ABSTRACT
As a Small Islands Developing State, Cabo Verde presents low energy intensities and high consumer prices. This structural high cost is explained by several factors. Considering these circumstances and assuming the cultural, social and economic difficulties of the archipelago, the government of Cabo Verde has been making efforts to implement energy efficiency (EE) measures. These intend to tackle the structural high cost of electricity, which is the main driver for this implementation.
Most of these policies, measures and plans are being executed with the support and promotion of international agencies and/or multilateral or bilateral cooperation, namely the United Nations and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). These institutions’ proposals were transformed into national legislation aiming at several EE areas and encouraged the creation of a national energy efficiency market. These actions incentivised the participation of private companies and defined the State as the regulator of private activities.
This chapter analyses recent EE policies, plans and measures in the Cabo Verde islands, focusing on the motivations and development processes of such initiatives. The analysis of Cabo Verde specific context and the conscience of Cabo Verde’s cultural, social and economic circumstances, will allow the evaluation of the effectiveness of EE policies, plans and measures for the country’'s sustainable development.
