Inauguration of the Centre for Renewable Energies and Industrial Maintenance

On the 10 March 2015, the Centre of Renewable Energy and Industrial Maintenance (CERMI) of Cabo Verde has been officially inaugurated. At the ceremony, also attended by the President of Cabo Verde and His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg, the Minister for Youth and Human Resources Development, Mrs. Janira Hopffer Almada, stated that Government has strong ambitions for this facility and it intends to turn this centre into an international reference, particularly designed to CEDEAO and PALOP markets.

The goal of CERMI is to put into practice energy research management policies, offering communication, awareness, training and capacity building services, and to promote management of the auditing and certification system. Trainings were launched in March. The centre had a budget of 850 million escudos and it was funded by Luxembourg Cooperation. The facility was built from the ground and intends to be a sustainable construction model for RE integration.

ALER is in touch with CERMI viewing the development of a partnership between both entities and the preparation of an agenda for joint works.

Luxembourg Cooperation was also responsible for other initiatives to encourage the sector of renewable energies in Cape Verde, following the visit of His Royal Highness the Grand Duke of Luxembourg to the country.

On March 10, at Praia, it took place a business forum organised by Commerce, Industry and Services Chambers of Cape Verde focused on RE and maritime economy with the participation of the Chamber of Commerce of Luxembourg and entrepreneurs and project promoters from Luxembourg.

Two days after, Cape Verde and Luxembourg signed the Indicative Cooperation Programme (ICP). This is the fourth Indicative Cooperation Programme between both countries and it foresees a funding of 45 million euros. RE are one of the sectors covered by the new ICP, together with education, water, sanitation, health and maritime economy.