| | | 1. Efforts in Russia begin to bear fruit |
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Five years ago, EKOenergy was amongst the first to work on the development of green energy contracts in the Russian Federation. We joined forces with local NGOs, participated in conferences, translated texts about sourcing of renewable energy and met with relevant agencies and companies.
In the last couple of months we got many concrete questions about EKOenergy-labelled energy in Russia. Meanwhile the International REC system took another step too and started adding the first Russian power plants to its database.
We are happy to inform you that last week the Russian energy supplier Uralenergosbyt became the first local EKOenergy licensee, making EKOenergy more accessible than ever to Russian businesses. We are happy to see things speeding up.
Furthermore, last week President Putin instructed the Russian government to work on the implementation of the Paris Agreement, "as long as it can go hand in hand with a strong economic development". We’re certain that Russian decision makers will also realise that renewables are the best way to power a strong economy. |
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"Consuming renewable energy with the EKOenergy label allows families and companies to take a decisive step towards sustainability."
- "Quando rinnovabile non é sinonimo di sostenibile", Alternativa sostenibile (In Italian) |
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| 2. RE-Source 2020 is held virtually |
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As in previous years, we are a proud partner of the RE-Source conference, the annual gathering of renewable energy buyers and suppliers. RE-Source 2020 will take place from 7 to 11 December.
The conference happens virtually this year, which brings out certain limitations but also offers unique opportunities for many more people to join and to learn. It will be possible to schedule online chats and discussions with experts too.
See the RE-Source 2020 website for more information and for registration.
A reminder for those working with PPAs or building on-site installations: Renewable energy from such installations can carry the EKOenergy ecolabel too! Contact us for more information. |
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"As we face global challenges, from climate change to the pandemic, we see more and more consumers looking to contribute to the solutions. Buying renewable energy is one way they are doing this. We are seeing growing demand for Russian I-RECs, from both domestic and international end-users."
-Tatiana Lanshina, CEO of local issuer for Russian I-RECs, Goal Number Seven |
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| 3. Solar energy for 100,000 Togolese families by 2030 - Hurray! |
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Between 2016 and 2019, EKOenergy's Climate Fund granted 49,000 euros in total to the Belgian initiative Solar Without Borders and their Togolese partner Solergie. This enabled them to finance the first smart solar nanogrids and launch Solergieboxes in off-grid Togolese villages.
Recently, the government of Togo has listed Solergie's nanogrids as one of the tools to reach the country's objective to electrify the whole country by 2030. Solergie received a license for 15 years including exemption of import taxes, VAT and a subsidy of 3 euros per month per client. The concrete target for Solergie is to bring solar energy to 100,000 families.
Congratulations Solergie! We are happy to see your hard work recognised. |
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| 4. New concrete results from EKOenergy-financed projects |
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We published two new Climate Story leaflets and a new River Story leaflet! These one-pagers tell about the concrete outcomes of the projects financed through EKOenergy's Climate Fund and Environmental Fund. GRID Alternatives installed a solar system in the remote Pandu Gupha Health Post in Nepal. The installation powers lighting, an X-ray machine, vaccine refrigeration and other electronics to provide better healthcare.
The Renewable Energy Association of Myanmar installed 21 solar irrigation systems in Myanmar’s Dry Zone.
The Finnish Society for Stream Conservation restored the natural structure of parts of the Maijalankoski rapid in order to enable the future reintroduction of salmon and freshwater pearl mussels. Thanks a lot to all consumers of EKOenergy-labelled energy. Projects like these wouldn't be possible without your choice. |
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"We decided to choose EKOenergy because it was important for us to use electricity in which generation was not only CO2-neutral, but also had as little impact on the environment as possible."
- Ritex management department, EKOenergy user story |
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| 5. What has the EKOenergy team been up to recently? |
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We are reviewing our criteria for bioenergy and are currently organising a public consultation for the proposal of new criteria. Comments are welcome before 1 January 2021. We have an open call for one more river restoration project in Finland. The deadline is 22 November 2020.
We renewed our cooperation agreement with the Green Key ecolabel. The agreement focuses on joint communication and on the exchange of experiences.
Many of our leaflets and publications are available in various languages. Contact us if you'd like to have these translated to other languages!
You can read much more about our recent activities and concrete results through our social media, such as EKOenergy ecolabel on LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. |
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| 6. Stop building new dams! |
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Following World Fish Migration Day on 24 October, 150 NGOs including EKOenergy banded together to call on the EU institutions to end public financing for new hydropower projects. Building new hydropower plants flies in the face of the European Green Deal’s biodiversity goals, given the small contribution new hydropower installations would bring to the energy transition weighted against the environmental damage they cause.
EKOenergy-labelled hydropower always comes from installations that fulfil specific requirements with regard to fish migration, continuous flow and the presence of natural habitats. Moreover, we exclude hydropower from dams built after 2012. We believe new financing should instead go to technologies that can expand rapidly with minimal impact on nature. |
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| 7. Record growth for renewable energy this year |
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“Renewable power is defying the difficulties caused by the pandemic, showing robust growth while other fuels struggle,” said Dr. Fatih Birol, the Executive Director of the International Energy Agency. “The resilience and positive prospects of the sector are clearly reflected by continued strong appetite from investors – and the future looks even brighter with new capacity additions on course to set fresh records this year and next.”
Over the first 10 months of 2020, China, India and the European Union have driven auctioned renewable power capacity worldwide 15% higher than in the same period last year – a new record that shows expectations of strong demand for renewables over the medium and long term. At the same time, shares of publicly listed renewable equipment manufacturers and project developers have been outperforming most major stock market indices and the overall energy sector. By October, shares of solar companies worldwide had more than doubled in value from December 2019.
Press release of the International Energy Agency, 10 November 2020. Or watch the YouTube video. |
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We at EKOenergy are always enthusiastic to collaborate with new partners.
For further information, please do not hesitate to get in touch. |
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