COP 21: Africa Initiates 300 Gigawatt Renewable Energy Project

TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Heads of State from African countries have agreed to develop 300 gigawatta of renewable energy by 2030. The amount is twice than the current electricity supply of the continent. The agreement was announced on December 1, 2015, during the 21st Conference of Parties (COP 21) event.

For the initial phase, the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) will develop 10 gigawatts of renewable energy after COP 21 ended. "The initiative is part of a global contribution to mitigate climate change and eliminate energy crisis," according to a release published on December 2, 2015.

In the release, AREI stated that the step will be taken as a strategy to reduce carbon emission, create new jobs, "and to provide clean energy for 640 million people in the Africa continent."

The initiative gained full support from France, who pledged to provide 2 million Euro in the form of aid to help the development of renewable energy in Africa for the 2016-2020 periods. "This is a good step for the world, especially for developing countries," said French Preisdent Francois Hollande.

Similarly, Samantha Smith, Head of Global Climate and Energy Initiative of the World Wildlife Foundation said that the Paris-Africa coalition is an example of large scale collaboration that the world needs.

AMRI MAHBUB (PARIS)