The new edition of the 2013 IDEAS Energy Innovation Contest waslaunched with a call for proposals for improving energy efficiency and expanding access to renewable energy in Latin America and the Caribbean.

Sponsored by GDF SUEZ, the Nordic Development Fund (NDF), the government of South Korea and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB), the contest is seeking proposals that promote innovative solutions to energy problems, benefit local communities or regions, create jobs and contribute to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions.

"This is a unique opportunity for individuals and institutions to receive immediate support from international institutions to innovative ideas in the field of energy," said Arnaldo Vieira de Carvalho, lead energy specialist at the IDB’s Energy Division.

Award winners will receive up to $100,000, as well as technical and business development support to implement and scale up their ideas, moving from a pure concept level to a pilot-tested stage supported by a business plan ready for submission to other financial entities.

Individuals, enterprises and organizations based in countries that are borrowing members of the IDB are invited to submit proposals, which must focus on the adoption, innovation, assimilation, development and transfer of technologies in renewable energy, energy efficiency, climate change mitigation and fossil fuel substitution.

Proposals must be submitted by July 1, 2013, Eastern Time, via the www.iadb.org/ideas website. Winners will be announced after August 30, 2013.

Winners will be announced after August 30, 2013.

HL/ HaitiLibre