03/11/2015 (Agence Europe) - EBRD loan of $250 million for renewables in North Africa and Middle East. The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) launched a US$250 million (€228 million) financing programme for private sector renewable energy generation in Egypt, Jordan, Morocco and Tunisia, countries where energy remains overwhelmingly supplied through imports of hydrocarbons. Most of the produced energy will be sold directly to private sector consumers, such as cement companies and hotel groups. The Moroccan 120 MW Khalladi wind farm project is expected to be the first supported by the new programme, with signing likely in the near future, says the EBRD. In all, the projects supported in the four countries could result in direct CO2 reductions of at least 700,000 tons per year. A technical assistance programme of over US$1 million, funded by the EU's Neighbourhood Investment Facility, will support project preparation and analysis. (EH)