About RCREEE 6...About RCREEE 6 1. RCREEE, a Living Organization 7 2. RCREEE’s Projects in 2016 13 2.1.National Action Plans Support and Monitoring and Arab Renewable Energy Framework

Annual Report 20162

List of Abbreviations 3

About RCREEE 6

1. RCREEE, a Living Organization 7

2. RCREEE’s Projects in 2016 13

2.1.National Action Plans Support and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools 15

Arab Renewable Energy Framework and National Renewable Energy Action Plan 15

National Energy Efficiency Action Plan 16

SHAMCI – Solar Heating Arab Mark and Certification Initiative 17

Preparing a Practical Guide to Energy Efficient Business Solutions for the MENA Region 18

2.2. Research and Market Analysis Program 19

Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX™) 19

Market Assessment Reports - Daleel and Technical Briefs 20

Market Assessment Reports - PACE 21

Solar Med Atlas 22

TaqaWay 23

2.3. Arab Capacity Development Program 24

Capacity Development Portfolio 24

Certified Energy Management Professional (CEMP) 25

Arab Program for Sustainable Energy Youth (APSEY) 26

2.4. Private Investment Promotion Program (PIP) 27

Diesel2Solar 27

EgyptSEFF – Egypt Sustainable Energy Financing Facility 28

Utilizing Solar Energy in Thermal Industrial Processes in Egypt (SHIP) 29

Active Turbine Management Program (ATMP) 30

2.5. RE-Activate 31

RE-Activate – Infographics: Mapping of Administrative and Permitting Procedures 32

related to Solar PV Project Development

3. Investment in Capacity Development 33

4. Communications and International Affairs 36

5. RCREEE’s Financial Brief 40

6. Publications of the Year 43

Table of Contents

Annual Report 2016 3

List of Abbreviations

ATMP Active Turbine Management Program

AIDMO Arabian Industrial Development and Mining Organization

AMEC Arab Ministerial Electricity Council

AREF Arab Renewable Energy Framework

BoT Board of Trustees

CEMP Certified Energy Management Professionals

CNG Compressed Natural Gas

COP22 22nd Conference of Parties

CSP Concentrated Solar Power

DANIDA Danish International Development Agency

D2S Diesel2Solar

DLR German Aerospace Center

EBRD European Bank for Reconstruction and Development

EE Energy Efficiency

EEAA Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency

EE Planning Energy Efficiency Planning

EETC Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company

EgyptSEFF Egypt Sustainable Energy Financing Facility

ERA Egyptian Electric Utility and Consumer Protection Regulatory Agency

ENCPC Egyptian National Cleaner Production Center

ESCOs Energy Service Companies

ESCWA Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia

EC European Commission

FiT Feed-in Tariff

GIZ German Development Cooperation

IEA-SHC International Energy Agency Solar Heating and Cooling Programme

IRENA International Renewable Energy Agency

LAS League of Arab States

LUA Land Use Agreement

LCEC Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation

MED-ENEC Energy Efficiency in the Construction Sector in the Mediterranean

MEDENER Mediterranean Association of the National Energies for Energy Conservation

MENA Middle East and North Africa

MENAREC Middle East and North Africa Renewable Energy Conference

MoU Memorandum of Understanding

MS Member States

NEEAP National Energy Efficiency Action Plan

NREA New and Renewable Energy Authority

NREAP National Renewable Energy Action Plans

OME Observatoire Méditerranéen de l’Energie

OFID Opec Fund for International Development

PACE Pan Arab Clean Energy Initiative

Annual Report 20164

RCREEE Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency

RE Renewable Energy

R&D Research and Development

AREF Arab Renewable Energy Framework

SEMC Southern and Eastern Mediterranean Countries

SHAMCI Solar Heating Arab Marking and Certification Initiative

SHIP Solar Energy in Thermal Industrial Processes

SWHs Solar Water Heaters

UfM Union for the Mediterranean

UNEP United Nations Environmental Program

UNIDO United Nations Industrial Development Organization

UNWFP United Nations World Food Program

WS Workshop


Executive Director Forward

The Pan-Arab Strategy for Renewable Energy 2030 developed in joint collaboration with RCREEE, IRENA and the League of Arab States (LAS) was a determinant pillar in the continuous development of the sector. Together with the recently introduced and politically endorsed Implementation and Monitoring tools for the mentioned strategy by the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity, an increased dominance of regionally coor-dinated actions in the Arab region is now taking place.

We as RCREEE are proud to have been once again this year on the front line in the enforcement of renewa-bles and energy efficiency technology in the Arab region. In partnership with GIZ GmbH and LAS, we have finalised the development of the Arab Renewable Energy Framework (AREF), which is to serve as a policy tool for Arab countries for the development of their National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs), as well as supported our member states in further defining their National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs).

Additional success stories this year have been the launch of our Flagship product Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX 2016 Renewable Energy) at COP22 in partnership with UNDP, this year expanding the analysis of ove-rall potential and national RE&EE market conditions to 22 Arab countries. In this way the product has positio-ned itself as a must-read tool for any stakeholder aiming to get engaged in the sector in the Pan-Arab region.

A cornerstone of our work has continued to be the provision of capacity building and knowledge sharing, which we have exceedingly materialized through the organisation of 27 workshops, technical trainings, know-ledge exchange missions and conferences, ultimately benefitting approximately 900 participants. Moreover, we have this year strengthened our ties with OFID, proven in their keen commitment to support our Arab Capacity Building APSEY Program 2017-18.

Furthermore, RCREEE has this year further strengthened its ties with the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), first by signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for cooperating in the field of RE and EE in the mutual countries of operation; and secondly by having RCREEE – together with Montgo-mery Watson Harza of USA – awarded by EBRD the advisory services for the second phase of the Bank’s credit financing facility for promoting RE and EE solutions in the Egyptian electricity market, the so-called Green Economy Financing Facility (GEFF) with funding EUR.140 million.

We close this 2016 with satisfaction and a keen enthusiasm to keep on building on the undertaken work for a fruitful 2017. We hope the following pages will allow you and the rest of our stakeholders to grasp the dynamism and commitment of RCREEE’s crew towards the enforcement of renewable energies and energy efficiency in the MENA region.

At least once a year one has to take perspective and analyse all that was achieved throughout the last twelve months, how close it is from the initially set goals, and how to further ensure a smooth approach to the defined horizon. As much as renewable energy and energy efficien-cy technology has been continuously gifting us with winks of optimism throughout the last years, 2016 has marked a turning point in terms of the competitiveness gains experienced by the sector. 2016 saw for the first time the surpassing of 3000 MW of total installed capacity in the Arab countries of new renewables (without taking into account hydro). More-over, the lowest ever offered bid of the third phase of UAE’s Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park resulting in a price of 2.99 USD cents/kWh is an expression of the experienced achievements of the sector.

Ahmed BadrExecutive Director, RCREEE

Annual Report 20166

About RCREEE

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) is an intergovernmental organi-zation with diplomatic status that aims to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in the Arab region. RCREEE teams with regional governments and global organizations to initiate and lead clean energy policy dialogues, strategies, technologies and capacity development in order to increase Arab states’ share of tomorrow’s energy.

Through its solid alliance with the League of Arab States, RCREEE is committed to tackle each country’s specific needs and objectives through collaborating with Arab policy makers, businesses, international or-ganizations and academic communities in key work areas: capacity development and learning, policies and regulations, research and statistics, and technical assistance. The center is also involved in various local and regional projects and initiatives that are tailored to specific objectives.

Having today 17 Arab countries among its members, RCREEE strives to lead renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives and expertise in all Arab states based on five core strategic impact areas: facts and figu-res, policies, people, institutions, and finance.

RCREEE is financed through its member state contributions, government grants provided by Germany through the German Development Cooperation (GIZ) GmbH and Egypt through the New and Renewable Energy Au-thority (NREA). RCREEE is also financed through selected fee-for-service contracts.

Vision and Mission

We, the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, are the strategic partner for the Arab countries driving energy transition to a better life for all our people.


RCREEE: A Living Organization

Annual Report 20168

The Pan-Arab Intergovernmental Regional Institution for RE & EERCREEE strives year by year to consolidate its position both outwards by gradually increasing its pool of undertaken projects and established partnerships as well as internally by consolidating its team, investing and identifying the potential of each of its staff, and coordinating its members to optimize the added-value it has to offer in the region.

RCREEE has successfully sustained the strategic activities resembled in holding annual and quarterly based meetings. On the other hand, the strategic partners, which are the center’s backbone, have experienced a valuable addition through signing three Memoranda of Understanding with distinguished regional and international organizations. Since communication is one of our main pillars, we continue on expanding our database across the different sectors. Also, through our communication channels, RCREEE’s outreach has faced continuous growth reflecting on the numbers of our media channels or our participation and organization in either regional or international events.

As per the organizational chart, below are lists for each of our Board of Trustees, executive committee members, focal points, secretariat and, finally, our strategic partners;

Board of Trustees17 Representatives

(One of each Member State)

SecretariatExecutive Director and Staff

Executive Committee5 Representatives

(3 from Government and 2 from Private Sector)


The Board of Trustees

Rachedi MENADI Algeria Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewable EnergyMinistry of Energy

Sheikh Nawwaf Ben Hamad Al Khalifah Bahrain Executive Director Electricity and Water Authority

Abbas Aden Atteyeh Djibouti Advisor to the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources

Mohamed Moussa Omran Egypt Acting Executive Chairman NREA Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy

Naseer Kareem Kasim IraqHead of Renewable Energies and

Energy Efficiency Department Ministry of Electricity

Ziad Jebril Sabra Jordan Advisor to the Minister Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources

Dhahwi M. Al Hameli Kuwait Director of Emergency Electrical Networks DepartmentMinistry of Electricity and Water

Pierre El Khoury Lebanon General Director Lebanese Centre for Energy Concentration (LCEC)

Hamid Hameda El Sherwali Libya Chairperson of the Board of Directors Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAoL) Ministry of Electricity

Mohamed YARGUETT Mauritania Advisor to Minister of Electricity and Renewable Energies

Zohra Ettaik Morocco Director of Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Ministry of Energy, Mines, Water and Environment

Ayman Ismail PalestineGeneral Director of Palestinian Energy and Environment

Research Center (PEC)Palestinian Energy Authority

Mohamed Ahmed Noor Somalia Advisor to the Somalian Ministry of Energy and Water Resources

Yasir Abdallah Sudan Renewable and Alternative Energy DirectorMinistry of Water Resources and Electricity

Mostafa Shikhani Syria General Manager; Public Establishment For Distribution of Electricity

Abdel Momen El Farchichi Tunisia Director Ministry of Energy, Mining, and Renewable Energies

Towfick Ali Sufian YemenTechnical Advisor to the Minister, Ministry of Electricity and

Energy Professor of Electrical Engineering at University of Sana’a

Omneya Sabry Egypt Chairlady of Executive Committee

Hassan Aly Amin Egypt Country Development Director- Acwa Power

Khairy Agha Libya Energy Consultant, Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Tripoli

Wasim Al Azeh Jordan Senior Sustainability Manager, Global Sustainability Sector - Khatib & Alami

Ziad El Zein Lebanon Head of PR and Finance & Vice President of the Board, Lebanese Centre for Energy Conservation ( LCEC)

The Executive Committee

Annual Report 201610

The Focal Points

Fawzi ben Zaid Algeria Ministry of Energy & Mines

Deputy director for new and renewable energy

Ministry of Energy

Nasser Al-Ruwaili Bahrain Electricity & Water Authority

Advisor to H.E the Chief Executive of Electricity & Water Authority

Farah Kaireh Maydal DjiboutiMinistry of Energy

and Mineral Resources

Chief Service of Renewable EnergyMinistry of Energy and Mineral Resources

Ehab Ismail Amin EgyptNew & Renewable Energy Authority

(NREA)

Head Sector of Studies & ResearchNew & Renewable Energy Authority

(NREA)

Shamel Mazkour Iraq Ministry of ElectricityAssistant general manager of training and

development departmentMinistry of Electricity

Yacoub Elias Marar JordanMinistry of Energy

andMineral Resources

Acting director of renewable energy department

Ministry of Energy andMineral Resources

N/A Kuwait N/A N/A

Sorina Mortada LebanonLebanese Centre for Energy Conservation

(LCEC)

Technical Consultant Lebanese Centre for Energy Conservation

(LCEC)

Mohamed -D- Sidon LibyaRenewable Energy Authority of Libya

(REAOL

Director of Chairman Office of Renewable Energy Authority of Libya (REAOL

Mbarka Mahmoudy MauritaniaMinistry of Electricity

and Renewable Energies

Head of Energy Control DepartmentMinistry of Electricity and Renewable Energies

Abdel Ali Dakkina Morocco Agence Nationale ADEREE

Director of Strategy and Development DivisionAgence Nationale ADEREE

Bassel Yassin Palestine

Palestinian Energy and Environmental

Research Center (PEC)Palestinian Energy

Authority (PEA)

Director of Energy Environmental Impact Department

Palestinian Energy and Environmental Research Center (PEC)

Palestinian Energy Authority (PEA)

Hassan Abdullahi Isaq SomaliaSomalian Ministry of

Energy and Water Resources

Director of technical and maintenance department

Ministry of Energy and Water Resources

Sharaf Adien Elaagib Sudan Electricity Regulatory Authority ERA

Cost Division ManagerElectricity Regulatory Authority ERA

Younes Ali Syria NERC General Director Deputy National Energy Research Center (NERC)

Abdelhamid Khalafallah TunisiaMinistry of Industry

/ General Energy Directory

Deputy Director of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy, General Directorate of

EnergyMinistry of Energy, Mining, and Renewable

Energies


The Secretariat:

Ahmed BadrExecutive Director

Mirhan AbdouAssistant to ExecutiveDirector

Maged K. MahmoudTechnical Director and Lead RE Advisor

Rim BoukhchinaSenior Technical Expert,Project Manager

Hossam Al HerafiSenior Specialist,Policy Analysis

Rana El-GuindySenior Specialist,Energy Economics

Noha Gamal El DinMember States Relations and Operations Manager

Noura El AtrebyOperations Specialist

Ahmed AtefEnergy EfficiencyEngineering Specialist

Rawad RizkRE/EE Engineering Specialist

Mohamed Abou El ElaHead of Finance andAdministration

Muhammed H. SelimSenior Financial Accountant

Mina NabilEnergy EfficiencyEngineering Specialist

Khaled SalmiJunior Associate Expert

Inass Abou KhodierSenior Specialist, SustainableEnergy Finance

Eman AdelRE Engineering Specialist

Assem KorayemRE Engineering Specialist

Salma El AidarosySenior Human ResourcesSpecialist

Ashraf KraidyPlanning Director

Andrea CabaneroPlanning and Development Specialist

Mohamed Emad EldinGraphic Designer

Akram Al MohamadiRE Engineering Specialist

Yasmeen OrabySenior Operations Specialist


Strategic Partners:


RCREEE’s Projects in 2016RCREEE’s Projects in 2016


RCREEE’s Projects in 2016

All individual projects undertaken by RCREEE of both technical and non-technical nature are categorized under four groups, according to the purpose of each project. Below an overview of the mentioned categories with the corresponding projects is presented. Additionally, RCREEE undertakes a series of third party research and analysis studies, the products of which fall in one of the four mentioned categories. An accurate description of the progress in each project follows.

All of the mentioned projects fall in one of the five Key Result areas of RCREEE, these being “Facts and Figures”, “Policies”, “Institutions”, “People” and “Finance”, depending on the goals the specific project pursues. Moreover, projects are at different phases of development; conception stage, planning, implementation, delivery or evaluation. Both the project Key Result area as well as its current Phase (stage of development) as of December 2016 are included in the following project overviews.

National Action Plans Support and Monitoring and Evaluation Tools

Arab Capacity Development Program Private Investment Promotion (PIP) Program

Research and Market Analysis Program

• On-Demand Capacity Development Programs• Certified Energy Management Professional (CEMP)• Arab Program for Sustainable Energy Youth

(APSEY)• Credentialing of Training Services with GIZ/

RE-Activate

Third Party Studies and Projects

• Diesel2Solar• Egypt Sustainable Energy Financing Facility

(EgyptSEFF)• GIZ/Re-Activate PV investments Info-graphics• Utilizing Solar Energy for Industrial Process

Heat in Egyptian Industry (SHIP)• Active Turbine Management Program

(ATMP)

• Arab Renewable Energy Framework• National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs)• National Energy Efficiency Action Plans (NEEAPs)• Solar Heating Arab Mark and Certification Initiative (SHAMCI)• Preparing a practical guide to energy efficient business solutions for the MENA Region

• Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX)• Arab Region Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guide (Daleel)• IRENA Road Map Study• IRENA RE in Arab region• Pan Arab Clean Energy Initiative (PACE)• Solar-Med Atlas• TaqaWay


• Create a solid base and clear path for the achievement of RE targets across Arab countriess, where in the first

year after NREAP template endorsement, three NREAPs are ready for adoption in Lebanon, Sudan and Bahrain,

while other three are in initial phase of development in Jordan, Mauritania and Palestine.

• A harmonized regional approach enabling convergence in RE planning across the Arab region in order to take ad-

vantage of existing synergies.

• Ensure the effective monitoring to accurately and periodically evaluate action plans progress.

Arab Renewable Energy Framework and National Renewable Energy Action Plans

RCREEE, in partnership with GIZ, has supported the League of Arab States (LAS) in the development of the Arab Renewable energy Framework (AREF), which is to serve as a policy tool for Arab countries for the development of their National Renewable Energy Action Plans (NREAPs). AREF aims at introducing a Pan-Arab collaborative framework by setting a list of guidelines and recommendations to ensure an effective planning and reporting progress of strategies, knowledge exchange and potential joint-projects to be undertaken among regional countries.

Additionally, RCREEE has developed the National Renewable Energy Action Plan (NREAP) Template, to be used by Arab countries as a complementary tool to AREF to develop their short and medium term NREAPs, which in turn are the national response to the Arab Renewable Energy Strategy 2030 developed by LAS. The template aims at holistically covering all fields to be taken into account by Arab countries in the design of their RE national plans. The product has been approved by the Arab Ministerial Council for Electricity (AMCE) and distributed among Arab states. RCREEE is moreover periodically conducting local and regional workshops and providing technical assistance, as well as monitoring the achieved progress to support member countries throughout the whole process.

The project intends to create both a solid base and design a clear path for Arab countries in order to achieve an increased role of renewable energy in their economies, while at the same time provides a homogeneous methodology in order to optimize existing synergies. Throughout 2016, RCREEE has specifically supported the development of NREAPs in Lebanon and Sudan, as well as the renewable energy investment model in Iraq, where the first utility-scale project (50MW PV) has been tendered, and reviewed the Power Purchase Agreement model in Tunisia, related to the recently

Milestones achieved in 2016

• Supported the development of NREAPs in Lebanon and Sudan, as well as NREAP related topics in Tunisia and Iraq.• Presentation of the progress report to the Arab Ministerial Council Executive Bureau Meeting.• Organized a session on Financing and De-Risking RE&EE Investments in the Arab Region, with representatives

from AFESD, EBRD, UNDP, IsDB and WB.

Project Impact:

Funding Source Member State Partners: LAS, GIZ

Period 2015,Ongoing Contact Person: Maged MahmoudRim Boukhchina

[email protected]@rcreee.org

Phase

Key Area


The National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP) is a strategic national planning tool that helps Arab countries to apply energy efficiency goals. Since the inception of the initiative in 2010, RCREEE has been a main enabler to help countries apply this vision, the aim of which is to foster and improve electricity efficiency and consumption rationalization of end users in Arab states. A diversity of stakeholders count among the beneficiaries of the product, such as energy suppliers, distributors and energy end-users. RCREEE was mandated by the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity for monitoring the progress of NEEAPs as well as publishing annual reports.

The guideline suggests mechanisms, institutional frameworks, indicative targets, incentives and financial and legal measures required to remove the barriers and flaws in national markets to ensure a more energy efficiency-friendly institutional setting. The guidelines support governments to set strategic six-year plans on two three-year phases for energy efficiency and puts guidelines for progress monitoring. Within this framework, RCREEE has conducted various regional and national workshops as well as trainings to educate member states on using and implementing the guidelines and share countries’ success stories and best practices.


• Technical assistance has been provided to Egypt for the development of their second NEEAP.• 20 energy efficiency technologies of high priority in the region have been identified.• A new Monitoring and Reporting Progress of Energy Efficiency for LAS Member States was circulated.• New Reporting Guideline has been developed and circulated to focal points in Member States.

Project Impact:

National Energy Efficiency Action Plans

Funding Source Member State Partners: LAS, MED-ENEC

Period 2015 ongoing Contact Person: Hossam Al Herafi [email protected]

• 12 national targets have been established so far.

• 17 national responsible entities in the Arab region have been assigned.

• 18 NEEAPs are currently progressing and are in different stages of development.

• 11 countries have until now used the NEEAP template.



• Organized the Fifth SHAMCI meeting at Cairo on the 25th of October, 2016.• The working rules of the Network have been presented for approval during the SHAMCI Network meeting.• The certification schemes rules, the readiness criteria for SHAMCI involved bodies and the working rules the

network have been presented for approval during the SHAMCI network meeting.

SHAMCI – Solar Heating Arab Mark and Certification Initiative

Funding SourceMember states and UNEP

Partners: LAS, AIDMO, RCREEE

Period 2012 ongoing Contact Person:Ashraf KraidyKhalid SalmiMina Nabil

[email protected]@[email protected]

Solar Water Heating (SWH) systems are regarded as a simple and cost-effective renewable energy technology that is widely used for water heating for domestic and industrial use. This technology allows governments to decrease their dependency levels on gas and electricity in heating water.

With these attributes in mind, RCREEE has taken the initiative together with the Arabian Industrial Development and Mining Organization (AIDMO) of establishing the Solar Heating Arab Mark and Certification Initiative (SHAMCI), a quality certification scheme for the production of solar thermal products and services in the Arab region. The project aims at fostering the use of this technology by providing a well-regulated compliance framework in terms of required quality standards, accreditation systems and quality labels across the region. SHAMCI is now endorsed by the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity AMCE and a few Arab countries have expressed their interest to implement it at national level.

• Improving and expanding SWH markets through offering better quality standards and consumer confidence.

• Providing a base for promoting regional compliance having countries indicated interests in implementing the

scheme (Tunisia, Egypt, Lebanon, and Jordan).

• The national adoption of SHAMCI at regional level ultimately aims at achieving economies of scale, facilitating

trade barriers, streamlining compliance monitoring, creating jobs and promoting compliance to industrial quality

standards.

Project Impact:


Preparing a Practical Guide to Energy Efficient Business Solutions for the MENA Region

The aim of this project is to prepare a practical guide about energy efficient business solutions for the MENA region, with the objective of highlighting both the importance of investing in energy eefficiency measures as well as the potential of energy saving. The guide is being developed by presenting a set of case studies and real projects related to the replacement of generators and systems with newer and more efficient ones or with hybrid/RE-based systems.

The project is contributing to the pool of available and useful information on the field by publishing an awareness raising booklet for Energy Efficiency projects in MENA region containing many energy-saving measures and solutions categorized by business sectors, which moreover presents the advantages of such technology and offers recommendations about investing in measures that will raise the energy efficiency of SME’s.

• Promote competitiveness of MENA region firms.• Promote EE applications for SME’s.• Expand knowledge base in the region.• Contribute to the creation of new financing mechanisms and initiatives in the MENA region.

Project Impact:


• Data collection and identification of case studies and best practices in the MENA region. • Preparing a checklist of available audit data for each country, sectors and measures, as well as suggestion list

with more than the 20 most relevant EE measures for the MENA region (with focus on Egypt, Tunisia, Lebanon and Jordan).

• Conducting detailed calculations for more than 10 technology-specific cases, including project details, EE measures, energy saving calculations and cost saving.

• Review and adaptation of the booklet content to MENA Region context.• Organization of regular meetings with IPC.

Funding Source IPC GGF Partners: IPC GGF

Period 2016-2017 Contact Person: Rim Boukhchina [email protected]


AFEX™ is the first Arab index dedicated to monitoring and analysing sustainable energy competitiveness in the Arab region and offers both quantitative and qualitative analysis on key renewable energy and energy efficiency markets. RCREEE has launched the last version of its Flagship product AFEX™ Renewable Energy 2016 report at the 22nd Conference of Parties (COP22) in Marrakesh, in November 2016. This issuance has expanded its geographical scope adding three new countries to track the progress achieved by an overall of 20 Arab countries in the MENA region. AFEX™ RE report analyses Arab countries’ progress based on 28 indicators covering four categories: Finance and Investment Climate, Market Structure, Policy Framework and Institutional Capacity. The assessment is based on the compilation and analysis of detailed, country-specific data according to the set of pre-defined indicators. The report shows that, for the first time, the renewable energy capacities surpassed the 3000 megawatt threshold, with plans up to 2030 exceeding 80 thousands megawatts. AFEX RE demonstrates how policy frameworks are gradually evolving to foster a sustainable energy transition. Most countries now have specific renewable energy targets with detailed national action plans and supporting policies such as feed-in-tariffs, net-metering, competitive bidding and direct proposals. RCREEE has moreover started the data collection phase for the to be launched AFEX 2017 Energy Efficiency in the upcoming year.

Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX™)

• Provided a public access product aiming at expanding stakeholders’ knowledge on the current development undertaken by Arab countries in the field of RE&EE by collecting and analysing detailed, wide-ranging and country-specific data.

• Identified main constraints to the further development of the sector in the region, as well as means to foster it.• Identified parallelisms and idiosyncrasies between countries, as well as existing gaps and possible intervention

areas for RCREEE.• Fostered know-how exchange by building on individual countries’ experiences regarding RE&EE policies and

sharing the acquired information through publications and presentations at international events.


• Launch of AFEX RE 2016 at COP22.• Social media campaign has been undertaken.• Team formed for next launch of AFEX Energy Efficiency 2017 and data collection has started.

Funding SourceUNDP and RCREEE

Partners: National authorities of RCREEE’s member states

Period 2013 - ongoing Contact Person: Maged Mahmoud [email protected]

Project Impact:


Throughout the year, RCREEE has been involved in a series of market assessment reports and technical briefs in collaboration with organizations active in the Arab Region. The Arab Region Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Guide (Daleel) is a directory updated biennially which provides a holistic overview of all relevant information on the fields of renewable energy and energy efficiency in the Arab region. RCREEE has supported LAS with the development and updating of the product, which presents updated statistics, undertaken strategic plans and policies in Arab countries, institutional and regulatory frameworks, prevailing financial incentives, planned investments, energy companies and field experts.

As part of its collaboration with IRENA and taking advantage of its competitive edge regarding updated knowledge in the region, RCREEE has developed a brief document under the title “Latest Developments in Renewable Energy in the Arab Region”, providing an overview of the mentioned topic. Part of the development of the product involved stakeholder consultations with regional actors and national governments, with the aim of defining a clear path for different Arab countries to fill their gaps and support them in fulfilling their national targets.

Additionally, RCREEE has developed a renewable energy technical brief portraying the Egyptian experience in wind farms integration with grids focusing on Zafarana wind farms and an energy efficiency technical brief covering the Bahraini experience in buildings’ insulation. Both publications are part of RCREEE series on documenting the Arab countries experiences in sustainable energy solutions.

Market Assessment Reports - Daleel and Technical Briefs

Project Impact:

• Providing help to investors and international institutions to find reliable sustainable energy information on Arab states.

• Providing help to Arab states to rely on consistent and accurate information in their preparation of sustainable energy action and plans.

• Foster regional collaboration among various stakeholders.• Improve the region’s capability for RE deployment by increasing investment attractiveness in the sector of

relevance.• Facilitate technology transfer and improve local skills.• Identification of the required steps to be taken based on the recommendations from the Arab Renewable Energy

Framework and National Renewable Energy Action Plans.

Funding Source RCREEE, IRENA Partners: LAS, IRENA

Period 2012 ongoing Contact Person: Maged MahmoudHossam Alherafi (Daleel)



Market Assessment Reports - PACE

RCREEE is collaborating with IRENA for the development of the Pan Arab Clean Energy Initiative (PACE), the idea of which derived from one of the recommendations included in the joint report with LAS and IRENA “Ways toward the Implementation of the Pan-Arab RE Strategy 2010-2030: Developing a Renewable Energy Road Map of Actions for Arab Countries”.

The first phase of the study has a focus on the Maghreb countries and covers the current status of renewable power and associated infrastructure and supply chains, resource assessment capabilities, national and regional planning processes, market and financial frameworks for investment, human capacities and knowledge sharing. The study also covers an evaluation of the prioritization to grid access given to renewable production by independent power producers (IPPs). The final deliverable is a report containing a set of recommendations and action plans to accelerate the deployment of renewable power supply in the Maghreb region.

Project Impact:

• Providing help to investors and international institutions to find reliable sustainable energy information on Arab states.

• Providing help to Arab states to rely on consistent and reliable information in their preparation of sustainable energy action and plans.

Funding Source IRENAPartners: IRENA and relevant

national institutions

Period 2014 - ongoing Contact Person: Rim Boukhchina [email protected]


• Completion of data gathering and analysis.• Organization of stakeholder’s consultations missions to Maghreb countries to present and validate study results

and findings.• Editing the final version of the report which is under IRENA final review.


Solar Med Atlas

Project Impact:

• Fostering the use of solar energy in the MENA region.• Increasing the area of available knowledge by introducing for the first time the Arabic Language in a Solar resource

portal.• Synergizing competences across different institutions and countries.• Create a Solar Energy Linked data base.• Increase solar expertise in the MENA Region.


• Preparing the infrastructure and harmonization of RCREEE database to create a common RE platform.• Creation of a linked open database.• Analysis and assessment of RE training needs in MENA countries.• Design of the Solar Energy training course content for Policy and administration, project developers, industry

and education target groups.• Design and organization of a train-the-trainer course on solar technologies in English and French. • Implementation of the two training courses on solar resources and PV technologies held respectively in

Jordan from 14 to 17 February 2016 and in Tunisia from 22 to 25 February 2016.

RCREEE joined a consortium of international organizations led by the German Aerospace Center (DLR) to develop an interactive solar Atlas for the Mediterranean Region. The initiative, which has been funded by the German International Climate Initiative, is a comprehensive online solar energy and socioeconomic data map, as well as information portal, dedicated to the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean region, which serves as a portal for global horizontal and direct normal irradiance data. The project is composed of 2 phases. In the second phase, RCREEE focused in undertaking capacity development activities and on developing dynamic socio-economic country profiles as part of the project web portal.

Funding SourceGerman International Climate Initiative

Partners: DLR, Geomodel, Transvalor, Armines, OME and REEEP

Period 2015 ongoing Contact Person: Rim Boukhchina [email protected]


TaqaWay

TaqaWay is an information portal for the Arab region that RCREEE has established in collaboration with the League of Arab States (LAS). The portal presents the most updated data on the field of renewable energy and energy efficiency in an innovative way by presenting visual statistics and information on Arab countries’ market capabilities, institutions, projects, stakeholders and policies. Moreover, Taqaway can be used as a tool for data collection and benchmarking Arab countries’ readiness and market capabilities in renewable energy and energy efficiency. In addition, TaqaWay has an interactive portal which opens a discussion and training areas to researchers and experts. The website also contains some of RCREEE’s projects, online courses and information such as SHAMCI. The UN-ESCWA and UNEP supported TaqaWay to develop some of its features and contents. TaqaWay beta version was launched on the 5th World Statistics Day.

The portal is targeting policy makers, non-governmental institutions, investors, academia, experts, and researchers and aims to help them find reliable, accurate and updated information on sustainable energy in the Arab region. All data is free and accessible to the public within an interactive and high-quality end-user experience.

• Portal on the Arab region’s energy statistics, data, analysis, policies information and institutions.

• Promoting interaction, sustainable partnerships and networking among members of the sustainable energy community.

• Facilitating access to RE and EE energy information to facilitate policy decision making in the Arab region.• Developing Arab experts knowledge through on-line courses and relevant capacity building programs.• Providing access to an interactive space for discussions between researchers and experts.• Support researchers with some online courses on the energy field.


• Launching the pilot trial of Arabic TaqaWay• Development of the Networking Space in TaqaWay platform to foster one-to-one communication between

experts and researchers• Create a “New projects” Tab to include RCREEE projects

Funding SourceRCREEE, UN-ESCWA, UNE, RE-ACTIVATE

Partners: LAS, UNEP, ESCWA, RE-ACTIVATE

Period 2012 ongoing Contact Person: Eman AdelAssem Korayem


Project Impact:


The activities offered by the Capacity Development portfolio include training courses, workshops and knowledge exchange missions in order to support RCREEE’s Member States’ experts and focal points. It moreover ensures the development of effective competences and the improvement of knowledge, skills, ability and high performance of trainees. The specific topics of the training courses are adapted to Member States’ needs and requirements gathered both from a Capacity Development survey implemented by RCREEE in January 2014 and from specific request and/or needs of RCREEE Member States.

Capacity Development Portfolio

Project Impact:

• Enhancing of the relevant skills among experts involved in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectors in the Arab region.

• Promotion of synergies and knowledge exchange between countries.• Cost reduction derived from the increase in trainees’ expertise in tackling potential challenges in future projects

energy action and plans.


• Design and planning of 2016 Capacity Development program.• Design, planning and implementation of a course on solar resources and PV technologies within the framework

of Solar Med Atlas project held in Jordan in February 2016.• Design, planning and implementation of training course on Smart Grids and the integration of RE projects

organized in Granada from 25 to 30 April 2016 in cooperation with the Arab-Foundation and LAS.• Organization of two knowledge exchange missions between Egypt and Lebanon on the ”Development of RE

projects by private sector, contracting procedures and mechanisms of solar and wind energy pricing.• Organization of a knowledge exchange missions for specialists from Djibouti and Mauritania to Egypt on

“Promoting Private Investments in Renewable Energy” in June 2016.

Funding Source Member States Partners: Regional, international, national organizations.

Period 2016 Contact Person: Rim Boukhchina [email protected]


Project Impact:

• Improve end-use energy efficiency.• Assist enterprises in becoming more competitive, efficient and cost effective by reducing their energy cost.• Contributing to the creation of value adding/cost effective jobs.• A professional standard of competence recognized throughout the Arab region.


• Concept note presented to and endorsed by the Ministerial Council of Electricity in their 32nd session• ToR for developing and implementing the first pilot training in Egypt.

Certified Energy Management Professional (CEMP)

The Certified Energy Management Professional (CEMP) is a professional certification program endorsed by the Executive Bureau of the Arab Ministerial Council of Electricity in their 32nd session on May 31, 2016.

RCREEE in collaboration with the Secretariat (Energy Department) of the Council of Electricity Minsters of the League of Arab States developed CEMP as a standardized in-depth professional certification program for Energy Managers tailored for the Arab region. CEMP is Pan-Arab Regional programme with central management and national delivery customized based on the national contexts. It aims to assist EE policy makers and program administrators in planning and implementing Energy Efficiency plans and related measures and achieve energy targets.

Funding Source

Member States, RE-Active

Partners: LAS, RE-Activate

Period 2016 ongoing Contact Person: Yasmeen Oraby [email protected]


At RCREEE, we believe that our region’s young talents are its most valuable asset. The Arab Program for Sustainable Energy Youth™ (APSEY) is a regional sustainable energy internship program which targets young professionals and post graduate students of engineering, economy, and law fields from the Arab region.

The program aims to boost technical and operational capacities of the region’s young talents interested in renewable energy and energy efficiency fields. The program recruits 12 interns every year on two rounds for a hands-on experience in the center’s research and analysis, policy briefs, technical assistance, and other related activities. The opportunity covers full travel and accommodation expenses in Cairo in addition to a monthly salary. APSEY calls for candidates twice every year; in January and July.

During the program, the interns develop sustainable energy knowledge and skills, work closely with leading technical experts from the region, acquire essential skills needed for future sustainable energy job markets, have access to various technical and administrative workshops and trainings, and interact with people from diversified cultures and experiences.

Arab Program For Sustainable Energy Youth (APSEY)

Project Impact:

• Creating a community for young energy professionals which serves our vision in raising the awareness and adoption of RE and EE in the region

• Serving our member states by developing the capacity of the youth who are committed to their countries• APSEY served as a career milestone for the alumni who pursued their dream jobs in the field and the region• The interns provide great support to RCREEE projects which consequently increase RCREEE ability to fulfill its vision

in supporting our member states


• Recruiting two interns from Lebanon and Bahrain for the first time in Round 6• Completion of APSEY Round 5 and 6• Winning a second grant from OFID to support the program 2017-2018• Hiring interns for Round 7

Funding Source Member States Partners: OFID

Period 2015 ongoing Contact Person: Noha Gamal [email protected]


Diesel2Solar

As part of the key result area of channeling increasing amounts of capital in the market into sustainable investments, RCREEE has collaborated with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) on the development of the Diesel to Solar (D2S) initiative in Egypt. The project aims at encouraging private investors to reduce their diesel consumption levels by integrating solar PV technology into already existing, often polluting and inefficient diesel-based systems. It identifies existing barriers to the deployment of solar PV technology and in developing effective and sustainable business models for its further penetration of the market. The initiative is additionally focused in forming public-private partnerships and conducting pilot projects in order to identify, experiment with and disseminate the most suitable business models.


• Issuing a study on D2S transformation in collaboration with UNDP.• Ongoing market assessment study for using solar PV in water pumping in Egypt with support of GIZ/

RE-Activate project.

Project Impact:

• Identification of untapped D2S market potential in different economic sectors such as agriculture, tourism, telecommunications, etc.

• Reduction of pollution levels and mitigating climate change.• Promoting investment in renewable energy.

Funding Source UNDP , RE-Activate Partners: UNDP , RE-Activate and

national institutions

Period 2015-2017Contact Person: Maged Mahmoud

Inass Abou [email protected]@rcreee.org


EgyptSEFF – Egypt Sustainable EnergyFinancing Facility

The Egypt Sustainable Energy Financing Facility (EgyptSEFF) is a credit line hosted in RCREEE dedicated to promote and finance energy efficiency and renewable energy investments. The initiative is a pioneer for Sustainable Energy Financing in Egypt and the first to finance energy efficiency projects in the country during the last 20 years of technical support provided by development finance institutions. It was developed by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) and managed by MWH Global and the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE). The first round, which serves as a pilot, is due for completion by March 2017 and Round 2 has been launched in November of 2016 with an overall budget of €140 million. The first round loans are available through the broad branch network of the National Bank of Egypt (NBE).

The combination of EBRD’s record success in international SEFF projects, together with the extensive technical experience of MWH and the local expertise of RCREEE have allowed EgyptSEFF to position itself as the most ideal partner for a growing number of enterprises in the Egyptian market. The possible grant component worth 10% or 15% of the borrowed amount to be paid after successful implementation of the project has fostered the attractiveness of the credit line so far. The provided investment grants depend on the type of the project and are supported by the Southern and Eastern Mediterranean (SEMED) Multi-Donor Account (MDA). EgyptSEFF channels its services through three main products: the fast-track project loan, assisted project loan and supplier loan. Financed amounts can cover up to 100% of the investment costs and can be provided in 3 currencies (EGP, USD and EUR) through flexible repayment periods of up to 5 years and absolutely at no commission fees.


• 1st phase implementation.• 2nd phase has been launched.

Project Impact:

• Pioneer in sustainable energy financing in Egypt.• First of its kind to finance energy efficiency projects in Egypt in the last 20 years.• Transfer of EBRD know-how by Egyptian staff on RE&EE financing, with the potential of future replication in the future.• Increasing the competitiveness of Egyptian firms.• Contributing to preserve the environment in the country.

Funding Source EBRD Partners: MHW, EBRD, NBE

Period 2015 ongoing Contact Person: Jose Luis Bobes [email protected]


Utilizing Solar Energy in Thermal IndustrialProcesses in Egypt (SHIP)

The United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) started in 2015 the 5-year programme Utilizing Solar Energy for Industrial Process Heat in Egyptian Industry (SHIP) together with the Egyptian Ministry of Industry, Trade and Small and Medium Enterprises. The project is funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) with the aim of building the capacity of the local supply chain for manufacturing solar thermal energy in Egypt, contributing to job creation and supporting entrepreneurship in the renewable energy sector. The programme includes several measures such as providing technical support to local manufacturers of solar process heat components to meet internationally recognized quality standards, facilitating and supporting companies in the process of accessing soft loans finance and offering trainings covering diverse topics from installation and maintenance, steam system optimization and entrepreneurship development. Within the SHIP framework, RCREEE has contributed to the development of the the roadmap of action in Egypt of this UNIDO project.


• SHIP Roadmap was developed for Egypt and for the 5 year UNIDO/GEF funded projects.• RCREEE delivered reports and lists that can define legalization, manufacturers and installers to develop the

the final road map report.

Project Impact:

• Collecting all legalization regarding solar heating in one document.• Development of a full directory of Solar Thermal key players in the Egyptian market with different ranges of

installments.• Contributing to find the untapped potential for the selected industries.

Funding Source UNIDO, ENCPC Partners: ENCPC, UNIDO, PSE

Period 2016 Contact Person: Assem Korayem [email protected]


Active Turbine Management Program (ATMP)

Wind energy generation can play an important role in the reduction of GHG emissions. However, wind energy developments require substantial infrastructure to be placed across a landscape and where these turbines are inappropriately placed, they may have a negative effect on birds. There is, therefore, a need to balance the risks and benefits and to minimize any adverse environmental effects.

RCREEE initiated the Active Turbine Management Program (ATMP) aiming to determine the optimum wind turbines operations periods during the heavy bird migratory seasons. ATMP is based on a scientific approach to manage 3GW cumulative capacity of wind power plants in Gulf of Suez, Egypt. This program aims to ensure the protection and risk mitigation of the environment while increasing the feasibility and the productivity of the wind turbines over the project lifetime.

RCREEE has succeeded in launching the study and providing an innovative coordinating and executing strategic framework among public and private stakeholders, including three governmental institutions (the New and Renewable Energy Authority (NREA), the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency (EEAA) and the Egyptian Electricity Transmission Company (EETC)) by firstly releasing a protocol to facilitate cooperation among relevant stakeholders and secondly signing cost sharing agreements with 14 international wind developers. The baseline ATMP study is under development and it will be updated yearly during the first 5 years of the wind power plant project lifetime. During the subsequent 15 years, ATMP will be functioning based on prosperous zoning and mapping of spatio-temporal bird migration routes.

Project Impact:

• Provision of an innovative coordinating and executing strategic framework among public and private stakeholders.• With the elaboration of the protocol, RCREEE succeeded in harmonizing the government, private sector, and lenders’

efforts through a faster and smoother administrative process where all efforts were focused on transforming the Gulf of Suez area of 797 km2 into one single plot. It encouraged international developers to continue with their wind projects with minimal costs and risks.

• The program has largely served as a cost saving measure and contributed to the creation of economies of scale. Before this initiative, investors were required to conduct their own environmental impact assessments and bird monitoring for six seasons before construction. Developers were obliged to shut down wind turbines for 25% of annual operating hours during the heavy bird migration, which is clearly a non-economic solution.


• Launch of the field bird monitoring in April 2016 and September 2016.• Reception of two deliverables: Inception Report and first Progress report.• Securing the payment from the different partners.

Funding SourceEgyptian Government and Private Investors

Partners: NREA, EEAA and EETC

Period 2 years Contact Person: Ahmed BadrAli Khazma



RCREEE is in charge of hosting the German-led initiative RE-ACTIVATE in Egypt and assisting its implementation in the country. The program is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) with the aim of supporting partner countries in the MENA region, particularly Morocco, Tunisia and Egypt, making targeted use of the socio-economic effects of sustainable energies. The project focuses on above average labour-intensive applications, particularly in the sectors of energy efficiency in buildings, industry and agriculture, as well as on decentralized energy generation, especially by means of photovoltaics, solar thermal energy and wind energy. RE-ACTIVATE partners with the respective national responsible state institutions, representatives of businesses and associations, educational and research institutions and actors involved in international cooperation.

RE-ACTIVATE in Egypt focuses especially in realizing the potential of decentralized PV applications and in empowering the private sector in order to complement the current focus of the Egyptian government on utility-scale renewable energy power plants. Making use of their knowledge and experience of the local and national context, RCREEE’s two full time experts working for RE-ACTIVATE are in charge of managing and executing the program in the country while proactively providing suggestions and recommendations to successfully reach program milestones. As part of its activities, RE-ACTIVATE has developed the infographics visualization tool: Mapping of Administrative and Permitting Procedures Related to Solar PV Project Development, and contributed in partnership with UNDP to the Diesel2Solar project in Egypt. On the regional level, RE-Activate supports RCREEE initiative for establishing a quality scheme for credentialing of training service providers and certification of practitioners. Further, several regional conference and workshops are organized tackling the RE/EE employment and value creation aspects.

RE-ACTIVATE


• Final draft of several chapters of the practical guide “Technical Manual on Solar PV and Solar Thermal Applications for the Hotel Sector in the MENA Region” has been finalized.

• A customized website has been launched to serve as a reference to all studies and publications related to solar PV pumping: http://raseed-rcreee.com/

• Ongoing market assessment study for using PV energy in water pumping in Egypt.• Successful co-organization of 4 regional workshops in four different regional and international RE&EE events; -Socio-Economic Benefits of RE at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES), -Socio-economic benefits of Sustainable Energy at Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ARFREEE) -”PV Quality Assurance” as a side event of the Arab Ministerial Council Meeting -A side event on “Quality for Training Policies Processes and Good Practices” and a session on “Quality Building for Consumer Confidence” at the International Beirut Energy Forum (IBEF) and the Arab Ministerial Council meeting)

Project Impact:

• Reduction of pollution levels and fighting climate change.

• Creation of jobs.• Tap regional and international investment opportunities.• Open new communication channels between private and public sectors.

Funding Source GIZ Partners: GIZ

Period 2015-2017 Contact Person:

Maged MahmoudRim BoukhchinaRana El-GuindyInass Abou Khodier

[email protected]@[email protected] [email protected]


Project Impact:• Simplify highly complex processes and information into visual and communicative materials as means of time and

cost saving measures.• The Arabic version of this guiding document and visualization tool is meant to expand the scope and reach to a wide

range of people, also by making it accessible online.

RE-ACTIVATE – Infographics: Mapping of Administrative and PermittingProcedures related to Solar PV Project Development

The feed-in-tariff (FiT) support scheme in Egypt has generated significant interest from project developers, equipment suppliers and financiers. However, the administrative and permitting procedures of the FiT were still evolving with many aspects remaining unclear. Filling the gap between the development of such processes from the side of governments or other institutions and the effective understanding of these by the relevant stakeholders is the purpose of the Infographics initiative started by RCREEE within the framework of its RE-ACTIVATE Program.

The aim of this task is to provide a comprehensive information package to developers and investors which includes a visualization map and a guiding document of the administrative and permitting procedure for FIT related to project development for solar PV projects. This information package can be used as a reference by the public agencies and project developers, which includes explanations of the various steps within the administrative process for:

• Solar PV projects above 500 kW and

• Solar PV projects up to 500 kW

Furthermore, renewable energy equipment benefits from reduced custom clearance in Egypt. However, solar PV wholesalers and system integrators have found it difficult to benefit from this reduction due to the lack of clarity and complexity of the administrative procedures related to this reduction and given the continuous changes in these procedures. This situation has resulted in major disparities in the solar PV marketplace, as smaller companies were not able to benefit from the exemption.

A comprehensive information package on import PV equipment and systems has been developed, which includes a guiding document highlighting related steps and requirements to facilitate the import process by wholesalers and system investigators.


• Guiding document for the FiT scheme for large scale solar PV projects above 500 kW.• Visualization tool for the FiT scheme for large scale solar PV projects above 500 kW.• Guiding document for the FiT scheme for large scale solar PV projects up to 500 kW.• Visualization tool for the FiT scheme for large scale solar PV projects up to 500 kW.

Funding Source RE-ACTIVATE Partners: RE-ACTIVATE

Period 2015-2017 Contact Person: Inass Abou Khodier [email protected]


Investment in Capacity Development


Investment in Capacity Development

A major pillar of RCREEE’s work and purpose of existence is the organization and participation in key conferences, value-added workshops and trainings, as well as the creation of synergies with partner organizations by undertaking Knowledge Exchange Missions. All of this comes after the understanding that people are ultimately the factor enabling change, and it is only through the smart bridging of initiatives and coordination of efforts with partner institutions that the vision of a widespread use of renewable energy and energy efficiency technologies in the Arab region can turn from an idea into a reality.

The figure below presents the event typology in which the organizational efforts of RCREEE are directed.

While recognizing the value-added of all, conferences, workshops, technical trainings and knowledge exchange missions, RCREEE recognizes the potential of networking as a pre-requisite for further bridging the Arab region, a goal that is mostly materialized through the organization of conferences (which earns 41% of RCREEE’s efforts), followed by the organization of national and regional workshops.


National and Regional Workshops

Events Date Location

1- Solar Heating in Industrial Processes Workshop 20 March Cairo, Egypt

2- National WS on NEEAP: Efforts coordination 14-15 April Ain Sokhna, Egypt

3- The Socio-Economic Benefits of Sustainable Energy: Opportunities, Approaches and Instruments for Local Value and Employment Promotion through RE and EE in MENA

31 May Cairo, Egypt

4- Egyptian NEEAP WS: The Arab EE guideline to improve energy efficiency and conservation measures to the final consumer

08 August Cairo, Egypt

5- The Validation WS on Strategy Document and Action Plan 17-19 Sept. Cairo, Egypt

6- iBEF: The Socio-Economic Benefits of Sustainable Energy: Quality in Training and Education

22 Sept. Beirut, Lebanon

7- 2nd IEA-SHC Task 57 Expert meeting and SHAMCI 5th network meeting & workshop

24-25 Oct. Cairo, Egypt

Technical Trainings


1- Bahrain RE and EE Seminar 28-30 March Manama, Bahrain

2- Smart Grids and RE Integration training 25-30 April Granada, Spain

3- Solar Med Atlas: Train the Trainer WS - English 14-17 Feb. Amman, Jordan

4- Solar Med Atlas: Train the Trainer WS - French 22-25 Feb. Tunis, Tunisia

Conferences


1- Launching strategic initiative ATMP 06 Jan. Cairo, Egypt

2- The Socio-Economic Benefits of Renewable Energy 20 Jan. Abu Dhabi, UAE

3- Strategic Initiative to Control wind turbines: Government and Private Sector 18 Feb Cairo, Egypt

4- Transition into Sustainable Energies: Economic, Social and Political Perspectives WS 22-25 Feb. Tunis, Tunisia

5- MENAREC 6 4-6 April Kuwait

6- PPA Support and Stakeholders Consultation 19 April Tunis, Tunisia

7- 3rd Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ARFREEE) 1-2 June Cairo, Egypt

8- iBEF: Session on Consumer Confidence in RE/EE Applications 21-23 Sept. Beirut, Lebanon

9- COP 22 Side Event 09 Nov. Marrakesh, Morocco

Knowledge Exchange Missions


1- Knowledge Exchange and Training WS on RE Investment Promotion for Djibouti and Mauritania

25-29 June Cairo, Egypt

2- Knowledge Exchange Mission on design and draft of the PPA for the 1st large scale wind farm tender with the Lebanese Center for Energy Conservation

8-9 December Beirut, Lebanon


Communications and International Affairs


Outreach Section

2016 witnessed a huge improvement in RCREEE communications and outreach activities. Through adopting new techniques and engagement tools, we managed to enlarge our network of various stakeholders and familiarize them with RCREEE’s mission and projects. This was reflected in the number of partnership queries, new cooperation leads and media requests.

Moreover, RCREEE organized and co-organized 22 regional events, meetings and knowledge exchange missions. These events allowed RCREEE to present latest RE and EE developments, updates and initiatives both in the Arab region and globally. RCREEE also built on these activities to build new business relations and offer its member states customized technical assistance.

Utilizing its leadership skills and team expertise, RCREEE participated in 30 international and regional events such as the IRENA Assembly, WFES, Solar Power North Africa International Summit, Global Solar Leaders and COP 22. These events allowed RCREEE to share insights on RE and EE future in the region and enhance north-south and south-south cooperation.

Key outreach events:

International Beirut Energy Forum 2016

RCREEE continued supporting one of the region’s remarkable events, the 7th International Beirut Energy Forum. The event is organized under the patronage of the Lebanese Minister of Energy and Water and attracts high level attendees and decision makers. During the forum, RCREEE co-organized a side event on the quality for training policies processes and good practices. In addition, RCREEE co-organized a panel session on quality building for consumer confidence.

Results:• Receive a distinguished award as “Energy Ambassador of 2016” (Regional institutions category)• Promote RCREEE activities and projects on a regional scale • Boost RCREEE support to regional events that reinforces the usage of RE & EE in the MENA region• Promote RCREEE in the local Lebanese media

Transition into Sustainable Energies: Economic, Social and Political Perspectives Conference

In cooperation with the Friedrich Ebert Stiftung (FES), RCREEE co-organized a conference on the transition into sustainable energies in Cairo, Egypt. The conference discussed the sustainable energy position among the decision makers’ priorities, and the opportunities and barriers of financing sustainable energies. Reputable sustainable energy officials, academia, civil society representatives and energy experts attended the event.

Results:• Launch of the first strategic and operational framework protocol for the evaluation of environmental impacts, bird

monitoring program and Active Turbine Management Program (ATMP) of wind turbines in the Gulf of Suez.• Promote RCREEE through coverage in local media channels

Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency 2016 (ARFREEE)

RCREEE in cooperation with the League of Arab States (LAS), ESCWA, MED-ENEC, the Ministry of Electricity and Renewable Energy- Egypt, GIZ, Egyptera and the Arab Electricity Regulators co-organized the 3rd Arab Forum for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ARFREEE). The forum addressed the current challenges towards energy market transformation and transition in the Arab region.

Additionally, RCREEE and RE-ACTIVATE organized a side event on “The Socio-Economic Benefits of Sustainable Energy: Opportunities, Approaches and Instruments for Local Value and Employment Promotion through Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency in the Middle East and North Africa”.

Results:• Strengthen strategic alliance with LAS as a key regional partner• Organize an exhibition for Arab companies and organizations• Create a platform for regional companies to meet stakeholders and key decision makers.


RCREEE has throughout the past year signed three new MoUs, and with it strengthened its ties with key organizations in the region. The signed MoUs have been with the following organizations:1. League of Arab States (LAS) on June 16th 20162. European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD) on July 16th 20163. United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) signed on November 16th 2016.

A key part of RCREEE’s growing strategy is the identification of potential synergies existing with partner organizations, for which specific cooperation agreements are identified and signed for specific projects and initiatives. Throughout this year, RCREEE has strengthened its ties with the following organizations:

1. REEE Platform at the UfM: The Union for the Mediterranean has launched the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Platform at the COP22 in Marrakesh in November 2016, an initiative that has been established by RCREEE in partnership with MEDENER and RES4MED.2. Agreement on the reception of a second grant from OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) to support the APSEY program in the 2017-2018 round.3. Further bridging RCREEE with its partner organizations LAS, IRENA, World Bank, UNDP and GIZ through the implementation of a diversity of projects.

International Cooperation


RCREEE Website

RCREEE website (rcreee.org) is the main channel where all activities are communicated to the public. The website is updated regularly with RCREEE projects, publications and news. All the website content is available in both Arabic and English.

Network and Newsletter subscribers

With the global shift to sustainable energy sources, RCREEE continues to build awareness among various stakeholders on latest sustainable development in the Arab regions. For the fourth year, RCREEE has disseminated its bilingual newsletter (MENAwatts) on a monthly basis.

To ensure the effectiveness of our marketing campaign, RCREEE regularly updates its CRM system. By the end of 2016, RCREEE subscribers database increased by 7%.

Social Media Marketing

Social media is one of the key tools used by RCREEE to expand its reach, increase and engage with interested parties. RCREEE social media channels assists in creating awareness of publications, activities and reaching a larger audience in the energy sector. This year with numbers campaigns RCREEE social media reach increased by 33%.

Media Coverage

Over the course of 2016, RCREEE held three press conference and published 7 press releases in cooperation with different partners such as EBRD, AUC, OFID and others. In addition to the outreach events, RCREEE experts were also interviewed by global media. This active presence increased RCREEE coverage to 282 in local, regional and international outlets. Such news outlets included Thomson Reuters Zawya, Palestine news network, Arab Finance, Khaleej Times, MENAFN, Lebanon files, Kuwait times, Bahrain News Agency, Ansa Med, Saudi News, PV Magazine and the Financial.

Communication


RCREEE’s Financial Brief


Revenues 2016 (Euros)

Details Opening Balance 1-1-2016 Planned Actual Ratio

(Actual/Planned)Ratio

(Actual/Total)

Donors

1- German Granted 1500 100000 0 0.00% 0.00%

2- Second German Granted 1800 100000 173005 173.01% 14.11%

Member States Contributions 47200 675000 270598 40.09% 22.07%

Third Party Contracts 561600 600000 782295 130.38% 63.81%

Total 612100 1475000 1225898 83.11%

Detailed Expenditures 2016 (Euros)

Expenses item Strategic Department

Technical & Projects

Department

Finance & Operations

DepartmentsTotal Planned Actual/

Planned

Salaries and Benefits

Total Salaries & Benefits 219176.00 377933.44 113094.84 710204.28 891700.00 80%

Operating & Other Expenses

Meetings , Workshops and Courses 46633.97 72773.15 5539.11 124946.23 322000.00 39%

Travel and Accommodation Costs 10757.43 67686.39 6383.12 84826.94 126000.00 67%

Contractual services 6055.91 190199.55 19269.51 215524.97 402000.00 54%

General operating Expenses 1293.49 16578.06 31877.07 49748.62 94300 53%

Fixed Assets 0.00 0.00 704.6 704.60 20000 4%

Total Operating & Other Expenses 64740.80 347237.15 63773.41 475751.36 964300.00 49%

Grand Total 283916.80 725170.59 176868.25 1185955.64 1856000.00 64%

Department Expenditure/Total Expenditure 24% 61% 15%

Third Party Revenues 2016 (Euros)

Contractor Name Project Name Amount (EURO)

DLR Solar Med Atlas 31494

UNEP SHAMCI 144319

REN21 Mitigation Coalition Report 2016 3000

IRENA PACE 13729

WORLD BANK Different cooperation assignments 99576

ECA Regional: SEMED Energy Efficiency Policiy Dialogue Framework 6000

UNDP AFEX 24582

OFID APSEY 39412

EBRD & MWH EgyptSEFF 118435

UNIDO SHIP 20063

Wind project ATMP 219863

Exhibitors & Sponsors ARFREEE 42004

LCEC The financial mechanism system promoting Energy Efficiency in Lebanon and its replicability in the Arab region (FMSEE) 3166

FES Different cooperation assignments 16651

Total 782294


Cash flow (Euros)

Details 2016 2015

Opening Balance 612100 287630

Cash In

Donors 173532 549174

Member states 270000 300000

Service contract 851124 960957

Total Cash In 1294656 1810131

Cash Out

Salaries and benefits 732611.98 818713

Activities & Other EXP 456650.02 666848

Total Cash Out 1189262 1485561

Total Cash remaining 717494 612200

Accruals

End of Services 47000 -39000

Accrual for services providrs -258745.95 -58000

Accrual from Third party 359874.18 150000

Total Accrual 148128.23 148128.23 53000 53000

Gross Cash Available 865622.23 665200

Strategic reserve -270000 -180000

Net Cash Available 595622.23 485200


Publications of the Year


One of the key areas of work of RCREEE are the publication of research and analysis studies, which are either elaborated in collaboration with our partners or relying on internal resources. Among these, as explained earlier on the Projects Chapter, account the “Diesel2Solar Transformation” report developed with UNDP, RCREEE’s contribution to IRENA’s “Planning for the Renewable Future” report, as well as RCREEE’s flagship project Arab Future Energy Index 2016, among others.

As part of the GIZ regional project RE-ACTIVATE Program, the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) developed two guidelines with detailed administrative procedures of the Egyptian solar PV Feed-in-Tariff for small and large-scale projects. In addition, RCREEE and RE-ACTIVATE developed an info-graphic, which outlines the process of qualification of both large and small-scale solar PV plants.

Diesel2Solar Transformation: goo.gl/MSaHyj

Planning for the Renewable Future IRENA: goo.gl/f4XCiX

AFEX: goo.gl/zsYbH4

Guideline Large Scale EN: goo.gl/W9rktD

Visualization tool Large Scale EN: goo.gl/63xfES

Guideline Small Scale EN: goo.gl/jQUY2a

Visualization Small Scale EN: goo.gl/tus9kG

Visualization map for Egyptian Solar PV Feed-in-Tariff Procedures

for Small Scale Projects

Visualization map for Egyptian Solar PV Feed-in-Tariff Procedures for large Scale Projects


Documents

About RCREEE 6...About RCREEE 6 1. RCREEE, a Living Organization 7 2. RCREEE’s Projects in 2016 13 2.1.National Action Plans Support and Monitoring and Arab Renewable Energy Framework