AFEX EE 2017 report: Remarkable progress in the Arab Energy Efficiency markets

AFEX – EE 2017 provides a comprehensive overview on the progress achieved by 20 Arab countries to transition toward an EE market after recent plunges in oil prices and economic turmoil in the region. It provides a special focus on the energy subsidy reforms undertaken by each country and the implementation of energy efficiency action plans and strategies. Moreover, the publication provides a great opportunity for Arab countries to learn from each other’s achievements and success stories in implementing energy efficiency measures, policies and technologies.

AFEX- Energy Efficiency 2017 Key Findings

• 55% of the regional counties have scorings higher than 50% in energy efficiency performance compared to 35% in the 2015 report
• The region witnessed an unprecedented wave of energy subsidy reforms
• Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Morocco, Oman, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the UAE, and Yemen have enacted policies to reduce electricity subsidies and adjust fuel prices
• 15 out of 20 Arab states have developed national energy efficiency action plans, while others are preparing their first NEEAPs
• Arab countries still need to further develop and implement energy efficiency regulation, initiatives, and programs to reduce energy consumption in the transportation sector
• Tunisia’s “New Program 2013– 2020” establishes highly ambitious EE targets for the industrial, building and transport sectors to be achieved by 2020.
• Bahrain adopted its first NEEAP in 2017. One important outcome of the NEEAP has been the establishment of a new Sustainable Energy Unit (SEU) mandated to lead and promote energy efficiency practices and draft related policies & regulatory frameworks.
• Jordan is preparing its second NEEAP (2017-2020) with an expected total saving of 1,975 GWh adding to the 325 GWh saved from its first NEEAP. Thus, achieving its 20% energy reduction target by 2020
• With the adoption of the new electricity law (no. 87/2015), Egypt has made major steps to create a legal framework for EE policy
• Palestine evaluated its first NEEAP and its second NEEAP (2015-2017) is under implementation which targets a total saving of 137 GWh by 2017.
• Lebanon evaluated its first NEEAP and adopted its second NEEAP (2016-2020) which estimates an energy reduction of 302.9 GWh/year leading to a new demand growth rate in the electricity power sector of 5.81% down from 7%
• Mauritania is in the process of preparing its first National Energy Efficiency Action Plan (NEEAP)
• Morocco liberalized all diesel and gasoline prices in order to reduce energy subsidy spending which is expected to reduce the fiscal deficit from 4.3% of the GDP in 2015 to 3.5% in 2016
•  UAE is leading the ESCO market in the region as Etihad super ESCO is playing a major role in regulating and enabling the EPC market. Etihad ESCO, has set the ambitious goal of retrofitting 30,000 buildings in Dubai by 2030 achieving an annual saving of 1.7 TWh of electricity by 2030
• The domestic electricity prices in Syria more than doubled from their 2014 values, as of January 1st, 2017 and the Industrial and commercial tariffs increased more than 5 times compared to their 2014 values

“The goal of the AFEX-EE and RCREEE has always been to provide the Arab region with the necessary knowledge and tools to integrate the various aspects of financial, social and environmental approaches in their transition toward an energy secure future and a better quality of life for the Arab world “stated RCREEE Executive Director, Ahmed Badr.

“UNDP is pleased to partner with RCREEE in producing the 2017 edition of the Arab Future Energy Index which chronicles local progress made by our partners across the region.  AFEX rankings show important trends and emerging pathways to a low-carbon, sustainable energy future in the region. However, while showing progress, the report also notes many continued challenges, including inefficiency of energy use in building, transport, urban planning and infrastructure sectors, and continued challenges related to energy subsidies.” says the Director of UNDP Regional Hub for Arab States, Mr. Khaled Abdelshafi.

The full report is available for download here

About the Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE)

The Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RCREEE) is an intergovernmental organization with diplomatic status that aims to enable and increase the adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency practices in the Arab region. RCREEE teams with regional governments and global organizations to initiate and lead clean energy policy dialogues, strategies, technologies and capacity development in order to increase Arab states’ share of tomorrow’s energy. Having today 17 Arab countries among its members, RCREEE strives to lead renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives and expertise in all Arab states based on five core strategic impact areas: facts and figures, policies, people, institutions, and finance.

For more information about RCREEE, please visit www.rcreee.org.

For all media inquiries, please contact:

Yasmeen Oraby, Senior Operations Specialist

Yasmeen.oraby@rcreee.org

About the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) is the United Nations’ global development network, working in over 170 countries and territories to achieve the eradication of poverty, and the reduction of inequalities and exclusion. UNDP helps countries develop policies, leadership skills, partnering abilities, institutional capabilities, and build resilience in order to sustain development results. Through UNDP’s extensive work at global, regional, and national levels, UNDP has learned that tackling climate change and expanding access to sustainable energy and water must be central to efforts to make results of development sustainable and resilient. UNDP is the UNs largest provider of assistance on climate change, with over $2.8 billion of grants to countries around the world. In support of the new Paris Climate Change Agreement and Sustainable Development Goals, UNDP helps countries transition to a low-carbon, climate-resilient development future. Support to countries is led by UNDPs extensive system of Country Offices and five UNDP Regional Hubs.

For more information about UNDP, please visit www.undp.org