EU, Africa set energy cooperation targets

High ranking energy officials from EU and Africa issued a joint declaration here Tuesday, pledging to make modern and sustainable energy services accessible for at least an additional 100 million African people before 2020.

Africa and EU will take joint action to increase both energy efficiency and the use of renewable energy and achieved the following goals before 2020: Build 10,000 MW of new hydro power facilities, at least 5000 MW of wind power capacity, 500 MW of solar energy capacity, according to the declaration.

The declaration was announced at the First High Level Meeting of the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP) held at Hofburg Conference Center.

About 250 delegates attended the conference, including commissioners from the African Union and the European Union, together with over 21 energy and development ministers from both contingents. During the conference. They exchanged views on taking joint efforts to speed up the construction of energy facilities and drawing up plans for future developments.

The conference also marked the official launch of the Africa-EU Renewable Energy Cooperation Programme, with a aim at promoting renewable energy technologies that will usher in a new era for industrial,trade and business cooperation between Africa and Europe, says a press release of the conference organizers.

Some delegates from African countries pointed out that while Africa need increasing investments in its clean energy development, EU-Africa cooperation must based on equal, fair and just ground, so as to achieve win-win results.

Source: Xinhua