Algerria is set to host African and European experts on Renewable Energy Reaserch Innovation Programme.

The first Africa-EU Symposium on Renewable Energy Research and Innovation taking place from 8 to 10 of March 2016 will be jointly organised by the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP), the Pan African University Institute for Water and Energy Sciences (PAUWES), and University of Belkaïd Abou Bekr Tlemcen.

The Africa-EU Renewable Energy
African and European experts, public sector representatives, business associations and NGOs will travel to Tlemcen in Algeria to attend the event, which will be hosted at the University Abou Bekr Belkaid.

Building local capacities and promoting applied research are essential pillars in the development, promotion, and dissemination of renewable energies in Africa.

However, while an increasing number of academic institutions in Africa are dedicated to renewable energy research, the exposure to the international scientific community, as well as access to available support mechanisms and funds remain limited.

In his comments, Project Manager at EUEI PDF, Niklas Hayek, stated that: “We hope that the research symposium will help foster research dialogue between African and European renewable energy experts, promote Africa-EU academic networking and research cooperation and share information on available research platforms and funds.”

Topics to be discussed at the event include, enabling policies to promote renewable energies; financial mechanisms to extend penetration of renewable energies; promoting energy-efficient attitudes among the general public; and energy technology for water purification and food cooking among others.

Rector of the University of TlemcenProf. Mustapha Djafour said, “Africa has the potential to be a leader in renewable energy. This event will increase connections between its research community and the global renewable energy community. We believe that this Symposium will lead to joint research projects between European and African institutions, projects which will provide an essential link between research and market needs, and concretize useful research for sustainable development that will create new business start-ups and employment.”