Ministers of Energy and Transport adopt the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE)

The Second Meeting of Pacific Ministers of Energy and Transport, held from 2 to 4 April 2014, in Nadi, Fiji, endorsed the project document for the establishment of the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE). The decision was in response to the official request of the Sustainable Energy Island Initiative (SIDS DOCK) by UNIDO, to assist the small island developing states in the Caribbean, Pacific, Indian Ocean and Africa in the establishment of regional sustainable energy centers.

During the last few months a consultative preparatory process was undertaken which included the development of a needs assessment and the development of a project document on the technical and institutional design of the center. The preparatory process was executed by UNIDO in close partnership with the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC) and financial support of the Government of Austria. The structure of the centre was reviewed and validated successfully by the Ministries of Energy during a regional workshop held from 12 to 13 March 2014 in Nadi, Fiji. The Ministers took the decision to determine the host organization for PCREEE, through a competitive selection process.

The creation of the center is fully in line with the Majuro Declaration for Climate Leadership adopted by the Leaders of the Pacific Islands Forum on 5 September 2013, the objectives of the Sustainable Energy For All Initiative (SE4ALL) and the SIDS DOCK Goal of 25-50-25. Under the umbrella of the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific (FAESP) the centre will promote inclusive and sustainable renewable energy and energy efficiency industries and markets in Pacific Islands and Territories (PICTs) such as Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, Kiribati, Nauru, New Zealand, Niue, Palau, Papua New Guinea, Republic of Marshall Islands, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu. Renewable energy and energy efficiency are important tools to address the dependence of many PICTs on expensive diesel and heavy fuel imports. In close cooperation with the existing regional organizations, PCREEE will fill the regional gaps regarding capacity development, knowledge management, awareness raising and the promotion of local sustainable energy businesses and industry.

In parallel, a preparatory process for the the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE) has been launched. ECREEE was already nominated as centre of excellence for SIDS DOCK activities in African islands. Mr. Mahama Kappiah, Executive Director of ECREEE, expressing his profound gratitude and support for the new centre in the Pacific, said “It is an honor that ECREEE will serve as a model for other regions. The new center will be an important contribution to build up a global network of regional sustainable energy centers”.