific region.

"REEEP helps create business development for those who have great ideas to reduce our carbon footprint but wouldn't otherwise be able to take action" Mr Andrew said.

"In allocating the funding, we were specifically looking for fresh approaches to accelerate clean energy market development – projects that can be scaled up and replicated in other regions of the world. Greenlight Technology's sectoral application across the tourism industry will do just that by enabling smarter energy use and reducing greenhouse gas emissions", explained Ms Oberender.

"The Greenlight Technology project will have the positive side effect of enabling communities to save large amounts of money off their electricity bills" she added.

Click here for more information on selected projects, such as a microfinance scheme with the Foundation for Development Cooperation. REEEP will continue to work with the Australian Government to assist Pacific communities replace fossil fuels with renewable energy and support energy efficiency through appropriate policies and financing mechanisms.