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International Energy Programme
The Dutch government initiated the International Energy Programme, a research co-operation partnership, to further benefit from international experience and knowledge in the field of sustainable energy policies. The backbone of the programme is knowledge management and international networking. The Energy Programme aims to enhance Dutch national policies through information sharing and international co-operation, especially with focus countries namely Russia, Romania, Ukraine and China.
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Energy performance contracts
…Conservation and Increase of Energy Efficiency € introduces a new type of civil-law agreement - the energy performance contract (EPC). The contractor under this kind of arrangement undertakes to take steps aimed at energy savings by the customer and increasing efficiency of energy resource consumption. The Civil Code of the Russian Federation (the "Civil Code €) provides no regulation for such contracts, while the Law itself offers special regulation for only some of their aspects, so that in the remainder the parties to an energy performance contract are free to agree upon its terms and conditions subject to the Civil…
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Multi-lateral Agreements to Reduce CO2 Emissions: Slovakia
…from each country agreed that Norway would contribute NOK 1.2 million to modernise two district heating systems in Slovakia through the replacement of coal and natural gas with bioenergy. While the net reduction in CO 2 emissions was expected to be only 50,000 metric tons over 30 years, both ministers expressed hope for expanded co-operation on these matters in years to come. The agreement with Slovakia arrived in addition to similar Norwegian agreements with Poland, Mexico, Burkina Faso, Costa Rica and China. In 2002, Norway negotiated other such agreements with Romania, India, the Baltic States and Russia.
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Gaining an Edge Unlocking the potential of energy efficiency
Efficiency opportunities at the firm level At the firm level, energy efficiency offers untapped opportunities to reduce costs in both light and heavy industries In a competitive environment, firms are seeking to reduce costs, support sustainable growth and meet dynamic market demands. Energy is an important component of production costs in many industrial sectors, although its share varies by industry. These differences are influenced by the type and complexity of production. Heavy industries, such as steel, cement and chemicals, tend to be more energy intensive due to the large-scale processes and high thermal demands. Light industries, such as electronics…
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Global Hydrogen Review 2026 Key questions about hydrogen
How has the conflict in the Middle East affected supplies of fertilisers and chemicals made from hydrogen? The conflict in the Middle East has disrupted not only oil and gas flows, but also global supply chains for hydrogen‑based products, particularly fertilisers and chemicals such as ammonia, urea and methanol. These products account for a large share of hydrogen demand, with ammonia and methanol alone representing roughly half of global consumption.The Middle East plays a critical role in global markets for hydrogen-based products, and a large share of its production is dedicated to exports, making the region a major…
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Scaling Up Transition Finance What is transition finance?
Developments and current status Many energy investments defy a simple binary classification between “clean” and “dirty”: there are also the “in-between” investments that can deliver material emissions reductions but that do not bring emissions to zero. These investments have historically been difficult to categorise due to differences in energy pathways and timeframes across regions and have been the subject of debate, including over whether and how they should be supported.Transition finance refers to financial activities that can contribute to emissions reductions, particularly in hard-to-abate sectors as well as in emerging market and developing economies (EMDE) where…
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Financing Electricity Access in Africa Pathway to universal access
Mobilising the necessary investment Under the new Accelerating Clean Cooking and Electricity Services Scenario (ACCESS), investment of nearly USD 150 billion is needed to achieve universal electricity access in sub-Saharan Africa by 2035. This represents a six-fold increase in annual spending from today’s levels, facilitated by improvements to the regulatory environment, strengthened risk management by developers and risk-mitigation tools to support more private investment, and a more targeted use of concessional funds.Around 45% of households currently without access are connected via the grid under the ACCESS scenario, with financial support for households to reduce connection fees and…
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Indicators Handbook for Just and Inclusive Energy Transitions Introduction
In addition to reducing emissions, clean energy transitions present unique opportunities to create socio-economic benefits (e.g. new decent jobs, reduced energy poverty and improved air quality). Tracking these benefits can help highlight and communicate the positive effects of clean energy transitions across different population groups. This year, the South African G20 Presidency and Brazilian COP30 Presidency have prioritised just and inclusive energy transitions and this Indicators Handbook has been developed to support and promote these efforts.The Indicators Handbook is based on the voluntary G20 Principles for Just and Inclusive Transitions, endorsed by G20 leaders in November 2024…
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China’s Official Energy Finance in Emerging and Developing Economies Case 7. Palembang waste-to-energy plant
Project overview and impact Indonesia faces a dual challenge of rapidly growing waste volumes and persistent electricity supply constraints. The country generates around 65 million tonnes of waste annually, yet only about 20% is formally treated, and most cities rely heavily on landfills. In 2017, the government designated 12 priority cities for accelerated waste-to-energy (WTE) development, including Palembang, and introduced preferential feed-in tariffs and guaranteed waste-tipping fees to attract private investment. Despite this, only two WTE plants, Surabaya’s Benowo PLTSa and Surakarta’s Putri Cempo PLTSa, both on Java island, were operational before 2024, highlighting…
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Kira West
Former World Energy Outlook Analyst.
