The Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE) engages bilaterally with individual countries in the Middle East and Africa.

Bilateral Partnerships

South Africa

In support of the U.S.-South Africa Energy Dialogue, which facilitates energy cooperation, EERE is leading an initiative to accelerate the deployment of U.S.-manufactured clean energy technology and promote the adoption of increasingly stringent energy-efficient building codes in South Africa.  Launched in 2014, the South Africa Clean Energy Project brings together a team of experts from the U.S. and South Africa, including researchers from the Lawrence Berkeley National Lab and the Global Cool Cities Alliance.  The team is analyzing South African climate zones and sharing insights from the U.S. experience with product standards for building materials, focusing especially on cool surfaces.  Cool surfaces are designed to reflect more sunlight and absorb less heat than standard surfaces.  Building codes, coupled with product labeling and testing procedures, establish a quality standard for products making it easier for U.S. industry to export to one of Africa’s largest markets while ensuring that new construction meets energy efficient standards. 

Israel

EERE collaborates with the Israeli Ministry of National Infrastructure, Energy and Water Resources (MIEW) to conduct jointly-funded research, development, and demonstration projects that aim to successfully commercialize cutting-edge clean energy technologies. The two governments work through the Bi-national Industrial Research and Development (BIRD) Foundation, a quasi-governmental entity that was established in the 1970s to stimulate, promote, and support industrial R&D to mutually benefit the United States and Israel. Using funds provided by EERE and MIEW, BIRD conducts a competitive solicitation that requires a partnership between U.S. and Israeli companies. The foundation provides financial support of up to 50% of a project's total budget.

Saudi Arabia

The Department of Energy and the Government of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia meet regularly through the Saudi Arabia-U.S. Bilateral Energy Consultations. Through this mechanism, EERE and the Saudi government share information on policies and programs to help advance the deployment of renewable energy technologies and increase energy efficiency.

United Arab Emirates

The Department of Energy and UAE’s Masdar Future Energy Company signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in April 2010, recognizing the shared strategic importance of cleaner energy growth. Under this MOU, EERE is partnering with Masdar to advance research priorities related to energy efficiency and renewable energy technologies. This partnership aims to identify technologies that will help Abu Dhabi meet its goals to reduce energy consumption and dependence on fossil fuels, while providing business opportunities for the U.S. private sector.