The EU announces new support for sustainable energy for Africa

BRUSSELS, Kingdom of Belgium, February 13, 2014/African Press Organization (APO)/ -- The European Commission will provide €5 million in new funding to accelerate the use of renewable energy in Africa, meet future energy needs and increase access to modern and sustainable energy services on the continent, through the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP).

The funding will be announced at the occasion of the Second High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP), which takes place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, between 11th and 13th February. Sub Saharan Africa has the lowest electrification rate in the world, and more than 650 million people rely on traditional biomass for heating and cooking. This is why the EU has set itself the goal to help developing countries provide 500 million people with access to sustainable energy services by 2030, as part of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4ALL) led by the United Nations. EU Commissioner for Development said: "Energy is fundamental to development. No energy means no sustainable economic growth, no sustainable agriculture, no quality healthcare; no decent education. In short, no energy means no development."