OFID/WPC launch platform to support global energy access by 2030

The “Oil and Gas Industry Energy Access Platform (EAP)” initiative was launched on March 21 by the OPEC Fund for International Development (OFID) and World Petroleum Council (WPC) in support of the Sustainable Energy for All (SE4All) multi-stakeholder platform. They were joined by representatives from TOTAL S.A., Shell International B.V., the Global LPG Partnership, the International Gas Union and Shell Foundation, and several others.
 

OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish described the launch of the EAP as a "defining moment for both OFID and for the members of the oil and gas industry who join us, as we propel the effort to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, modern energy for all."
 

The EAP offered a two-fold benefit, giving members the chance to both help the poor and steer the industry in a positive direction. "The EAP will also be a catalyst for meaningful action for other oil and gas companies, development financial institutions, and the private sector to follow," he added.
 

Furthermore, OFID firmly believe that this Platform will harness the petroleum industry’s vast pool of resources, expertise, know-how, technologies, and access to capital. The industry is in a unique position to take a leading role in facilitating energy access. The Platform’s collaborative nature puts this goal on the fast track and complements existing industry efforts, such as the Oil and Gas Climate Initiative.
 

By bringing the members of the oil and gas industry and supporting actors together to highlight their contribution to SDG 7, the platform is also addressing the other SDGs, as energy directly links to every adopted goal and to 56 out of the 169 targets.
 

The EAP will provide a platform for the oil and gas companies to collaborate with other stakeholders on specific actions focused on energy access, namely:
 

1. Share best practices, data and disseminate knowledge about energy access solutions, in particular where these solutions accelerate progress towards SDG7.
2. Leverage industry capabilities to support access to energy, including modern energy and efficient solutions.
3. Help the industry in identifying corporate social responsibility opportunities in host countries, and harmonize robust, practical and cost-effective approaches for facing energy access challenges.
4. Foster communication within industry about energy access solutions.
5. Contribute to better integrate energy access in policies and projects at country level.
    

Read the full press release here.
 

Read the full opening statement delivered by OFID Director-General Suleiman J Al-Herbish here.

Source and picture © OFID