Press Release: Commission proposes EUR250 million to improve access to modern energy services in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific

The European Commission adopted a proposal on 28 October 2004 to set up a €250 million Energy Facility to increase access to modern energy services for people in Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP). This was a significant contribution to the EU Energy Initiative that had been launched at the World Summit for Social Development in Johannesburg in 2002. The proposed facility was designed to have an important catalytic effect in generating additional funds for energy. The facility was set up to: (i) promote energy initiatives, provide information and build research and management capacity in ACP countries; (ii) provide the missing link in financing sustainable Energy projects and activities.