The REIF program (Renewable Energy Innovation Fund) is an initiative of the United Nations and the government of Uruguay, which co-finances, together with commercial banks, private investments in technology and infrastructure for the Second Energy Transition.

In addition, REIF provides technical assistance for projects in the pre-application stage, during implementation and evaluation, for the incorporation and implementation of technologies, the inclusion of the gender perspective, and the measurement and reporting of project and company impact.

With the presence of ESCOs and consultants, we presented at LATU the agreement signed between the Cleaner Production Center (CPmL) of the University of Montevideo and the REIF program. Through this agreement, the CPmL will coordinate the TA for the incorporation and start-up of technologies, through the management of a database of companies and consultants in charge of the different technologies, ensuring the quality of the service and agility in execution. The TAs for technology incorporation and start-up include pre-feasibility studies, process optimization and start-up, definition and adjustment of the business model, incorporation of innovation in the investment project, among others.

The opening was in charge of Silvia Lamela, technical coordinator of CPmL-UM and Manuel Albaladejo, UNIDO representative for the Southern Cone. Both highlighted the importance of inter-institutionality to address the challenges of efficiently promoting transformations as important as those of the second energy transition in Uruguay. Pablo Caldeiro, Energy expert of the REIF Investment Committee, together with Marcelo Berglavaz presented this initiative and its operation. 

Step by step

Those projects that are being analyzed by the REIF Investment Committee may be supported by Technical Assistance.

In the event that a TA recommendation is made for the incorporation and implementation of technologies, the CPmL-UM willTo this end, companies and consultants were called to integrate a public list that allows them to be selected to provide the TA referred to, in one or more of the four technological verticals financed by REIF: storage and demand management, Power to X, waste management and treatment, and electric mobility. The registration form will remain open permanently and the list is available on the REIF website.

Once the consultant or company to develop the TA is selected, a contract will be signed between the CPmL- UM, the selected company/consultant and the company receiving the TA, detailing the scope of the TA, the timeframe foreseen for its execution and the form of payment.
In this way, REIF proposes a flexible mechanism adapted to the conditions of each company, with the objective of promoting innovation and encouraging the industry to take the next step towards decarbonization.