Energy Updates
Albania: USAID Applauds Privatization of KESH Energy Distribution System
On March 11, Albania’s Minister of Economy, Trade, and Energy, Genc Ruli and CEZ representative, signed a $102 million strategic partnership agreement, privatizing 76 percent of the shares of Albania’s energy distributor, OSSH. USAID provided technical assistance to the Government of Albania, particularly on the key regulations that will govern the new system.
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Sri Lanka: Creating the First Energy Efficient Lighting Center in South Asia
Sri Lanka will host the first energy efficient lighting Center of Excellence in South Asia, thanks to funding from the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The Regional Center for Energy Efficient Lighting (RCEEL) will serve as a research hub to develop new lighting technology to be used in Sri Lanka and South Asia. The Sri Lanka-based center will bring public and private enterprises together to focus on energy efficient lighting that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions, be more cost-effective, increase consumer accessibility to energy, and promote energy efficiency throughout the region.
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Vietnam: Cleaner Vehicles, Cleaner Air
Ten years ago most urban Vietnamese rode bicycles, but over the last decade rapid industrialization has contributed to a sharp rise in the use of motorized vehicles. These vehicles create emissions containing lead, carbon monoxide, sulfur dioxide, ozone and fine particulate matter — and cause significant health impacts. In 2001, USAID began working with the Ministry of Transportation to improve urban air quality. The government formed a partnership with the private sector and, in less than a year, had phased out leaded gas nationwide. The phase-out of leaded gasoline has reduced lead exposure for millions of city dwellers — particularly the poor, who tend to live along congested roads.
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