Brussels, 08/09/2008 (Agence Europe) - High-level discussions on the implementation of the Africa-EU energy partnership took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, on Monday 8 September, to establish the Africa-EU Energy Partnership as part of the EU-Africa Joint Strategy. Dr. Elham Mahmoud Ahmed Ibrahim, African Union Commissioner for Infrastructure and Energy, Louis Michel, European Commissioner for Development and Humanitarian Aid and Andris Piebalgs, European Commissioner for Energy, signed a “Joint statement on the implementation of the first Action Plan of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership” and agreed on actions to be taken in order to speed up the implementation of the partnership.
The joint statement stressed the urgent need to promote electrification in Africa and agreed to launch the process for drawing up an Electricity Master-Plan for Africa as soon as possible. They also agreed to further define the Capacity Building Programme to support the African Power Pools and AFUR (African Forum or Utility Regulators) which will be financed under the Energy Facility (€10 million technical assistance was agreed to Power Pools and AFUR).
It was agreed, too, to promote energy interconnections in Africa and between Africa and the EU, draw up a road map for the launch and implementation of a renewable energy cooperation programme, support the preparation of country implementation plans and participation of oil and gas producing countries in the Global Gas Flaring Reduction partnership, a World Bank initiative in which the EU has been involved since May 2008 and of which it is a member of the steering committee. It also stressed the importance of measures in the area of energy efficiency and energy savings.
The joint statement calls on the European countries and the private sector to further release resources for investment in the energy sector both in the supply and demand sides. The European side said that the European Commission was planning to replenish the Energy Facility Programme and provide an additional contribution to the EU-Africa Infrastructure Partnership and its Trust Fund through the 10th EDF Intra-ACP programme and in addition to national and regional programmes.
The Commission of the AU confirmed its willingness to take forward the implementation of the €55m EC support programme for the period 2007-2011, in order to further improve its expertise in the energy sector, launch technical studies, raise awareness and play an effective role as a motor for the active participation of African regional, national authorities and stakeholders to the Africa-EU energy partnership.
The “Joint Statement on the implementation of the first Action Plan of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership” will be officially endorsed during the AU-EU College to College meeting due to take place in Brussels on 1 October. (O.L./transl.rt)