21 January 2013: The World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program’s (ESMAP) January e-Bulletin focuses on: improving the institutional framework for energy in the Maldives; a knowledge exchange forum for partner agencies convened by ESMAP; Indonesia’s Geothermal development; and activities relating to Africa Clean Cooking Energy Solutions (ACCES).

The e-Bulletin highlights the Maldives’ and other Small Island Developing States’ (SIDS) vulnerability to oil price fluctuations, and discusses an ESMAP project in the Maldives to reduce that country’s dependence on diesel-powered electricity. The e-Bulletin highlights ESMAP activities focused on enhancing capacity of the Maldives Energy Authority (MEA) as a stand-alone institution tasked with energy regulation.

The e-Bulletin also highlights the ESMAP Knowledge Exchange, held in Paris from 27-28 November 2013, in Paris. During this consultative meeting, staff from bilateral agencies were briefed on ESMAP activities and also exchanged experiences relating to their own programs. The forum addressed: renewable energy resource mapping; scaling up geothermal energy in developing countries; results-based financing for energy projects; energy access in sub-Saharan Africa along with the Sustainable Energy for All initiative (SE4All). ESMAP is providing technical assistance to enable countries to scale-up energy access investment programmes. During the meeting, the scope and approach of the program was outlined and its baseline report was also reviewed. [Publication: ESMAP Monthly E-Bulletin January 2013 Issue]