Description

Begun in 1988, this program of the California Energy Commission provides assistance in developing overseas energy projects as well as overseas trade opportunities. The program offers many services for companies looking to invest in projects abroad or make sales abroad. Program offerings include an Energy Technology Export Directory of California companies, foreign market and trade analyses, trade missions, orientation visits (foreign officials are invited to California), and Commission counsel to foreign governments.

Though the program focuses on such promotional efforts, it also provides pre-investment seed funding. Examples of projects supported by this program include wind projects in Wales and Costa Rica, a hospital cogeneration plant in Australia, a geothermal power plant in the Philippines, village power projects using solar photovoltaics in Kenya and Tanzania, and electronic controls for chillers in several Asian nations.

The Energy Commission has proposed $250,000 of funding from fiscal year 2002/03. The Energy Commission anticipates making awards of up to $25,000 per pre-construction activity. Applicants are required to provide at least 50 percent of the total cost of the preconstruction activity to be eligible for this fund. The solicitation begins May 24, 2002, with proposals due no later than July 26, 2002. It is expected that awards will be made in September 2002. Total funding for this solicitation is $250,000.