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Why
is the UK involved?
The
market for PV in developing countries is potentially enormous
- with over 2 billion people without access to modern electricity
services. Task 9 is aiming to encourage the appropriate deployment
of PV as a serious option for rural electrification in developing
countries.
The
PV market is potentially worth billions of pounds and the
UK is currently well placed to capitalise on this market.
However, from a market perspective, PV is still in its infancy.
If the UK is to be a major player in a well-developed and
mature industry, it is important that the current market share
is retained and investment in the industry made in its early
development.
UK
involvement in Task 9 is seen as complementary to all the
other activities within the PVPS programme and also helps
in meeting one of the DTI's aims by supporting British industry
to be more competitive and expand into new markets - particularly
export markets.
The
UK acts as the Operating Agent (leader) for this activity.
As well as leading the current work the UK has been leading
Task 9 over the last 5 years (Phase 1) and was a key driving
force behind its success and the development of Phase 2 of
Task 9 for the period 2004 to 2009. The provision of a UK
Operating Agent not only confirms the leadership of the UK
in market-ready PV, but assists in facilitating access to
funding opportunities from the World Bank, EC and other International
Agencies as well as assisting UK companies, and SMEs in particular,
in exploiting export opportunities. UK leadership of the Task
also elevates British knowledge and involvement with CDM and
JI activities.
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