Abu Dhabi seminar to focus on risk analysis with a view of financing solar-cooling projects

As part of the TREE project (Transfer Renewable Energy & Efficiency), the Renewables Academy Berlin (RENAC) will on November 7 and 8 organise a seminar on the financing of projects on solar thermal, solar cooling and energy efficiency in buildings, at the Hotel Crowne Plaza Yas Island.

The seminar is for investors, project developers, decision makers and engineers. According to the organisers, participants will receive an overview of the technology and in-depth knowledge of their costs. There will be a focus on risk analysis and evaluation in order to make intelligent financial decisions. Participants are expected from the United Arab Emirates and MENA countries, the organisers added.

RENAC will, from November 2 to 4, conduct another seminar, on solar thermal plants.

Since the TREE project began in 2008, it has been providing support to build a sustainable energy supply through capacity building and transfer of expertise in developing and emerging countries. Participating countries in 2010 are the signatory countries to IRENA, and the 14 participating countries from TREE 2008 and 2009. According to the organisers, so far, the project has trained more than 600 participants from various ministries, research institutions, companies or NGOs; including many participants from the UAE and the MENA region.

According to the organisers, the aim of the seminars in Abu Dhabi is to impart key stakeholders with the relevant knowledge for the rapid expansion of clean energy. The UAE have set itself the goal of producing seven per cent of electricity from renewable energy sources by 2020. To achieve that objective, the organisers feel, it is particularly important to train local professionals who are involved in the development and implementation of projects.

The TREE project is funded by the International Climate Change Initiative of the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU), following a decision of the German Bundestag. The project was awarded in the framework of the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development and is a partner of the Sustainable Energy Europe Campaign of the EU.