Project Document: Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE) - A SE4ALL Centre of Excellence to Promote Sustainable Energy Markets, Industries and Innovation

In line with the decisions of the Ministers of Energy of the Pacific Islands States and Territories (PICTs), the project aims to establish and implement the first operational phase of the Pacific Centre for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (PCREEE). The centre represents an innovative fusion of regional and international efforts and capabilities. Its design leverages a network of intra and extra regional partnerships, serving as a "hub" for knowledge and technical expertise on matters related to sustainable energy projects' implementation. It will also serve as a facilitator for innovative partnerships with the private sector.

PCREEE addressed gaps in the current effort to face existing barriers and stregthen drivers for sustainable energy markets, industries and innovation through regional methodologies and tools. The centre focuses on up-scaling and replicating national efforts in the areas of capacity development, knowledge management and innovation, awareness raising as well as investment and business promotion. The centre has a strong focus on the private sector and industry while supporting targeted RE & EE programs to enhance the productivity of key industries with high job leverage (e.g agriculture, tourism, fishery, manufacturing, creative industry) and the creation of a local sustainable energy servicing and manufacturing industry. 

The institutional set-up of PCREEE reflects the principles of maximising the impact, avoiding duplication of efforts, stregthening and up-scaling the already existing local capacities. The centre is hosted by the Pacific Community (SPC) and operates under the umbrella of two coordinating mechanisms of the Framework for Action on Energy Security in the Pacific- the Pacific Energy Oversight Group (PEOG) and the Pacific Energy Advisory Group (PEAG). It will develop and execute its activities through a etwork of Thematic Hubs (THs) and National Focal Institutions (NFIs). The PCREEE Scretariat is hosted by the Kingdom of Tonga in Nuku'alofa. PCREEE is guided by a Steering Committe (SC). UNIDO provides technical services and mentoring throughout the first operational phase of the centre.

The main counterparts are the Pacific Community (SPC), the Sustainable Energy Island and Climate Resilience Initiative (SIDS DOCK) and the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga. The centre will provide key technical services to the SPC Member States and closely cooperate with other regional sustainable energy centres for SIDS (ECREEE, CCREEE) in the context of the SAMOA pathway implementation, SDG 7, SDG 9 and the Nationally Determined Contributions under the Paris Agreement (SDG 13).

Keyword: PCREEE