The strategic assessment of the status of renewable energy in the EBRD countries of operation is provided by the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD).  The objective is to identify existing and proposed renewable energy projects in the EBRD region, and to provide information for developers of renewable energy projects which may qualify for EBRD financing. 

 

Objective:

The objective of this assignment is the establishment and maintenance of the EBRD renewables website.  The main output of the assignment is this web page, including an up-to-date database of renewable energy projects and policies in the COO.  The website will incorporate current news, consultant reports, and other information sources to maintain the information in the website database. 

 

Funding has been provided by USAID.

 

This website is maintained by Black & Veatch as part of an EBRD consultancy.

 

Background: 

The Bank’s countries of operation comprise the transition economies located throughout Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union (FSU). The region is still dependent on fossil and nuclear fuels for its electricity. According to the US Energy Information Agency, 6 percent of the total energy consumed in the EBRD COO came from renewable energy sources in 1999. Hydropower makes up the vast majority of this consumption, with geothermal and biomass energy contributing a small amount. Energy from wind and solar sources is practically negligible.

 

Nonetheless, there are high quality renewable resources in the region, and the opportunity to develop clean, sustainable, and economically viable projects is present. Recognizing this, the Energy Operations Policy of EBRD identified the need for a strategic assessment of renewable energy potential in the Bank’s COO, with a view to identify investment opportunities in this sector. EBRD contracted Black & Veatch to carry out the first stage of this assessment.

 

After the completion of that assessment, it was concluded that a central database for information on renewable energy projects and policy would benefit renewable energy development in the COO.  The EBRD Renewables website was created in the Spring of 2005 to include up to date information on renewable energy projects, proposals, and policies in the COO.