RE&EE Exporter Update August 2014

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August 2014

Join the Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee

The Secretary of Commerce invites nominations and self-nominations of industry members who want to participate actively in the Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Advisory Committee (REEEAC), to provide guidance to U.S. government trade agencies for programs supporting U.S. exports in the renewable energy and energy efficiency sectorThe deadline for applications is August 15, 2014. For more detailed information, see the Federal Register Notice.


What's Happening?

Commerce Secretary to Lead Energy-Focused Business Development Mission to Asia
October 19-23, 2014- Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker will lead a Healthcare and Energy Business Development Mission to Asia with stops in Japan and South Korea from October 19-23, 2014. This business development mission will promote U.S. exports to Asia by helping U.S. companies launch or increase their business in the healthcare and energy sectors. In both countries, the governments and private sector are investing significant money to develop these two sectors.

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Trade Policy Mission to Peru
Date and Leadership Change: November 4-5, 2014
ITA’s new Under Secretary for Trade Stefan Selig will lead the previously-announced Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency (RE&EE) Trade Policy Mission to Lima, Peru from November 4-5, 2014.  The mission will focus on creating a policy environment conducive to growth in Peru’s RE&EE market and will introduce U.S. RE&EE exporters to key Peruvian Government officials, a month before Peru hosts the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change annual meeting (COP-20).


Webinar: Renewable Energy & Energy Efficiency Opportunities in Peru
Date Change: August 12, 2014
The U.S. Department of Commerce will a host webinar to highlight renewable energy and energy efficiency export opportunities to Peru – one of Latin America’s fastest growing markets. Participants will: hear from Commerce Department officials stationed in Lima, Peru; learn about an upcoming RE&EE Trade Policy Mission scheduled to visit Peru in November, 2014; and discuss best practices with U.S. exporters familiar with the Peruvian clean energy market. Click here to register.

Renewable Energy India
September 3-5, 2014- Greater Noida, India
This U.S. Commercial Service-certified event brings together decision makers and influencers as well as technical experts and professionals from companies involved in the renewable energy generation, transmission and distribution within India and around the world. 

Power Brazil
October 21 - 23, 2014 – This is a U.S. Department of Commerce Certified Trade Fair featuring the leading utilities and energy sector stakeholders in Brazil. The U.S. Commercial Service is working closely with the organizers of Power Brazil to provide a variety of services and benefits for U.S. companies exhibiting at this event, which will bring together key players in Brazil's power generation, transmission & distribution, and smart grid industries.

Infrastructure Business Development Mission to Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan
December 3– 11, 2014
Registration Deadline: September 12, 2014
ITA is organizing an Executive-led Infrastructure Business Development Mission to Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan (with optional West Bank briefings).  The purpose of the mission is to introduce U.S. firms and trade associations to Morocco, Egypt, and Jordan’s rapidly expanding infrastructure markets and to assist U.S. companies to pursue export opportunities in these markets.

 


What's New?

U.S. and WTO Members Launch Negotiations on Environmental Goods Agreement
On July 8, 2014, the United States and 13 other WTO members, accounting for 86 percent of global trade in environmental goods, launched negotiations on the Environmental Goods Agreement (EGA) in Geneva, Switzerland.  The EGA aims to eliminate tariffs on environmental technologies such as wind turbines, water treatment filters, and solar water heaters. Tariffs on environmental goods can be as high as 35% and pose a significant barrier to trade for U.S. companies.

Ex-Im Bank Finances Export of U.S.-Manufactured Wind Turbines to Talas de Maciel Wind Farm in Uruguay
The Export-Import Bank of the United States (Ex-Im Bank) is providing a $64.5 million direct loan to Astidey S.A., in Montevideo, Uruguay, for the purchase of U.S.-manufactured wind-turbine generators being exported by Gamesa Technology Corporation Inc., headquartered in Feasterville-Trevose, Pa.

OPIC Board Approves Financing for Solar Plant in Chile
The Board of Directors of the Overseas Private Investment Corporation, the U.S. Government’s development finance institution, has approved an investment guaranty of up to $230 million to First Solar, Inc. to support construction and operation of the Luz del Norte power project, a solar photovoltaic park in Chile’s Atacama desert. This will be the largest photovoltaic project in Latin America once complete, producing 141 megawatts of renewable energy.

SunEdison, IDB, OPIC and CorpBanca Close $190 Million Project Financing for Largest Merchant Solar Plant in Latin America
SunEdison, Inc., a leading global solar technology manufacturer and provider of solar energy services today announced the closing of a $155 million non-recourse debt financing arrangement with OPIC, IDB (Inter-American Development Bank), CTF (Clean Technology Fund), and CorpBanca, a Chilean commercial bank. The debt proceeds will be used in Chile for the construction of a 72.8 MWp solar power plant, to inject energy directly into the Sistema Interconectado del Norte Grande (SING), selling all its production in the spot market (merchant solar).

USTDA Supports China’s Efforts to Combat Global Climate Change
U.S. Trade and Development Agency Director Leocadia I. Zak signed grants for three activities that support the United States' and China's joint commitment to mitigating the effects of global climate change. "USTDA has partnered with China on over 50 environment and climate change projects since 2001," said Director Zak. "Building on past efforts, these new activities will highlight innovative U.S. technologies that can help reduce greenhouse gases and improve energy efficiency in China."

 

 

 








Market Research

Canada Market Intelligence Brief (ITA, May 2014)
Canada: Energy Sector Overview PDF (ITA, Mar 2014
Renewable Energy Top Markets (ITA, Feb 2014)

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA):
-Pan-Arab Renewable Energy Strategy 2030: Roadmap of Actions for Implementation
-Renewable Islands: Settings for Success






Trade Leads

EU-Funded Fuel Cell Research Projects Opened to U.S. Firms
The European Commission’s Fuel Cells and Hydrogen Joint Undertaking announced $890 million in funding opportunities for research and demonstration projects to accelerate the market introduction of fuel cell and hydrogen energy technologies in Europe. U.S. firms are eligible to join a consortia of European Industry Grouping members and research organizations that receive EU funding. In order to become a potential partner of a consortium, U.S. companies are encouraged to engage with members of the IG and to contact Isabelle Maelcamp or Ilona Shtrom at the Commercial Service in Brussels.

San Jose Hydroelectric Project
Bolivia has received funding from the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) to finance the San Jose Hydroelectric Project, which mainly consists in: construction of civil works of San Miguelito Reservoir; penstocks; San Jose 1 and San Jose 2 powerhouses; supply and installation of electromechanical equipment. For more information, please see the announcement or contact Leah Pillsbury, PillsburyLH@state.gov, at the State Department.

China: Fuel Cell Application for Telecommunications
A USTDA grant is funding a feasibility study and pilot project for Jiangsu Communications Services Company, Ltd. to evaluate fuel cell applications within the telecommunications infrastructure in China and achieve a design that is targeted and acceptable to the vast potential of the Chinese market. The fuel cell systems would be used for both backup and baseload or off-grid power, replacing lead acid batteries and diesel fueled combustion generators. The contractor for the activity is First Element Energy based in Lenexa, Kansas.

Bull Creek Wind Project
With approval from the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) secured, the Bull Creek wind project ($240 million estimated cost) is a major opportunity for U.S. exporters. These opportunities can be found in the projects planned 46 wind turbines, associated access roads, power lines and transformer station, and an operations facility. Please contact Jared Byrne, the Commercial Specialist in the Clean Technology sector at the U.S. Commercial Service in Canada at Jared.Byrne@trade.gov or (403) 265-2116.




Reference Guides

Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Exporter's Guide
Export Programs Guide
Trade Finance Guide
Protect Your Intellectual Property




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