African Renewable Energy Initiative Eyes 300 Gigawatts Renewable Energy by 2030

ADDIS ABABA (ENA)–The African Renewable Energy Initiative Executive (AREI) Committee has adopted a new document that supports the initiative to succeed in its attempt to provide 300 gigawatts renewable energy by 2030.

The initiative, which envisions delivering 1 gigawatt by 2020, will start five projects in all five regions of the continent in five years, it was learned.

The newly adopted document comprises different methods and systems that enable the initiative to attain its goal.

It was indicated at the executive committee meeting that the document will help African countries in their effort to support the low-carbon development strategies by accelerating renewable energy deployment.

● The Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) is a transformative, Africa-owned and Africa-led inclusive effort to accelerate and scale up the harnessing of the continent’s huge renewable energy potential. Under the mandate of the African Union, and endorsed by African Heads of State and Government on Climate Change (CAHOSCC), the Initiative is set to achieve at least 10 GW of new and additional renewable energy generation capacity by 2020, and mobilize the African potential to generate at least 300 GW by 2030.

● The AREI is firmly anchored in the context of sustainable development and climate change. It shows how low to zero carbon development strategies can be achieved in African countries through climate finance and means of implementation according to the principles of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). It recognizes the critical importance of rapid expansion of energy access for enhanced well-being, economic development and the fulfillment of all Sustainable Development Goals.

The board of directors meeting attended by President Uhuru Kenyatta of the Republic of Kenya, President Alpha Condé of the Republic of Guinea, and President Hage Geingob of the Republic of Namibia, has agreed to take prioritized and selected projects on the renewable energy to successfully achieve the adopted documents.

The executive committee of African Renewable Energy Initiative has also agreed to create a common understanding on how to use a financed budget for the renewable energy.

Source: ENA and AREI