9 January 2013: The Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership (REEEP) will fund 28 new low-carbon projects aiming to scale up renewable energy and energy efficient solutions in key emerging markets and selected developing countries in Africa and Asia.

The projects are selected from the following five thematic areas: scaling up successful business models; supporting off-grid generation; harnessing the benefits of clean energy in food production; clean energy in reliable water supply; and opening up energy data in emerging markets. Several of the 28 selected projects replicate or scale up successful initiatives previously funded by REEEP. For example, the Private Financing Advisory Network, PFAN, is a coaching and investor matchmaking service for small and medium enterprises that REEEP has funded in Africa, while a new project will widen the model’s scope in India. Azure International will expand and deepen its REEEP-funded cooperation with major brands to increase energy efficiency in Chinese textile factories. Natural Resources Canada’s free software, RETScreen, will be enhanced to improve decision making.

Improving data access for clean energy was one of the focal topics of REEEP’s latest project call. As a result, Martin Hiller, Director-General of REEEP noted that one project on energy access in Ghana “will become a leading example of open data on the African continent.” [REEEP Press Release]