Brazil, Germany, to work on renewables

BRASILIA, Brazil, May 19 (UPI) -- Brazil and Germany have signed a deal on energy cooperation.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and visiting German Chancellor Angela Merkel signed cooperation agreements on the environment and renewable energy, Xinhua reported.

The two leaders officially reaffirmed their strategic partnership, which originally was launched six years ago.

Under the agreements, Germany will give Brazil an $80 million loan for the development of renewable energy, as well as a non-refundable grant of $61 million for sustainable projects and the preservation of the Amazon rain forest in Brazil.

The 15-year energy agreement stresses how to ensure energy supplies in a sustainable way, especially through raising energy effectiveness and the use of alternative energy.

Cooperation will focus on hydroelectric power, wind power, solar power, geothermal power, ocean power and biofuels.