4 February 2013: The Government of Norway has announced that it has signed a “Framework for Energy+ Cooperation” with the Government of Bhutan and the Asian Development Bank, with the objective of supporting Bhutan’s efforts to increase access to sustainable energy services and reduce greenhouse gas emissions through enhanced promotion of renewable energy and energy efficiency.

The Energy+ cooperation with Bhutan will initially focus on increased access to energy services as electricity, heating, energy efficiency, more efficient cook-stoves in rural areas, improved legislation, and development of energy and climate plan for the energy sector. According to the Government of Norway, Norway plans to provide Bhutan with NOK100 million (approximately US$17.4 million) over the next five years. The Government of Norway says that Energy+ design principles include: a sectoral approach; payment by results; and enabling an environment to leverage commercial investments.

The Framework was signed in the margins of the Dehli Sustainable Development Summit 2013.

Norway’s Energy+ initiative builds on the success of Norway’s REDD+ funding scheme. Support for energy access through this fund is expected to be over US$1 billion. The UN Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), and the UN Development Programme (UNDP) are among the founding partners of Energy+. [Government of Norway Press Release] [Norwegian Embassy in India press release] [Delhi Sustainable Development Summit Website]