Sustainable Energy for All
Opening of the 2011 Vienna Energy Forum, 21-23 June, at the Vienna Hofburg
Vienna, 21 June 2011 – In many developing and emerging countries energy poverty prevails. One third of the world’s population has no access to reliable energy sources and services. According to estimates by the International Energy Agency (IEA) energy requirements will increase 60 percent by 2030. Where should this energy come from and what should it look like? Some 1,000 international energy experts, heads of government, ministers and representatives of non-governmental organisations and business will discuss these questions at the Vienna Hofburg from 21 to 23 June, 2011. “Alternative energy concepts based on renewable energy sources and incentives for an intelligent, efficient and reasonable use of energy are clear beacons of hope in view of increasing energy requirements in China, India, and the coastal regions of West and East Africa,” said Foreign Minister Michael Spindelegger at a reception given at the beginning of the conference.
Secretary General for Foreign Affairs Johannes Kyrle emphasised in his opening statement: “Innovative renewable energy solutions are more in demand than ever. The Austrian Development Cooperation programme supports the use of clean technologies in developing and emerging countries – for a better global climate, economic prosperity and environmentally friendly, sustainable development.”
The Vienna Energy Forum will also present the results of the Global Energy Assessment (GEA). This international research project is providing practical guidance to political and economic leaders in sustainable planning with regard to social, ecological and economic aspects of the energy sector. “The connection between energy services and the fight against poverty within the meaning of the Millennium Development Goals are very well explained by GEA,” said the Secretary General, commenting on the research project, which was funded by Austrian Development Cooperation.
The Austrian Development Cooperation programme supports Cape Verde and the entire Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) in generating renewable energy and increasing energy efficiency by establishing a Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE) in Praia, the capital of the Cape Verde archipelago. By 2012, one quarter of Cape Verdes’ energy requirements are to be met by locally produced, renewable energy, helping to free the country from its dependence on diesel oil imports.
The Energy and Environmental Partnership (EEP) in 16 countries of Central America and of southern and eastern Africa facilitates access to modern, reliable and affordable energy services. Together with Finland, the Austrian Development Cooperation programme supports studies as well as pilot projects with local partners aimed at poverty reduction and marginal groups of society.
In the Black Sea Region the Austrian Development Bank (OeEB) participates in the international funding of the construction and renovation of transmission lines and transformer stations in Georgia within the framework of the Black Sea Energy Association Project. Austria is providing 20 million euros for an infrastructure project to ensure that Georgia will be able to supply its neighbouring states with clean power from hydropower plants in the future.
For further information, contact:
Federal Ministry for European
and International Affairs
Press Department
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E-mail: abti3(at)bmeia.gv.at
