The Ministry of Energy in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the National Environment Agency (NEA) has launched the GEF-5 project entitled: "Greening the productive sectors in The Gambia."

The objective of the project is to promote market-based use and integration of small to medium scale renewable energy systems in the productive area.

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) through its system for transparent allocation of resource had, under the fifth cycle, allocated a grant to The Gambia for the climate change focal area intended for the project that seeks to mitigate the impact of climate change.

Speaking at the launching ceremony, the Minister of Energy, Dr Edward Saja Sanneh, said renewable energy and energy efficiency are technologies of the future that provide the bedrock of sustainable energy supply system of any country.

He said renewable energy technologies are crucial for human livelihoods and maintaining an ecological balance.

"Renewable energy and energy efficiency help increase energy security and access to modern energy services," Dr Sanneh said.

He said with the renewable energy and energy efficiency are central to the energy policy of The Gambia government and as such it would continue to work with partners like GEF and UNDIO to continue to access climate financing to implement more renewable energy and energy efficiency projects in The Gambia.

He said under GEF-4, a similar project was launched in 2012 that saw the development of many demonstration projects as well as the development and enactment of renewable energy law in The Gambia.

"The launching today seeks to consolidate the gains made during the implementation of GEF-4 by undertaking more demonstration projects, developing regulations for the renewable energy sub-sector as well as training more youth and women in renewable energy entrepreneurship," the energy minister said.