How we work

Norway focuses on cooperation with partners/organizations with proven value added in the work of clean energy and development.

Importance of energy for development

Norway’s efforts in the field of clean energy and development focus on areas where Norway can make a difference and where Norway has a special expertise to offer. In light of this, the Clean Energy for Development Initiative has put focus on certain thematic areas. Some of these thematic areas are cross-cutting, such as for instance gender issues related to the energy sector. Norwegian actors within development cooperation also participate in various international fora and processes to highlight important areas that have an impact on development of the clean energy sector in developing countries.

Some of the areas receiving particular focus from Norway are:

• Leveraging private investment
• Capacity – and institution building
• Access to modern energy services
• Gender

Leveraging Private Investment

In order to secure universal access to modern energy services to the world’s population, approximately USD 40 billion is needed on an annual basis until 2030. Public and donor funds will not be able to finance this significant amount, hence private investment is a necessity. However, some of the challenge is caused by lack of ability to pay for the end users in the recipient countries, in addition to the frame work condition for private actors being unsafe. Norway’s international contribution is amongst other things to test possible financial models to attract private capital into the sector. As an example Norway supports Scatec Solar’s efforts to electrify villages in India with solar panels.

Capacity and Institution Building

Lack of proper frameworks, and weak management and administration of the sector create barriers for private investment in clean energy projects in developing countries. In addition these factors can also prohibit a sound and sustainable development of natural resources. Norway therefore spends significant resources to support capacity building in various energy institutions and agents in cooperating countries. In example, both the Norwegian Water Resources - and Energy Directorate (NVE) and the Norwegian transmission system operator (Statnett) have ongoing projects in Norway’s partner countries, and contribute with valuable experience and know how within their respective fields of expertise.

Access to modern energy services

Lack of access to modern energy services is a significant barrier for social and economic development. Norway contributes actively to ensure access to such services for those currently lacking access to energy. In for instance Mozambique and Uganda Norway has supported several rural electrification programmes. Norway furthermore contributes to increased access to more efficient wood fuel and charcoal stoves for cooking, through the Norwegian support to the UN Foundation and the Global Alliance for Clean Cookstoves.

Gender

Norway is in a special position internationally when it comes to gender equality. Gender equality is a highlighted special focus for all Norwegian development cooperation, hence also within the energy sector.  Women and men have differing roles, needs and priorities in relation to energy, and therefore special emphasize is put on including this dimension in energy programmes and projects where Norway is involved.

For more information about how Norway work with the abovementioned thematic areas, and how Norway work in various partner countries, through regional or multilateral bodies, civil society etc. please see the Annual Report 2010.