Progress report for
Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE)
Achievement at a glance
Since 2014 laudable progress has been achieved and the partnership has proven to be durable and genuine in line with the SAMOA Pathway and good practice of energy multilateralism. The complex technical and political establishment process of PCREEE was successfully completed by UNIDO in partnership with SPC and SIDS DOCK.The Second Meeting of Pacific Ministers of Energy and Transport, held from 2 to 4 April 2014, in Nadi, Fiji, endorsed the establishment of the PCREEE. Based on a competitive selection process, the offer of the Government of the Kingdom Tonga to host the centre in Nuku'alofa was accepted. PCREEE is co-hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC). The inauguration ceremony of PCREEE took place on 26 April 2017 in conjunction with the meeting of the Pacific Ministers for Energy and Transport, which took place between 24 to 28 April 2017 in Nuku'alofa.
After the first operational phase and in line with the GN-SEC model, the centre has become independent and operates today within the decision and policy framework of SPC. The day-to-day management and decision-making authority is delegated to the Manager and a Steering Committee. The centre operates through a network of national focal institutions (NFIs) and thematic hubs (THs). Moreover, the staff of the centre works partly from Tonga and partly within the SPC Energy Programme in Suva, Fiji. PCREEE is an active member of the GN-SEC platform of UNIDO and participates in the regular Steering Committee meetings.
Initial core funding was provided by the Government of Austria through the Ministry of European and International Affairs (BMEIA) and Austrian Development Agency (ADA), as well as the Spanish Government. In the meantime, the centre has established additional funding partnerships with BMZ, GIZ, EU and USAID.
The PCREEE has the official SPC mandate to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency investments, markets and industries in PICTs. It provides action-oriented services to a broad range of public and private partners and clients. The centre is an implementing partner of the SPC Energy Programme.
PCREEE supports activities with high relevance for the domestic private sector and industry. Through regional methodologies and tools, the centre assists PICTs to address barriers and strengthen drivers for sustainable energy markets, industries and innovation. The centre represents an innovative fusion of regional and international efforts and capabilities. Its design leverages a network of intra and extra regional partnerships, serving as a “hub” for knowledge and technical expertise on matters related to sustainable energy project development and implementation.
Currently, the PCREEE is implementing its new Business Plan covering the period 2020 to 2030. PCREEE will focus on four strategic programmes:
1. RE&EE business start-up, entrepreneurship and innovation support program;
2. regional e-vehicles (EV) readiness program aiming to prepare PICTs for the EV uptake and integrated power systems;
3. A renewable energy mini-grid programme for the PICTs, designed for PCREEE to overcome identified gaps in the market;
4. Energy efficiency investments aimed at enhancing the competitiveness of manufacturing industries in PICTs;
Under the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC), the PCREEE works closely with the ECOWAS Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (ECREEE), the Caribbean Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CCREEE), SICA Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SICREEE), the SADC Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (SACREEE) and the Central African Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (CEREEAC).
PCREEE and the GN-SEC were highlighted in several UN and OECD reports as best practice examples for energy multilateralism, public good and south-south and triangular cooperation.
The centre is an important infrastructure in the support of the green and blue economy aspirations of Pacific SIDS. In the context of the COVID-19 caused economic downturn, debt escalation and rapidly increasing climate adaptation costs, PCREEE has an important role to reduce stress on national fiscal households by reducing fossil fuel import spending.
Challenges faced in implementation
A particular challenge is the long-term financial sustainability of the centre. There is openness of international partners to support technical activities but reluctance to support staff and core costs of the centre.Next Steps
During the next years, the centre will expand its operations and also its south-south and triangular cooperation activities with the other centres of the Global Network of Regional Sustainable Energy Centres (GN-SEC).Beneficiaries
The PCREEE serves twenty-two (22) Pacific Islands and Territories (PICTs). The main direct beneficiaries of the created regional centre are the key institutional players of the energy sector. The final beneficiaries are households and businesses, which benefit from more affordable, reliable and clean energy services. The reduction of fossil fuel import spending will free-up resources for essential social sectors, climate adaptation and economic diversification.
Actions
PCREEE has achieved important progress, to the benefit of SIDS. For example, PCREEE and UNIDO have developed regional policy framework and program on electric mobility for the Pacific and provide implementation support for national actions.Another example are the Pacific Regional Energy Data Repository established by SPC with support of international and regional partners, including PCREEE. It provides data and information on the renewable energy and energy efficiency status and concrete investment opportunities in SIDS.
In support of young local cleantech start-ups and entrepreneurs, PCREEE has launched a dedicated sustainable energy entrepreneurship facility. The PCREEE Sustainable Energy Research Support Fund is being implemented in cooperation with the University of the South Pacific (USP) and provides support for R&D with high relevance for the local business and industry sector.
In 2021, UNIDO and SIDS DOCK launched the "Online Capacity Building Program on Sustainable Energy Solutions for Islands" under the GN-SEC. Composed of nine modules, the online training programme offers in-depth knowledge and practical exams on the following energy issues and technologies: solar photovoltaics, solar thermal, ocean energy, bioenergy, energy efficiency and thermal optimization in buildings, mini-grids, energy storage, e-mobility and climate change. The courses are free-of-charge and island experts can participate either through self-learning or guided training. Currently, the programme is available in English, Portuguese and Spanish. The course also applies a train-the-trainer approach, which helps national institutes to incorporate the tool into their curricula and contributes to the sustainability of the initiative. The course is available at: http://training.gn-sec.net.