The Climate Investment Funds (CIF) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) have partnered with Colombia to launch the Clean Energy Learning Laboratory (CELL), an initiative aimed at supporting the clean energy transition in developing countries.
The initiative, positioned as a South-South learning platform, is being launched at an event in Cartagena, Colombia, this week.
It will enable developing countries to ‘learn from peers and experts, enabling them to address key clean energy challenges – including energy integration, storage solutions, industry decarbonisation, coal transition strategies, and more – and access financing,’ as a statement noted.
Close to 50 government representatives from ministries of energy, finance, and planning from over 30 countries are expected to attend the launch event, along with representatives from the CIF’s multilateral development bank partners, investors, and technical experts.
‘Urgent priority’
“Transforming our energy systems is one of the most urgent priorities facing our world today,” commented Tariye Gbadegesin, CEO, CIF. “At the CIF, we support developing countries to adopt smart, clean technologies that have the potential to drive economic growth.
“The Clean Energy Learning Laboratory is a new kind of platform that will link experts with implementers, to share vital lessons with and between developing nations, and open up much-needed financing opportunities. We are grateful to the Government of Colombia and the IDB, for partnering with us on this launch and for their global leadership on clean energy.”
Colombia is a key CIF partner country, with more than $160 million in Clean Technology Fund (CTF) investments already announced, including $70 million approved in 2023 for energy integration projects.
Just energy transition
“Strengthening ties and opportunities for work and collaboration is fundamental in Colombia’s journey toward a just energy transition, and these types of meetings represent an excellent opportunity to strengthen South-South learning, boosting the country’s leadership in the development of clean energy in the region, with the essential support of the Climate Investment Funds and the IDB,” added Edwin Palma, Minister of Mines and Energy, Government of Colombia.
CELL is set to build on CIF’s 17 years of investment experience in more than 80 developing economies. Read more here.
