Morocco, Tunisia, Jordan, and Egypt Lead 13 Arab States in Sustainable Energy

Beirut, Lebanon, September 26, 2013 --(PR.com)-- According to the newly launched Arab Future Energy Index™ (AFEX), Tunisia, Morocco, and Jordan earned the top three ranks in energy efficiency capabilities and progress. In renewable energy Morocco, Jordan, and Egypt held the top three ranks, respectively. Dr. Tareq Emtairah, Executive Director, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) presented index key findings and insights today at Beirut Energy Forum. The AFEX report findings help policy makers in shaping national energy long-term transitions and strategies, formulate laws and regulations, develop institutional capacity, enrich local scientific research, and attract investments. The index also helps local and international investors to know more about Arab states’ readiness in the field.

Issued in two main separate reports: AFEX Renewable Energy, and AFEX Energy Efficiency, the index offers both quantitative and qualitative analysis for key renewable energy and energy efficiency market dimensions. Countries are ranked under more than 20 indicators that illustrate key energy market aspects including policies, institutional and technical capacities, strategies, socioeconomic data and investments. AFEX data are collected through both international and local resources to guarantee accuracy and transparency.

AFEX 2013 Key Findings

• The Arab region has substantial unutilized renewable energy resources that could diversify energy supply and improve environmental performance
• Almost all countries have adopted long-term technology-specific renewable energy targets
• The region overall performs poorly in the finance and investment category, especially in the field of private investment in renewable energy
• Energy price subsidies remain a key challenge for energy efficiency in almost all Arab countries
• Lebanon ranks six among 13 Arab countries in energy efficiency and ranks seven in renewable energy. Lebanon was the first Arab state to adopt the National Energy Efficiency Plan (NEEAP) on 10/11/2011.
• All Arab countries have massive untapped potential for energy efficiency in the utility sector
• Among 13 Arab countries, Tunisia stands out with the most comprehensive policy framework for energy efficiency
• Egypt currently has the largest installed capacity of renewables
• Currently there are more than 15 large-scale projects under construction with total capacity exceeding 1,550 MW, which is more than double the current installed capacity in the region.
• Jordan has made substantial progress in the past year by improving its regulatory framework
• Algeria needs to put greater effort into deploying renewable energy projects and attracting private partners
• Bahrain has the most liberalized electricity market in the region
• Libya remains the only country in the region that does not allow independent power producers
• Palestine has the highest electricity prices in the region which motivates the shift towards renewable energy and energy efficiency
• The crisis in Syria delays its public tender for the first large-scale wind project
• Sudan and Yemen have an opportunity to design innovative energy systems based on decentralized small-scale renewable energy generation
• Yemen, Libya, and Iraq need to improve their energy efficiency policy frameworks, institutional capabilities, and minimize power generation distribution losses

“This is only the start of a long and challenging path to provide the Arab region with accurate, reliable, and comparable information regarding their renewable energy and energy efficiency capabilities. We hope that this initiative will help our member states in their efforts toward sustainable energy transitions through quality tracking of the progress made and challenges yet to be tackled,” said His Excellency Sheikh Nawaf Bin Ibrahim Bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Chairman of the Board, RCREEE.

“In order to enable sustainable energy transitions in our region, first we have to know exactly where we are now compared to neighboring countries and the world. AFEX attempts to answer this question in an informed manner. We’ve worked hard the past two years to collect, track, analyze, and disseminate valuable pieces of information. Our aim is to inform our member states, the Arab region, and the world what is important to know about sustainable energy markets in this part of the world,” said Dr. Tareq Emtairah, Executive Director, RCREEE.

About Arab Future Energy Index™ (AFEX)
The Arab Future Energy Index (AFEX) is the first native Arab index dedicated to monitoring and analyzing sustainable energy competitiveness in the Arab region. AFEX offers both quantitative and qualitative analysis for key renewable energy and energy efficiency market dimensions. Countries are ranked under more than 20 indicators that illustrate key energy market aspects including policies, institutional and technical capacities, strategies, socioeconomic data and investments. AFEX data are collected through both international and local resources to guarantee accuracy and transparency.

For more information about AFEX, please visit afex.rcreee.org.

About the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) is an independent not-for-profit regional organization which aims to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in the Arab region. RCREEE teams with regional governments and global organizations to initiate and lead clean energy policy dialogues, strategies, technologies and capacity development in order to increase Arab states’ share of tomorrow’s energy.

For more information about RCREEE, please visit www.rcreee.org.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Emad Abou-Elgheit
Communications Manager
Tel: +20 2 241 54755 (Ext: 124)
emad.abouelgheit@rcreee.org