Find below the most interesting news from the last months from South East Asia and the Pacific:

Microfinance to promote renewable – Reducing fossil fuelConventional energy from fossil sources, such as natural gas and oil. This type of energy contributes to climate change and because of its finite nature it is not a permanent resource. dependence in the Pacific Islands
The Pacific Renewable EnergyRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. and Microfinance (PREM) Project is looking for a small victory – to wean Pacific Islanders off kerosene. Although many poor people are not well placed to invest in new technology, a solution in many of these areas is being provided by microfinance institutions (MFIsSeveral banks and funds that lend to developing countries are also identified as multilateral development institutions, and are often grouped together as other Multilateral Financial Institutions (MFIs). The differ from the MDBs in a more narrow ownership/membership structure or in focusing on ...) that are keen to take on lending for energyThe ability to perform work, mainly kinetic, potential, thermal energy, but also in forms of gravitational, sound, elastic and electromagnetic energy. services. Have a look on the REEEPThe Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) is a non-profit, specialist change agent aiming to catalyse the market for renewable energy and energy efficiency, with a primary focus on emerging markets and developing countries. webseite for more details.

Tonga Energy RoadmapA roadmap is a plan that matches short-term and long-term goals with specific technology solutions to help meet those goals. It is a plan that applies to a new product or process, or to an emerging technology Developing a roadmap has three major uses. It helps reach a consensus about a set of ... website goes live
The Government of Tonga has set up a website for the Tonga Energy Roadmap, to which REEEP is a partner. The website contains information relating to the background of the roadmap, the technical studies that have been produced as part of the roadmap and the detail of the process as Tonga moves to a final approved plan for Tonga’s future energy needs and how they will be met.

Pacific renewable energy kerosene replacement project
This successful REEEP project has come to an end. The project, implemented by Barefoot PowerUseful energy can be mechanical energy, for example powering a fan., aimed to reduce the key financial and technical barriers to the uptake of small renewable energy systemsRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. by rural villages in the Pacific with a goal to develop a strategy to transfer existing kerosene expenditure towards new investments in renewable energy and energy efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. technologies. The project raised awareness of the market size for small-scale renewable energy projects in the Pacific, the different technological alternatives to kerosene and the positive returns possible when investing in these projects. >> download the final report

REEEP releases new report: Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030
An enormous amount of energy is wasted when converting fossil fuelsConventional energy from fossil sources, such as natural gas and oil. This type of energy contributes to climate change and because of its finite nature it is not a permanent resource. to energy services such as light, heatHeat is a form of energy. Ways to convert it into useful energy are described in the field of thermo-dynamics., and mobility. Due to the inherent efficiencyUsing less energy/electricity to perform the same function. Programs designed to use electricity more efficiently - doing the same with less. of most renewable energy technologies relative to fossil fuels, renewable energy does not need to replace fossil fuels on a one to one basis. The energy lossesEnergy efficiency will reduce energy losses which make up a chunk of the primary energy we need. Especially the transport sector is inefficient; on average, an engine of a typical gasoline car looses more than 60% of its energy, more is lost on accessories and idle stand-by and only 15% are ... associated with fossil fuels can be side-stepped through the use of renewable energy, providing the same level of energy services with far less primary energyPrimary energy describes the primary energy content of raw wood, crude oil or coal. Units usually are Joule and toe (tonnes of oil equivalent).. In turn, improvements in energy efficiency make it easier, cheaper, and faster for renewablesRenewable energy is power generated from infinite sources, such as wind or solar power. Conventional energy is generated from finite sources, such as natural gas or fossil oil. to achieve a large share of total energy production, while also rapidly reducing greenhouse gasesGreenhouse gas emissions cause dangerous anthropogenic climate change. Emissions include CO2, fluoridated gases, methane which are emitted by human activity such as deforestation and burning fossil fuels, and water vapour. and other emissionsEmissions of greenhouse gases, greenhouse gas precursors, and aerosols associated with human activities, including the burning of fossil fuels, deforestation, land-use changes, livestock, fertilisation, etc. (IPCC) associated with energy use. >> download the report “Renewable Revolution: Low-Carbon Energy by 2030″

Access to Sustainable Energy Services via Innovative Financing
REEEP releases 7 case studies exemplifying the possibilities of pro-poor financing mechanisms for renewable energy and energy efficiency. These case studies provide examples of how small amounts of well targeted REEEP funding can be used to transform the lives of the poor. >> download the case studies

REEEP outlines low-carbon regulation challenges at the World Future Energy Summit
Developing countries face a particular set of challenges in regulating low-carbon energy. In most countries, the public sector is the major energy player, and their energy reforms are generally incomplete. This is compounded by a lack of human and institutional capacity. Off-gridA grid is a network of transmission lines, usually to distribute electric power . solutions, the best hope for the 1.46 billion people estimated to have no energy accessEnergy access represents a crucial yet often overlooked dimension to the issue of poverty. Relatively small amounts of energy can satisfy the basic needs of rural populations and have a dramatic impact on quality of life. Despite this, approximately 3 billion people , half the worlds population, ... in 2008, are hampered by the fact that regulation focuses heavily on on-grid, electricityA form of energy having magnetic, radiant and chemical effects. Electric current is created by a flow of electrons. regulation. >> read more