EU funds renewable energy projects

Grants for individuals,
institutions, and public buildings

The European Union will finance two projects in partnership with two local institutions, the Centre for Innovation and Technology (CIT) and the Euro-Lebanese Centre for Industrial Modernization (ELCIM – within the Ministry of Industry). Overall investment is around €4.5 million ($5.8 million), $585,000 of which is funded by the two institutions and the rest is supplied by FOSTEr in MED.

The first project provides grants of €10,000 ($13,000) vouchers for innovative ideas submitted by individuals or institutions. “The voucher is open to everyone with a valid project, and a clear plan on how to implement it,” said a spokesperson for FOSTEr in MED. The idea will be evaluated by a team of specialists. This project has just ended.

Since 2012, 21 vouchers have been granted so far. The last voucher is to be given in May 2014, benefiting sectors such as the IT, agro-food, medical, and the renewable energy sector. The project is investing a total of €380,000 ($495,000) including €200,000 ($260,000) contributed from the EU. The rest is funded from CIT, a branch of the Industrial Research Institute.

The second project is in an advanced stage. It aims to install building-integrated photovoltaic panels on a public building. Three public buildings are candidates for this project: The Municipality of Jounieh, the Industrial Research Institute, and the Ministry of Energy and Water. The building will be chosen in June. The implementation phase of the renewable energy system will begin in a few months. The aim of this project is to demonstrate that renewable energy systems can be a substitute for the ongoing electricity problem in Lebanon according to FOSTEr in MED. Once implemented, this public building should act as a role model for architects and experts. The second project has a budget of €4.5 million ($5.85 million) shared by Lebanon, Italy, Tunisia, Egypt, Spain, and Jordan. It includes a campaign to improve laws that would lower the tax on renewable energy products and obtain support from the public sector.