CABEI supports MSMEs on clean energy generation and sustainable consumption

21/07/2015

CABEI's actions are aimed at enhancing environmental investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy projects in MSMEs and small developers in the countries of the Central American isthmus.

San Salvador, July 22, 2015. - “Promoting access to financial services and the application of appropriate green technologies are some of the actions furthered by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) through its Green MSME Initiative,” explained Daniel Murcia, the manager of the Initiative, at the “2nd Fair for Cleaner Production and Sustainable Consumption.”

The CABEI officer stated that, through its Green MSME Initiative, the Bank is seeking to promote new technology and the exchange of knowledge and experiences about clean energy production in order to contribute to the region’s sustainable development.

In addition to sponsoring the event, CABEI wishes to identify opportunities for energy conservation and energy efficiency, as well as the feasibility of MSME’s using alternative energy for their businesses.

Mr. Murcia declared that to date the Green MSME Initiative has placed more than US$47.7 million to finance renewable energy and energy efficiency projects. Renewable energy projects have created approximately 22 Megawatts (MW) of installed capacity (equivalent to the electricity consumption of 37 basic households annually) and reduced CO2 emissions by 55,000 tons. CO2 is one of the main gases that contribute to the greenhouse effect and climate change.

Another of CABEI’s noteworthy contributions to fostering energy efficiency involved  support for replacing a fleet of 370 buses and thereby reducing CO2 emissions by an additional 3,900 tons.

The Green MSME Initiative, which is executed by CABEI, is a tripartite initiative with financial support from the German government’s KfW Development Bank and the European Union. It has US$44.5 million in funds, which it channels through its extensive IFI network, to provide financing for small-scale renewable energy and energy efficiency projects.

It has also disbursed resources amounting to US$4.5 million to provide technical cooperation to financial institutions, energy audits for MSMEs and feasibility studies for renewable energy projects, thereby joining regional efforts to promote green issues and raise awareness about them.

This year the fair was made possible by the support of such solid financial institutions as the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI), through its Green MSME Initiative, the Banco de Desarrollo de El Salvador (BANDESAL), the Consejo Nacional de Energía (CNE), Banco G&T Continental and Banco Hipotecario. Support was also provided by Fundación TCS and Grupo Radio Stereo. In addition, the USAID Regional Clean Energy Initiative provided essential support to make the Fair possible.

Other strategic allies that supported the Fair were the German agency for international development cooperation, GIZ, the World Wildlife Fund (WWF),  the Cámara de Comercio e Industria de El Salvador, the Fondo de la Iniciativa para las Américas (FIAES) and the regional cleaner production network, Red Latinoamericana de Producción más Limpia.

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