The toolkit was developed with the support of the Transforming Energy Access for Households and Improved Livelihoods Programme (TEA) funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office and GET.invest, a European programme which mobilises investments in decentralised renewable energy, supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands and Austria.
It was also developed in strategic partnership with the Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) and launched at the 6th Energy Access Investment Forum, organised by ARE and supported by GET.invest.
The toolkit provides guidance to existing national renewable energy associations (NREAs) with a comprehensive and practical resource to help strengthen their efforts in supporting the growth of the solar energy sector, and provides guidance to those considering establishing a new NREA.
The purpose of the toolkit is to support NREAs in their activities. These include developing, improving and sustaining their services to their members; investing in practicing high standards of management and good governance; and taking measures to assure their sustainability over the long term. It aims to support NREAs to continue to be strong advocates for the growth of the solar energy sector.
Information in the toolkit comes primarily from a literature review of business membership organisation or industry association management. It is enriched with practical experiences from the two industry associations, SolarPower Europe and GOGLA.
“Renewable energy associations are a key element of functioning and sustainable energy markets” said
GET.invest Team Leader Michael Franz. “Building them in close collaboration with European and domestic associations makes the European partnership with Africa materialise. This is why we are particularly happy to support this work as GET.invest, on behalf of our donors.”
Patrick Tonui, Head of Policy and Regional Strategy at GOGLA, added that maximizing contributions and impact by the private sector is a key pillar if the global community is to realise the SDG goals by 2030, including on universal energy access (SDG 7).
“However, realising a legal, policy and regulatory environment that attracts private sector investment and enables sustainable businesses remains a core hurdle in many countries” said Mr Tonui. “Effective national industry associations are a must-have to enable productive public private sector dialogues that recognise constraints and jointly develops winning solutions. This handbook is an effective tool towards building these private sector champions for the renewable energy sector.”
The toolkit is intended to support NREAs as they:
Reflect on their internal and external environments and assess their readiness to contribute to the growing renewable energy sectors in their country.
Design organisational capacity development plans to strengthen their ability to serve their members and the industry and grow institutional resilience and sustainability for the long term.
Regularly review their performance across key topics that influence their performance as NREAs such as: membership development; communications; good governance; financial management and reporting; resource mobilisation; advocacy and policy dialogue; and data activities.
For additional information:
