Roundup: World Bank funds, efficiency bill, EU deal, Russian agreement

The World Bank's board endorsed a new two-year strategy for Haiti that includes improving power access and quality for 600,000 residents. In a statement, the lender said the board approved a US$90mn rebuilding energy infrastructure and access project which targets urban and rural areas, and renewable energy development outside of capital Port-au-Prince. The program also aims to improve the commercial viability of state utility Electricité d'Haïti. *** Panama's national assembly approved in a second debate bill 502, available here in Spanish, that aims to establish general policy guidelines for rational and efficient energy use, and task the energy department with promoting related R&D projects. The executive submitted the initiative in August. *** Dominica's government announced the signing of an agreement with the EU for the 10th European Development Fund general budget support program, a three-year, 8.46mn-euro (US$11mn) initiative that includes funds for renewable (geothermal) energy. *** And Venezuela and Russia signed eight energy agreements that include plans for a 300MW plant, according to the former's state news agency AVN.