Energy access

Sierra Leone: UN Unveils 'Sustainable Energy for All' Initiative - In recognition of the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All, the United Nations family in Sierra Leone last Thursday launched the Sustainable Energy For All (SE4All) initiative at the UNIPSIL compound, Signal Hill Road in Freetown. (Patrick J. Kamara, All Africa)

Achieving universal access to energy in developing countries -The year 2012 has been declared the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All by the UN, and is part of the Sustainable Energy for All initiative by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon. (Arno Behrens,EU Energy Policy Blog) 

Nigeria: Achieving Steady Electricity Supply - Task Before Nnaji, Diezani - Twenty months after, President Goodluck Jonathan unveiled strategies to end inadequate power supply in the country, Nigerians still rely on generators to power even phone chargers. (Chika Amanze-Nwachuku, All Africa)

Renewable power projects acquired - Cennergi acquires rights to renewable energy projects in the Eastern Cape and North West, a joint venture between Exxaro Resources and Tata. (Siseko Njobeni, Business Day)

Rio+20

Planet under Pressure 2012: here's the wrap - The Planet under Pressure 2012 Conference was held in London a fortnight back and released the first State of the Planet Declaration. (Roger Jones, World News Australia)

Bangladesh must ready itself for Rio Earth Summit - Bangladesh must prepare for negotiations at the upcoming Rio Earth Summit that will focus on economic, social and environmental sustainability, analysts said yesterday. (The Daily Star)

Energy efficiency

LED Streetlight's Price Cut in Half - Lighting manufacturer Cree Inc. says it has halved the cost of its light-emitting-diode streetlights and hopes the new lower prices will sway local governments to adopt the new technology. (Kate Linebaugh, Wall Street Journal)

Rwanda: Peace Corps Introduce Energy Saving Fuel - United States volunteer service organisation, Peace Corps, has introduced energy saving fuel in Rwanda, in an effort to help conserve the environment by reducing the impact of deforestation. (Bosco R. Asiimwe, All Africa)

Renewable energy

Renewable energy: UK making global waves - George Osborne used his Budget speech to set out his vision of a technology-driven industrial strategy, saying he wanted the UK to become “Europe’s technology centre”. “Today we also set Britain this industrial ambition. That we turn Britain into Europe’s technology centre,” he said. (Richard Tyler, The Telegraph)

All Energy 2012 preview: new features revealed - Seven weeks ahead of doors opening in Aberdeen, All-Energy 2012, one of the UK’s largest renewables exhibitions, has revealed three new “zones” that will be featured in the show. (Reinforced Plastics)

Time for a Reset On Our Clean Energy Future - Judging by the numbers, you’d be half-right to conclude that 2011 was a boom year for U.S. renewables. (Arno Harris, Forbes)

Wind energy to help meet green target in India - Sources said India is now estimated to have the potential to generate more than 1 lakh MW from wind power, up from the earlier estimate of 49,000 MW. (Reve)

Sustainable energy policy

Smarter Infrastructure Is What Will Drive Electric Vehicle Adoption - People are deathly afraid of their EVs running out of juice. The only way we’ll stop that is when there are chargers everywhere. (Allan Schurr, Fast Company)