Final Seminar

Final seminars were scheduled at the end of the operation, in November 2009. 
It aimed at presenting the results of the program to potential investors, operators, decision-makers and energy experts.

The objectives of the seminars were to:

• • • •

Highlight the potential of renewable energy technologies for decentralized energy supply schemes for rural population and rural development to alleviate poverty Highlight the results of the action and present the option for venture capital investment to private sector (potential operators and investors) Discuss the approaches with policy and private stakeholders to implement the emerging approach for bankable rural electrification with the participation of private operators and investors in the priority zones of RESIREA. Bring together key actors from Lower Mekong countries with relevant European stakeholders from private operator companies, financing institutions, development banks and donors to exchange experiences and expectations to pursue bankable rural electrification programs

In this context, three final seminars were held in Asia in November 2009, in Dak Nong (Vietnam), in Phnom Penh (Cambodia) and in Vientiane (Laos).
The minutes and the pictures of the final seminars, held in November 2009, are available on this website. The posters and the presentations can be found here:

Cambodia workshop: 26th of November 2009
Laos workshop: 23rd of November 2009
Vietnam workshop: 17th of November 2009

The following fields were gathered:

• International stakeholders in the field of energy or financing agencies (GTZ, ADB, KFW),
• Private operators from each country,
• Provincial and district authorities,
• Representatives of governmental institutions (Ministries in charge of Energy and their respective departments, regulation insititutions, Rural Electrification Funds),
• Engineering and consultants offices,
• Suppliers and constructors of electrical infrastructure based on renewable energies,
• Associations and NGOs involved in rural development.

The “Green electricity” programmes, outcomes of the RESIREA studies, were approved by the participants, who appreciated the high quality of the work done as well as the participatory approach since the project’s start. Private operators expressed their interest for some sites, especially in Cambodia, where they are all confronted with the rise of the oil price and difficulties to run diesel generators.

The question of tariff-schedule was namely discussed, with suggestions from local participants that tariffs should be lower than those suggested in the Programmes. It was explained by the Fondation and the National Institutions that sufficient tariff schedules are the guarantee for a sustainable long-term operation of the electricity infrastructures and that the tariff proposed were in accordance with local abilities to pay electricity, namely electricity bills would be reduced after electrification, compared to candles, batteries, etc. This was accepted by local participants.

The Programmes have been endorsed by representatives of the Ministries in charge of energy, who promised their full support for their future implementation.

It was agreed that workshops or meetings with less participants would be required in 2010 to continue the discussions with local actors, especially regarding the operational scheme with the detailed roles and responsibilities of each actor involved, the tariff schedules and the financing package.