Egypt has established a US$30 million centre for renewable energy for the Middle East and North Africa {MENA}.

The Regional Centre of Excellence for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency, located at Nasser City, Cairo, was opened last week {25 June} at a ceremony in Cairo.

It is supported by grants of US$11 million from the European Unionthrough the European Investment Bank and the European Commission inEgypt, US$9.5 million from the German Agency for Technical Cooperationand US$3 million from the Danish International Development Agency. TheEgyptian Ministry of Electricity and Energy is contributing US$6.3million.

The centre will carry out research on renewable energy, including the testing of solar and wind power technologies.

It will provide consultancy services to governments and privatecompanies, promote knowledge and technology transfer between companiesand governments in the region and the North, and run trainingprogrammes to help set up technologies around the region.

The centre will also have direct contact with research centres inEurope dealing with renewable energy and take part in formulatingpolicies related to renewable energy.

The initial grants from the Egyptian and European governments willsupport the scientific activities for the next five years, says FathyAmeen Mohammad, vice chairman for projects, operations and maintenanceat Egypt`s New & Renewable Energy Authority. After this period thecentre should be able to finance itself through its consultancy andtraining services.

The centre will be governed by a board including representativesfrom member countries including Algeria, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya,Morocco, Palestine, Syria, Tunisia and Yemen. This board will guide thecentre to promote plans for renewable energy in the region as well ashelping the private sector to invest in renewable energy.

Wael Hmaidan, executive director of the Lebanon-based environmentalgroup IndyAct {The League of Independent Activists} says, "If we coveronly one per cent of the Arabian Desert with concentrated solar powertechnology, we can produce enough electricity to power the wholeplanet".

Hmaidan adds that the region`s strategic location increasesthe importance of its renewable energy potential. "Situated in themiddle of the old world, between Europe, Africa and Asia, we can supplysolar electricity through efficient high-voltage lines to all threecontinents," he says.