11 January 2012

A delegation of representatives from one of the most important financial institutions in South Africa have met this morning at the headquarters of the National Renewable Energy Centre (CENER), located in Sarriguren.

The delegation was comprised of 7 people who work at the Development Bank of South Africa, IDC, a financial institution that provides both capital and debt for renewable energy, energy efficiency projects, and other development projects, both in South Africa and in neighbouring countries. They were accompanied by two consultants from the German Development Bank, FKW, which organised and managed the trip.

South Africa has just assigned the first 1500 MW of renewable energies, and the IDC has participated in 17 projects. The trip has been organised within this context with the main objective of getting first-hand knowledge about the experience of European companies in general, and of Spanish companies in particular, of this type of energy projects, above all in those aspects that affect financing.

At the meeting held at the centre, and in which José Javier Armendariz, Director General of CENER, participated, the possibilities of CENER becoming a specialised technical consultant for the South African financial institution, were analysed.

Following the meeting, they visited CENER’s energy test facilities at its centres in Sarriguren and Sangüesa, where the Wind Turbine Test Laboratory, an international reference for the wind sector, is located.

The South African representatives also took advantage of the day to visit Acciona Energy facilities as well as to hold a meeting with the Regional Minister of Rural Development, Industry, Employment and Environment of the Government of Navarra, Lourdes Goicoechea.