4th ARE Energy Access Investment Forum concluded in Catania, Italy

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) gathered over 200 participants for the 4th edition of the ARE Energy Access Investment Forum, the key milestone event in spring where the clean energy off-grid sector gathers together. This year’s theme was ‘Integrating Remote Communities into Economies’.

The ARE Energy Access Investment Conference Day on 13 March 2018 provided participants with a comprehensive view of the clean-energy sector policy framework and key industry trends to foster the integration of remote communities into emerging economies around the world. The event, including the European Commission’s Workshop on the Energy Digital Nexus, was an opportunity for investors, project developers, and other stakeholders to learn more about upcoming support schemes, innovative products and new business models to accelerate rural electrification and advance the market for decentralized renewable energies.
The presence of high-level representatives from developing organisations active in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, as well as from the private sector, financing bodies and technology providers allowed key players involved in the off-grid sector to engage in networking activities. Leaders called for a strategic and holistic approach to develop sustainable business models in the off-grid sector. A key topic was the need to intensify multilateral efforts to allow for the deployment of hybridized solutions such as mini-grids and to break down regulatory, technical and local barriers. In addition, cross-sectoral partnerships with the agricultural, water and digital sector should be privileged where synergies are possible.
The Business Matchmaking Day on 14 March 2018 featured a series of panel discussions with selected DFIs and private sector representatives on off-grid data collection and investment, project financing tools and new initiatives, including a presentation on the deployment of renewable energy tender programmes in Africa. In the afternoon, 135 participants took part in more than 450 B2B meetings where participants had the chance to meet with potential business partners.

“The event’s aim was to bridge the communication gap and catalyze new patterns of collaboration between the main actors in the off-grid and renewable energy sector, which was successfully achieved. An important role was assigned to the business matchmaking session that allowed fruitful partnerships to evolve and thrive at a common mission,” said Ana Marin, business development manager who represented DevelopmentAid at the forum.

The ARE Energy Access Investment Forum was organised in partnership with Renewable Energy Solutions for the Mediterranean and Africa (RES4MED&Africa) and the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP). The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is an international business association with the aim to promote a sustainable decentralized renewable energy industry for the 21st century, activating markets for affordable energy services, and creating local jobs and inclusive economies.