The Institute of Atmospheric Pollution of the Italian National Research Council, Cnr-Iia, and RES4Africa Foundation, the European foundation based in Rome involved since 2012 in promoting the use of renewable energy in Africa, have launched a programme of activities aimed at international cooperation within the region.
The research and the scientific technological support of Cnr-Iia focused on atmospheric pollution, thanks to the presence of its researchers within excellent national and international networks, is combined with the activities carried out by RES4Africa, which is focused on the promotion of renewable energy solutions in Africa and the spread of energy efficiency measures, as well as the creation of an enabling environment for investments throughout the whole continent, from the Mediterranean to the sub-Saharan area and South Africa.
The two institutions have signed a memorandum of understanding which provides an outline for the conduct of the joint activities for the distribution and efficient integration of renewables and the reduction of pollutants in emissions and in ambient air. This activity is supported by studies and research activities in the renewable energy market of the region and by the creation of a network of expert and carefully trained professionals.
The experience begins with an international partnership that involves institutions from various European countries in addition to Italy (precisely with Cnr-Iia and RES4Africa together with ESI Spa, IdromeccanicaLucchiniSpa, OpeneconomicsSrl, EngreenSrl), such as France (Akuo Energy Sas, CEA), Germany (FerntechGmbh) and Spain (Comillas), and for the African region Tunisia (Comete International), Burkina Faso (2ie) and Mali (Amader, SaKougne, CediamSa).
The collaboration starts with the participation of the Horizon programme "Accelerating the green transition and energy access partnership with Africa" through the WE4I project which aims to validate technical and financial sustainability of an innovative and scalable business-for-impact model for green mini-grids projects, based on the Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach. The goal is to boost universal access to energy (electricity and heating), to promote energy efficiency of the agri-food value chain and to drive the transition towards a sustainable economic model by exploiting the circular economy potential. This will contribute to the improvement of the population's socio-economic situation (also through productive use of energy and job creation), environmental and health benefits, while strengthening EU/Africa partnership in the RE landscape.
Contact
Antonella Siliotto
Communications Manager
RES4Africa Foundation
+39 348 8537294
