USTDA Brings U.S. Industry Together to Advance Climate-Smart Infrastructure in Emerging Markets
Washington, DC – In conjunction with the Leaders Summit on Climate, President Joseph R. Biden Jr. launched the U.S. Trade and Development Agency’s Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure – an initiative with U.S. industry and government partners that will deliver clean energy and transportation solutions to emerging markets around the world. President Biden announced the partnership during a keynote speech on the broad economic benefits of climate action and the importance of ensuring that all communities and workers benefit from the transition to a clean energy economy.
“Nations that work together to invest in the cleaner economy will reap rewards for their citizens. The United States is committed – we are committed to making those investments to grow our economy here at home while connecting with markets around the world,” said President Biden. “For example, we are launching a new Global Partnership for Climate-Smart Infrastructure. This will create good-paying jobs here in America by supporting development of new, clean infrastructure in our partner countries. These are the sort of partnerships that are going to be good for all of us.”
“USTDA’s Global Climate Partnership reflects the bold action that the Biden Administration is taking to demonstrate America’s commitment to tackling the climate crisis and rallying the rest of the world,” said USTDA Acting Director Enoh T. Ebong. “It will help put the world on a sustainable climate pathway using American technology made by American workers. And it will help build more modern and resilient infrastructure for our overseas partners.”
USTDA’s launch partners for the Global Climate Partnership include U.S. industry groups whose members produce innovative energy and transportation sector technologies and can deploy them around the world. These partners include the American Clean Power Association, Intelligent Transportation Society of America, National Electrical Manufacturers Association, Solar Energy Industries Association, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. U.S. government launch partners include the U.S. Departments of Commerce, Energy and Transportation, and the Export-Import Bank of the United States.
This partnership with U.S. industry leverages USTDA’s project preparation and partnership-building activities in emerging markets. Since 1992, USTDA has supported $4.1 billion in U.S. climate technology and services exports from 350 communities across the United States, including $337 million in exports from 180 small U.S. businesses.
As part of the launch, USTDA has released a Global Climate Partnership webpage to connect American companies with the latest information on the business opportunities associated with this initiative, including press releases related to USTDA’s growing climate-smart investment portfolio, requests for proposals for U.S. companies to bid on USTDA-funded activities, upcoming climate-related partnership building activities, and real-time emerging market trade leads.
For more information on USTDA’s climate-smart investment portfolio, please view USTDA’s Global Climate Partnership Fact Sheet.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries. In 2020 every $1 USTDA invested in its programs generated $112 in U.S. exports. USTDA has facilitated $74 billion in U.S. exports since its founding in 1992, supporting 4,000 infrastructure activities in 139 countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency awarded a grant to India’s Shivman Wind Energy Private Limited (Shivman) for a feasibility study to develop a state-of-the-art 300 MW renewable power facility in Gujarat, India. Shivman selected Illinois-based Evergreen Power Solutions to perform the study.
“Gujarat is one of India’s most promising states for wind and solar power generation. USTDA’s study will help Shivman tap into this significant potential by planning a new wind and solar power plant that will store energy using battery technology,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Our support for this project puts into action a broader U.S. government policy to work with our overseas partners to set the world on a sustainable climate pathway. Moreover, this project has the potential to support significant exports of U.S.-based clean energy solutions.”
USTDA’s feasibility study will provide Shivman with critical wind and solar resource assessments and conceptual designs for energy storage, ensuring that the project will be a source of reliable clean energy. The project’s hybrid design will mitigate renewable energy variability to help stabilize Gujarat’s regional electricity grid, increase overall efficiency and lower the cost of electricity.
“This project is an opportunity for U.S. and Indian companies to work together to achieve their clean energy goals and create jobs in both our countries,” said Consul General David J. Ranz from the U.S. Consulate General in Mumbai. “Gujarat is amongst the leading states in India on renewable energy and I look forward to visiting this installation in Jamnagar,” he added.
Amit Kambariya, Managing Director of Shivman, said: “Shivman is pleased to have reached this milestone and received the confidence, trust and support of USTDA to further the rural electrification goals in India. We are a regional company under the Opera Energy group with a vision of becoming an international player. We hope to work with USTDA and U.S. companies such as Evergreen Power to grow the energy sector in India.”
USTDA’s grant advances the goals of the U.S. – India Strategic Energy Partnership’s Renewable Energy Pillar and the Administration’s initiatives to expand clean energy resources and energy access, in addition to reducing carbon, in the Indo-Pacific region.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – The U.S. Trade and Development Agency has awarded a technical assistance grant to Thailand’s Provincial Electricity Authority (PEA) to help modernize its electrical grid and transform the delivery of power to more than 20 million customers across Thailand. USTDA’s grant will help digitalize PEA’s grid, enabling the integration of advanced technologies that will increase energy efficiency, lower costs for consumers and support the utilization of renewable energy. PEA has selected California-based Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) to carry out the assistance.
“For more than 20 years, USTDA has partnered with PEA to support the expansion and evolution of its power systems through thoughtful analysis and planning,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “This project will accelerate the utility’s digital transformation to better meet the needs of Thailand’s consumers. It will address climate change through greater energy efficiency, while creating export opportunities for U.S. suppliers of high-quality grid solutions. This is USTDA’s eleventh collaboration with PEA, which has made numerous investments in American information and communications technology infrastructure as a result of our partnership.”
USTDA’s technical assistance will deliver a world-class information architecture and data management strategy to accelerate PEA’s adoption of smart grid infrastructure and other advanced technologies. The digitalization of PEA’s network will also enable greater integration of renewable power generation and deployment of distributed energy resources such as battery storage and electric vehicles across Thailand. Ultimately, these improvements will advance Thailand’s role as a regional leader in digitalization and green transformation of the economy.
“PEA expresses gratitude to USTDA for its ongoing assistance and welcomes EPRI’s technical contributions,” said Sompong Preeprem, PEA Governor. “PEA is confident that USTDA’s thoughtful actions together with EPRI’s guidance will bring successful outcomes. Digitalized management of grid model data will enable PEA to more rapidly modernize its grid and integrate advanced technologies.”
EPRI President and CEO, Dr. Arshad Mansoor, added, “EPRI is thrilled to help modernize Thailand’s grid. Gathering, managing, and analyzing data – electricity supply, demand, consumption, price, reliability risks, among other variables – is essential to efficient energy resource management. Electricity is the backbone of any economy and its reliable, affordable delivery is critical to economic prosperity for Thailand and the entire Southeast Asia region. Global electricity demand continues to rise, and as more segments of our global economy become reliant on electricity, projects like the one underway at PEA are timely and necessary.”
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Arlington, VA – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced a grant to the Philippines’ Department of Transportation (DOTr) for technical assistance to improve mobility and reduce traffic congestion in Metro Cebu. USTDA’s assistance will develop a comprehensive plan to deploy an intelligent transportation system in the Philippines’ second largest metropolitan area.
“This project underscores USTDA’s commitment to supporting climate-smart transportation infrastructure solutions,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “Through this partnership with DOTr, we are supporting the adoption of state-of-the-art traffic control technologies that will improve mobility and reduce emissions on Metro Cebu’s roadways.”
USTDA’s grant will assist DOTr in evaluating smart mobility solutions through the development of a master plan for Metro Cebu’s 13 local government units. The project is expected to play a critical role in enhancing system-wide transportation infrastructure improvements in Metro Cebu, including a new bus rapid transit system that is currently under development.
“With this grant signing, we are finally getting closer to realizing our dream. Having an intelligent transport system means having a seamless movement of people and services,” said Department of Transportation Secretary Arthur P. Tugade. “That’s why our initiative involves the harmonization of several projects in Metro Cebu, including a Bus Rapid Transit, express service going to the airport and eventually integrating it to rail line projects.”
Secretary Tugade added: “We have been pursuing the implementation of this Integrated Transportation System so that Cebuanos will be able to experience a comfortable and convenient life through enhanced connectivity and mobility in and around the city.”
U.S. businesses interested in submitting proposals for the USTDA-funded technical assistance should visit www.ustda.gov/work/bid-on-an-overseas-project.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
Bogotá, Colombia – Today, the U.S. Trade and Development Agency announced the renewal of its partnership with Colombia’s National Agency for Public Procurement, Colombia Compra Eficiente, to support the development of high-quality public infrastructure through value-for-money training. Under USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value (GPI), USTDA and Colombia Compra Eficiente signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will deepen a bilateral partnership on procurement best practices that began in 2016.
“Renewing USTDA’s partnership with Colombia builds on our history of strong collaboration to build better, high-quality and resilient infrastructure,” said Enoh T. Ebong, USTDA’s Acting Director. “The Government of Colombia has made great strides over the last few years at the federal, state, and local levels. Their public procurement officials have utilized the GPI to great effect and have shown a lasting commitment to improve transparency, international competition, and use of best practices in public procurement.”
Under the partnership with Colombia Compra Eficiente, USTDA will support trainings on international best practices and the integration of best value methodologies. The trainings will be carried out in coordination with the George Washington University Law School’s Government Procurement Law program and U.S. expert practitioners with extensive procurement experience in government, the private sector and higher education. This second stage of USTDA’s partnership with Colombia Compra Eficiente will deepen Colombia’s workforce professionalization efforts, as well as focus on improving the use of analytical tools such as life-cycle cost analysis and other sector-specific procurement best practices.
“Our renewed partnership with USTDA will deepen our countries’ long history of collaboration to secure better procurement outcomes and make sound, competitive investments,” said José Andrés O’Meara Riveira, Director General of Colombia Compra Eficiente, “Public procurement is critical to delivering goods and services to Colombian citizens, and the integration of best practices such as life-cycle cost analysis results in increased integrity, efficiency, and value.”
Since 2013, USTDA’s Global Procurement Initiative: Understanding Best Value has assisted public officials in emerging economies to better understand the total cost of ownership of goods and services for infrastructure projects. The Initiative now includes 12 partner countries, and USTDA continues to review requests from additional countries to participate in the GPI.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency helps companies create U.S. jobs through the export of U.S. goods and services for priority development projects in emerging economies. USTDA links U.S. businesses to export opportunities by funding project preparation and partnership building activities that develop sustainable infrastructure and foster economic growth in partner countries.
MEDIA INQUIRIES: Paul Marin | (703) 875-4357
