The
United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) and Global
Environmental Facility (GEF) yesterday validated the renewable energy
investment strategy to mitigate the impact of climate change.
This
is the 6th replenishment cycle to implement a project in climate change focal
area.
The
project seeks to personalise the sustainable energy for all (SE4ALL) action
agenda, which was designed to establish a national platform to foster dialogue
on energy related nexus issues.
It
is also to promote the use of energy efficient appliances and also the quality
assurance and enhancing capacities for market players and enablers.
Speaking
at the opening ceremony held at the Kairaba Beach Hotel, Alois Mhlanga of
UNIDO, said it was a great privilege for them to be the partner of choice of
the government of The Gambia, through the Ministry of Petroleum and Energy and
other stakeholders to deliver several projects promoting the use and integration
of RE in productive sectors supported by GEF.
He
explained that the validation was part of efforts under the UNIDO/GEF 4 project
entitled ‘promoting renewable energy based mini grids for productive uses in
rural areas’ to promote the scaling up of investment in renewable energy in The
Gambia.
According
to him, this was the last activities for the UNIDO/GEF 4 project, which has
been highly successful.
He
stated that the achievements of the GEF 4 project are testimony of the fact
that when commitment, leadership and funding are available, projects that have
a real impact across the country are possible.
Mr
Mhlanga remarked that the renewable energy investment strategy for The Gambia
builds on extensive analysis to identify the sectors with the highest market
potential and livelihood of private sector investments as well as promising
funding sources for the RE projects.
He
expressed appreciation to the Ministry of Power and Energy for their leadership
and support on the project and to ECREEE for developing the draft strategy.
On
his part, Omar Bah, a representative from the National Environment Agency
(NEA), said the main objective of the workshop was to gain support and
commitment of the stakeholders in The Gambia on the adoption of renewable
energy strategies.
He
remarked that NEA in collaboration with stakeholders has over the years been
implementing GEF funded projects in the area of renewable energy, climate
change biodiversity and land degradation.
“Renewable
energy resources appear to be the one of the most efficient and effective
solutions,” he opined.
He
acknowledged the support of national and international partners in the spirit
of cooperation and commitment for working with The Gambia government in trying
to meet their obligation towards mitigating effects of highly polluting energy
sources such as the use of Heavy Fuel Oils (HFOs) in power generation.
Also speaking on the occasion, Momodou O.
Njie, permanent secretary at the Ministry of Energy, said the availability of
adequate, reliable, affordable and sustainable supply of energy in modern
energy services was crucial for the socioeconomic development of the country.
He
said the government over the years has been exploring ways and means to reduce
the country’s high dependency on petroleum products for power generation.
He
assured UNIDO/GEF and ECREEE of collaboration at all times and thanked them for
the valuable support they have been giving to The Gambia.
“We assure them of The Gambia support and
collaboration at all times and hope we continue to work together to tackle the
challenges of access to modern energy services and climate change,” he added.
