Beirut, July 7^th, 2023 – meetMED participates at the 6^th International Conference on Renewable Energy in Developing Countries (REDEC) 2023, held from 5-7 July in Notre Dame University in Zouk Mosbeh – Lebanon.

The conference focuses on both theory and applications in the renewable energy field that help find innovative and adequate solutions for energy saving and production in developing countries.

The first session was held on 5^th July 2023, entitled “Solar Schools: Opportunities, Challenges, and Feedback in Lebanon and the Mediterranean” and co-organized by our partners the French Agency for Ecological Transition (ADEME) in cooperation with the Lebanese Association for Energy Saving and for Environment (ALMEE), L’Agence universitaire de la Francophonie (AUF), United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA) and State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry (ESF).

Given the current energy crisis of increasing fuel and electricity prices and in the face of the urgent challenges of climate change, it is certain that the installation of solar panels in public buildings especially in schools is an opportunity that offers many advantages: reducing electricity bills, increasing energy independence, raising awareness among the younger generation about the use of renewable, long-term and less carbon-intensive energy. Many installations have thus been carried out in several Mediterranean countries in the light of cooperation projects or not in a dynamic that seems exponential. The round table aims to exchange concrete feedback and the conditions for the success of such projects to multiplier these positive energy school experiences. It also addresses the barriers to be lifted (regulations, technical, economic, and social) and the avenues to be outlined for structuring programs at national levels. Through the intersecting views of operators, institutions, and experts from Lebanon and the Mediterranean region, the discussions highlighted the orientations for decision-makers to change the scale and, if necessary, good mass practices.

The second session took part on 6^th July 2023, “Green Building Rating System“, to discuss the current energy policies regarding green buildings, incentives, existing financing mechanisms, challenges, and barriers in the region’s countries. This discussion creates a space of exchange between good practices and challenges and opens for regional cooperation between those countries in order to increase public awareness of energy’s major stakes and challenges and investments in the building sector. Besides this panel discussion, many local GBRS in the South-MED countries will be briefly presented (EcoBAT- EcoBINAYAT-ARZ2.0…), as well as one of the French experiences in GBRS (HQE or EnviroBAT). The experience of those GBRS in their countries will be presented as well as the barriers and difficulties for success will be discussed. At the end, the regional GBRS GRASSMED has been launched and disseminated between the different professional players and researchers of the South-Med region highlighting the essential solution that this platform will bring to the GB sector in the region.

By the end of the conference, meetMED third session held on 6^th July 2023, “Monitoring and Evaluating Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policies in the South-MED Region,” aimed at disseminating within the regional network the progress done and the reports delivered concerning the Energy Efficiency Indicators and the Med-Observer tool.

Dr. Didier Bosseboeuf, ADEME, highlighted the significance of implementing and evaluating EE and RE in the South-Med region by showcasing the positive impact of EE indicators, the monitoring tool, and the link between indicators and policy implementation in his initial presentation. He also explained the Medobserver initiative within the meetMED project, its objectives, expectations, and impacts for each country. He also provided an action plan and explained the dissemination strategies already implemented (training courses, workshops, etc.). Then, Dr.Bosseboeuf elaborated on the EEI and discussed many examples about how to monitor policies with EEI.

Afterwards, Dr. Adnan Jouni, ALMEE, presented a national report on EE indicators – Lebanon Case. Dr. Jouni also outlined the EEI, objectives, and purpose. He then provided a description of ALMEE’s data collection process in the Lebanese case, as well as presenting the economic context of the country and the differences between different EEI. 

The session was concluded by Mrs. Wahida Klouche, APRUE introducing a National Report on EE Indicators – Algeria Case. Mrs. Klouche explained the evolution of the different sectors in Algeria in terms of energy, and the analysis of the different indicators and scenarios. She concluded with the difficulties and challenges they faced.

Monitoring and Evaluating Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Policies in the South-MED Region

Speakers:

• Didier Bosseboeuf, ADEME, Presentation 1 (Download PDF); Presentation 2 (Download PDF)
• Adnan Jouni, ALMEE (Dowload PDF)
• Wahida Klouche and Souad Azzouz, APRUE (Download PDF)
• Wahida Klouche, APRUE (Download PDF)

For more information, please contact:
Ms. Asmaa AHMED
meetMED II Communication Manager
Email: asmaa.ahmed@rcreee.org