The regional technical assistance (RETA) focus will be on improving the efficiency of energy consumption, rather than developing new sources of renewable energy, as a principal means of reducing both the cost and environmental impact of energy use in the region. Studies have consistently shown that the return on investment in energy efficiency, from displaced demand for energy imports, far outweighs that of investment in renewable energy.
The RETA will identify a program of demand-side energy efficiency measures in the participating countries and assist in the preparation of a follow-on energy efficiency implementation project to be funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). Pilot-scale energy efficiency projects will also be implemented in the participating countries.
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