EU supports sustainable management of energy in Pacific region
JOINT PRESS STATEMENT (12/08)
13th March 2008 EU SUPPORTS SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT OF ENERGY RESOURCES IN THE PACIFIC REGION Pacific ACP States power utilities will soon benefit from a new project to build capacity in energy resource management in the region. The European Union (EU) funded Capacity Support for Sustainable Management of Energy Resources in the Pacific Region project will be implemented by the Pacific Power Association (PPA) over the next four years. The EU funding has been made available under its Intra-ACP budget line. A signing ceremony held today at the Pacific Islands Forum Secretariat (PIFS) in Suva, committed € 1.2 million (F$ 2.75 million) in grants for the implementation of the project. Head of Operations for the Delegation of the European Commission for the Pacific, Mr Robert De Raeve, and the PIFS Deputy Regional Authorising Officer for the Pacific, Ms. Patricia Sachs-Cornish co-signed the Financing Agreement. Ms Sachs-Cornish said: “The overall objective of the project is to improve services and enhance the efficient use of energy without power utilities in the Pacific experiencing power losses.” “An important dimension of the project is its focus on renewable energy which will ensure the provision of electrification in rural areas to provide opportunities for people to participate in development and address poverty alleviation,” she said. On behalf of the European Commission, Mr De Raeve highlighted the importance of the project in contributing towards the attainment of the Millennium Development Goals by reducing poverty through improved regional co-operation and targeted action for the poor in the energy sector. He reaffirmed the EU’s close cooperation with the Pacific Islands Forum saying: “It is through our shared vision of the Pacific, as defined in the Pacific Plan and in the EU's strategy for the Pacific, that we are working towards the challenging goal of achieving sustainable management of natural resources of the Pacific. It is in this context that we are committed to maintain a close cooperation with the Pacific region in the areas of renewable energy and energy efficiency.” ENDS. For more information please contact: Mr Evangelos Petratos or Ms Abigail Camilleri EC Delegation, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 331 36 33, Ms Debbie Singh, Media Consultant, EC Delegation, Suva, Fiji. Tel: (679) 994 36 78, Mr George Beck, Forum Secretariat, Suva, phone (679) 331 2600 13 March 2008 |
2008