BERLIN--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Starting February political and business decision-makers from Mozambique will be able to attend a programme to enhance their knowledge about the use of renewable energies for rural electrification. The courses will be conducted by the Renewables Academy (RENAC), based in Berlin, Germany, as part of the international project TREE (Transfer Renewable Energy & Efficiency). TREE is being sponsored by the German Federal Ministry of Economics as part of the “renewables - Made in Germany” initiative. The initiative forms part of the German Government's commitment to contribute to climate protection through the promotion of renewable energy technology internationally.
A first series of seminars will be held in Maputo from 18 – 22 February 2013 and are supported by the GIZ. Also the Ministry of Energy of Mozambique welcomes the TREE programme: "Renewable energy technologies can contribute to economic growth in Mozambique. However, for sustainable growth a suitable political framework is required. Capacity building measures within the TREE project are instrumental in supporting the development of renewables through crucial knowledge. Therefore projects such as TREE deserve to be fostered.", says Mr. Antonio Saide, National Director of New and Renewable Energy under the Ministry of Energy.
In terms of its energy infrastructure, Mozambique is currently facing the special challenge of expanding the coverage of its power infrastructure and providing access to electricity. A recent study by IRENA showed that the degree of electrification still lies below 32%. Renewable energies can make an important contribution here. The aim of the seminars, forming part of the TREE program in Mozambique, is to provide the relevant authorities with a grounded understanding of hybrid technologies for rural electrification, and to provide them with the expertise to be able to establish suitable conditions for project funding. A focus will also be placed on cost calculations, and to the design of customized solutions for rural areas. To prepare for the seminars, participants will be able to participate in RENAC’s online training. They will also be able to travel to Germany for further training in RENAC’s Renewable Energy Training Center in Berlin during the summer.
The international TREE project, launched by RENAC, has been running since 2008. To date, policy makers and business participants from 51 countries across the world have undertaken training as part of the programme. South Africa has been a partner country in the project since 2011.
RENAC, an international provider of capacity building services and specialized in the green energy sector, has fostered its engagement in the Mozambican education sector for renewable energies already in November last year. This was when Mr. Berthold Breid, CEO of RENAC met representatives from the Mozambican Ministry of Energy and FUNAE to discuss the relevance of renewable energy education for the country.
Further Information: www.tree-project.de, www.renac.de