BAKU, Azerbaijan, Jan. 7
By Nargiz Sadikhova - Trend:
EU intends to introduce energy efficiency certifications in Micro Small Medium Enterprises across different sectors in Kazakhstan and Central Asia, EU Delegation to Kazakhstan told Trend.
The delegation representative said that the EU is the larger contributor to the EBRD’s investment projects in the area of sustainable and renewable energy, (e.g.: more than 598 MW of financed solar generation capacity through Kazakhstan Renewables Framework).
"The EU together with its European Financing Institutions pursues a strong engagement on energy efficiency and refurbishment of outdated energy supply infrastructure. For example, thanks to the EU contribution of 45.6 million euros the EU managed to leverage 594.5 million euros in private investments in Central Asia countries’ energy sectors," the official said.
The official added that EU-supported "Central Asia-South Asia connectivity" project provides a loan of 140 million euros to develop electricity interconnections within Central Asia.
"It is a part of an important regional WB-led electricity scheme boosting sustainable regional trade in clean hydroelectricity,’ the official added.
The EU enhances its financial support though providing tailored technical assistance and capitalizing on the existing linkages with such areas as water or food) and experience in other sub-regions, such as EU neighborhood, the representative noted.
"Examples of such projects include the ‘Water-Food-Energy Nexus’, EU-Central Asia Water, Environment and Climate Change Cooperation (WECOOP), the ‘Central Asia Water and Energy Programme’ (CAWEP), and Nexus," the official said.
Starting from 2021, the representative noted, the EU will implement a new regional ‘EU Support to Sustainable Energy Connectivity in Central Asia’ (SECCA).
"Capitalising on the achievements of previous 5 years long EU-funded program aiming at improving energy statistics and policy dialogue, SECCA will promote a more sustainable energy mix using the best EU practices, strengthen public capacity in the energy sector and boost regional cooperation, eventually setting the seed for energy connectivity," the official explained.
"The EU extended to Central Asia a global initiative ‘SWITCH’, through which the EU intends to introduce energy efficiency certifications in Micro Small Medium Enterprises across different sectors in Kazakhstan and Central Asia," the official said.
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