Energy efficiency takes centre stage at IEA conference in Nairobi

Left to right: IEC Global Impact Fund Senior Advisor, Matthew Doherty, IEC President, Jo Cops and IEC Regional Director for Africa, François Ahoti.

The ninth Global Annual Conference on Energy Efficiency, hosted by the International Energy Agency (IEA) in Nairobi, Kenya, brought together over 500 participants for two days of focused discussion on a critical topic: achieving energy efficiency as part of a just energy transition.

A key highlight of the conference was a panel discussion featuring the IEC President, Jo Cops. The panel explored the role of energy efficiency for quality of life, comfort and mobility with Mr. Cops highlighting the role of standards and conformity assessment in driving energy-efficient solutions across Africa.

The discussion emphasized the importance of these mechanisms for regulators and stakeholders to build a foundation for a more sustainable energy future.

The IEC Regional Director for Africa, François Ahoti, and the IEC Global Impact Fund Senior Advisor, Matthew Doherty joined Mr. Cops during a Business Leaders' Roundtable where they discussed important aspects of financing the energy transition.

The conference highlighted the critical work of the IEC Global Impact Fund, a collaborative platform established by the IEC, in supporting energy efficiency. This initiative underscores the important role of technology and quality infrastructure in building a sustainable future.

It is designed to link and integrate the global standardization and conformity assessment framework with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the development finance architecture.

The IEC-GIF brings together partners and projects to bridge the gap between electricity access and societal needs. By leveraging the technical expertise and global network of the IEC, it fosters partnerships that span sectors and supply chains, ultimately leading to impactful projects with real-world benefits.

The first project is underway in Kenya, aiming to improve the lives of up to 160,000 people in rural areas by providing access to reliable and clean sources of electricity. It focuses on testing the feasibility of using second-life lithium batteries to rehabilitate solar photovoltaic (PV) installations at critical locations such as schools, health centres and hospitals in Kenya.

If the project is proven viable, it can have a massive impact in enabling access to reliable, clean sources of electricity. The project exemplifies the potential of the Fund to create a positive impact on a global scale.

The conference served as a valuable platform for knowledge exchange and collaboration on energy efficiency. The insights gained from the discussions and initiatives presented, including the project in Kenya, offer promising prospects for building a more sustainable and equitable energy future for Africa and beyond.

Find out more about the IEC-GIF here.