EU supports renewable energy in Cape Verde

The EU is supporting a cluster of islands in the central Atlantic Ocean to develop renewable energy. Part of a €55 million (£45m) fund to help the economic development of […]

The EU is supporting a cluster of islands in the central Atlantic Ocean to develop renewable energy.

Part of a €55 million (£45m) fund to help the economic development of Cape Verde, 500km off the coast of Senegal will go towards green energy.

The European Commission is launching a new programme on energy co-operation – which will cover the whole of Africa – to be based in the Cape Verde.

The country has an ambitious target of getting 50% renewable energy in the electricity mix by 2020.

Electricity prices in Cape Verde are “sky high” and the country has no fossil fuel resources, according to the European Commission.

Andris Piebalgs, EU Development Commissioner said: “Energy in Cape Verde is crucial, for education and healthcare, for growth, tourism and even for the supply of water. In short, renewable energy is the country’s main route towards growth and development.

“That’s why our new Technical Facility is so important – by providing expertise and innovative solutions it will help to utilise abundant renewable resources such as wind and sun to give people on all of Cape Verde’s islands reliable and cost-effective access to electricity and modern energy services through renewable energy.”

Funding for the Technical Assistance Facility for the Sustainable Energy for All programme will be provided between now and 2020.

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