ECREEE and the ITC signed a Memorandum of Understanding

Canarias, Spain
03/28/2011

The Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias (ITC), represented by the Chief Executive Officer, Juan Ruiz Azola and the ECOWAS Regional Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency ECREEE, represented by the Executive Director Mr. Mahama Kappiah, signed a Memorandum of Understanding by which they formalize aseries of joint actions between the two institutions in the field of renewable energy and water technologies.

The Instituto Tecnológico de Canarias, established in 1992, as a Technology Centre of the Canary Island Regional Government (Gobierno de Canarias) that carries applied research and innovative activities in different fields, like renewable energies and water technologies. ITC contributes to foster the Regional Innovation Policy in the Canary Archipelago, advices and supports different public institutions which belong to the Local or Regional Administrations and executes international cooperation projects in developing countires (particularly related to energy and water supply to remote areas).

For more than 10 years, ITC has been successfully transferring its experience in renewable energy and water to west Africa countries, by carrying out cooperation projects for sustainable electricity and water supply, in the areas of capacity building, consultancy, promotion of best practices in energy and water (including energy efficiency) as well as electrification and water treatment/desalination by means of renewable energies.
 


Under this agreement, the two institutions will establish an ongoing relationship that allows them to work for the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency system and water technologies, sharing good practices and identifying opportunities for financing projects in West Africa. As the closest international partner to ECREEE, due to its proximity to West Africa, it will allow easy exchange of experiences, information and also create synergies that allow the development of appropriate infrastructure in renewable energy.

The first two activities to be developed under the MOU are the presentation of two proposals for rural electrification projects and the implementation of a training seminar for senior officials and experts from the administrations of the countries of ECOWAS.

In the MoU, both organisations agreed to:
 

  1.  In mutual respect of each other's identity and mission, to commit themselves to cooperating on the basis of an exchange of relevant information, expertise and viewpoints in order to develop and reinforce potential synergies, enhance public dialogue and thrive to implement common positions.
     
  2.  To work together for the promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency energy systems and services sharing best practice, tapping into global expertise and project financing opportunities and raising the profile of local/regional expertise and projects.
     
  3. To exchange information about projects or other initiatives in order to identify compatibilities, to create synergies and to avoid overlapping actions.
     
  4. To identify through regular contacts the activities to be undertaken to realize the aforementioned co-operation.


More information available at: www.ecreee.org and www.itccanarias.org.


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