Catania, 5 March 2018 – The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) will gather over 250 participants in Catania, Italy from 13-15 March 2018 for the 4^th edition of the ARE Energy Access Investment Forum organised in partnership with Renewable Energy Solutions for the Mediterranean and Africa (RES4MED&Africa) and the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme (RECP).
The ARE Energy Access Investment Conference Day on 13 March 2018 aims to provide participants with a comprehensive view of the clean-energy sector policy framework and key industry trends to foster the integration of remote communities into emerging economies around the world.
Marcus Wiemann, ARE Executive Director: “The event will also be an opportunity for investors, project developers and other stakeholders to learn more about upcoming support schemes, innovative products and new business models to accelerate rural electrification and advance the market for decentralised renewable energies.”
The presence of high-level representatives from developing organisations active in Africa, Asia and Latin America, as well as from the private sector, financing bodies and technology providers will allow key players involved in the off-grid sector to engage in networking activities. Closing the day, the Conference will celebrate the energy access results achieved by the most passionate and innovative stakeholders this year through the ARE Awards Ceremony.
During the lunch break of the conference day, the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Cooperation and Development (DG DEVCO) will hold a Side-Event Workshop on the energy-digital nexus, building the future of productive uses of energy, financial inclusion and job creation.
The Business Matchmaking Day on 14 March 2018 (supported by RECP) will feature a series of panel discussions with selected DFIs and private sector representatives on off-grid data collection and investment, project financing tools and new initiatives, including a presentation on the deployment of renewable energy tender programmes in Africa. In the afternoon, participants will be offered the opportunity to meet potential business partners and advance projects during face-to-face B2B meetings.
Finally, the half-day Site Visit to 3SUN Factory and Enel Innovation Lab in Passo Martino on 15 March 2018, organised by Enel Green Power and RES4MED&Africa, aims to showcase these sites on renewable energy innovation and manufacturing, as well as to demonstrate the Italian leadership in the renewable energy industry. 3SUN will introduce the new assembly line for bi-facial solar PV modules production, while the Enel Innovation Hub provides the opportunity to explore its research and innovation facilities for startups and enterprises, looking to potentially develop partnerships with African innovative businesses. In parallel, delegates will also have the chance to see Winch Energy’s Remote Power Unit (RPU) system, which will be fully erected in the factory grounds. The RPU is Winch Energy’s containerised solar generation power plant system used in Winch’s rural mini-grid projects in sub-Saharan Africa.

Source: https://ruralelec.org/sites/default/files/pictures/files/2018-03-06%20-%20ARE%20EAIF%20on%2013-15%20Mar%202018%20-%20Press%20Release%20Final.pdf