The search for renewable sources of energy (RES) has intensified.
It was only a few months ago that representatives of the wealthiest and most industrialised countries of the world met to discuss the issue of reducing greenhouse gases, which are the main cause of global warming.
EU member states unanimously agreed on the need to improve Europe’s reliance on RES and to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. A set of policies have been agreed to improve performance as regards energy consumption in line with the Kyoto Protocol, which strives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions substantially by 2020.
Increased energy efficiency and the greater use of renewables are an important solution to the current challenges in the energy sector, but at the same time they are also a business opportunity, opening up markets for new technologies, creating jobs and making Europe’s economy more competitive.
The Intelligent Energy-Europe (IEE) Programme of the European Union addresses key questions: how to take advantage of these market opportunities, how to increase the uptake of new technologies and how to convert EU policy on energy efficiency and renewables into action “on the ground”.
The programme supports European projects, one-off events (eg conferences) and the setting up of local or regional energy agencies. The 2007 call for proposals (published in April and expiring in September) covers three fields. These are “SAVE” (energy efficiency), “ALTENER” (new and renewable energy sources) and “STEER” (energy aspects of transport). The total budget for 2007 is EUR52 million.
To further explain the IEE programme the Resources and Infrastructure Ministry, through the Malta IEE National Contact Point, will be organising an “IEE Info Day” on 13 July at the Corinthia-San Gorg Hotel, St Julian’s, from 9am to 12:30pm.
This event should be of particular interest to SMEs, governmental agencies, environmental groups, policy-makers and entrepreneurs and members of the business community.
A presentation will be made by the Director of the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation (EACI) in Brussels, Patrick Lambert. Mr Lambert had been working for the EU Directorate General for Energy since 1984, when he was appointed Director of the Intelligent Energy Executive Agency (IEEA) in 2004. The IEEA is the first executive agency created by the Commission to manage the Intelligent Energy Europe Programme designed to promote greater energy efficiency and renewable energies. Recently, the Commission has added a number of programmes to the portfolio of the Agency, which now becomes the Executive Agency for Competitiveness and Innovation.
The Info Day will also be addressed by the Resources and Infrastructure Minister, Ninu Zammit.
Registration for the Info Day can be made by sending an email to [email protected] giving the name and surname, organisation and contact details (telephone, fax and email) of the participant/s. Information related to the event is available on the event web page www.iee.org.mt
The language to be used during the Info Day will be English and there will be ample time for questions and discussions.
Although participation is free of charge, prior registration is highly recommended because of seating restrictions.