José Ignacio Hormaeche, Director of the Basque Energy Cluster, opened the session highlighting the excellent opportunity which may be offered by REINA PLUS for European companies to approach the North African energy sector.
Merinova Energy Vaasa is co-ordinating the activity aimed at the target North African market and therefore provided an overview of the North African's current energy mix and the identified energy needs. Companies on the other hand were invited to participate and express their views and needs regarding their activities in North Africa.

The difficulties and challenges to meet the key actors and decision makers of the African energy sector were highlighted in the meeting.

To do so, a platform in North Africa where African energy infrastructure investors could meet European energy technology providers will be created in the frame of ReinaPLUS.
This is the case of the POWER FOR AFRICA FORUM, which will be organized from 22 to 24 November in Tunis (Tunisia) in close cooperation with Cleantech Finland, Tunisian Ministry of development, International cooperation, STEG-IS and other strategic partners.

The forum is expected to gather over 300 delegates with extensive experience and commitment to Africa. African Power Utilities managers, biggest mining industries, investors and policy makers from across Africa will share insights on the strategies, future investments, needs and challenges within the Energy Sector.
On the other hand, the proposed joint mission will give Basque companies the opportunity to learn first-hand the possibilities offered by the North African energy markets and kick start technological and/or commercial cooperation. Moreover, the meetings will help to reinforce the Basque value chain position in this continent and showcase the potential that companies of the ReinaPLUS partnership can offer in these sectors thanks to their skills and experience.

About Reina PLUS
In 2016 and 2017, a consortium of European clusters led by the Basque Energy Cluster will develop the REINA PLUS project, funded by the European Commission DG GROW as part of the Clusters Go International Cooperation call of the European Programme COSME. Along with the Basque Energy Cluster, the following clusters will also take part in REINA PLUS: MERINOVA from Finland, OÖ. Energiesparverband from Austria and EnergyIn from Portugal.
The purpose of the project is to promote, support and strengthen the internationalisation of European companies in the field of renewable energies and electrical grids in a series of international markets identified as high potential markets in these fields: Mexico, Brazil, Chile, the USA and North Africa (Morocco, Tunisia, and Algeria). Co-operation among European energy clusters also aims to foster collaboration between companies to address international markets and integrate European companies in value chains competing globally in the field of renewable energies.

Reina PLUS ESCP-4i will keep you regularly informed of any actions launched!