By IANS,
New Delhi: International innovation network for least developed countries (LDC) with focus on renewable energy technologies (RET), dedicated fund structures and training platforms are vital for addressing the global energy challenge, a study said Tuesday.
“To address existing initiatives in technology transfer, the Fourth United Nations Conference on the LDC, held in Istanbul in May 2011, approved the creation of a science, technology and innovation centre,” said the Technology and Innovation Report 2011 of the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD).
“The report recommends that this centre could build an international innovation network focusing on enhancing RET-based learning in LDCs with the purpose of promoting greater access to energy. Such a network would fit in directly with the currently identified key areas of work for the centre,” it added.
The report also proposed global and regional research funds for the development of RETs, international RET transfer fund and RETs training platform to foster technological development and innovation.
According to the report, the diffusion of RETs in developing countries involves much more than transferring technology hardware from one location to another.
It requires a targeted international effort and there is an urgent need to mobilise resources and accelerate efforts to ensure universal access to energy by creating an enabling environment for the promotion and use of renewable energy technologies.
Funding for technology development has been lacking despite RETs constituting a key area of interest to developing countries.
Therefore, the report recommended dedicated funds which could act as the focal point for the coordination of ongoing research, both at the national and the regional level, and among private, public and non-profit organisations.
It also called for a technology transfer fund for RETs which could act as a licensing pool for renewable energy technologies, offering RETs at subsidised rates to firms from LDCs and developing countries.