Norway announces two million dollars in support for the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

At the 49th Pacific Islands Forum held in Nauru, Norway announced a US$2m commitment to support the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) for the recently created Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE).

Nikolai Astrup, Norway’s Minister of International Development, reconfirmed “the commitment of the Government of Norway to support the Pacific leaders in their aspirations towards the endorsed 100% renewable energy vision for the Pacific island region,” and highlighted “the importance of regional cooperation to accelerate the climate and energy transformation in the Pacific and globally”.

The Pacific leaders in attendance applauded Norway for the significant contribution to the Boe Declaration, which recognizes climate change as the single greatest threat to the livelihood, security and well-being of Pacific people.

“The additional support will enable us to break-even and expand the number of private-sector flagship programmes for the well-being of Pacific people,” said Colin Tukuitonga, Director General of the Pacific Community (SPC). “This is an encouraging message to the Pacific Ministers of Energy and their upcoming meeting in August 2019.”

In his statement, Stein Hansen, Director and Representative of the UNIDO Regional Office in Bangkok, welcomed the Norwegian contribution to the Centre and highlighted its importance to promote adapted energy solutions in key island sectors – such as agriculture, fishery, food-processing, tourism – and energy entrepreneurship and innovation.

PCREEE was established in 2017 under the umbrella of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres with support from UNIDO, SPC, SIDS DOCK and the Government of Austria. The Centre promotes regional activities in the areas of policy, qualification, knowledge, investment and entrepreneurship.

Original source: UNIDO
Published on 6 September 2018