International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

About the INTERNATIONAL RENEWABLE ENERGY AGENCY

Mandated by governments worldwide, IRENA promotes the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms or renewable energy. Acting as the global voice for renewable energies, IRENA facilitates access to all relevant renewable energy information, including technical data, economic data and renewable resource potential data. IRENA shares experiences on best practices and lessons learned regarding policy frameworks, capacity-building projects, available finance mechanisms and renewable energy related energy efficiency measures.

Vision

The world’s vast renewable energy resources remain largely untapped. With the global population projected to reach 10 billion in 2050, abundant renewable energy sources worldwide can make a significant contribution to the world’s growing demand for energy. Recognising the huge potential of renewable energy, IRENA’s Member States have joined together to establish an international organisation dedicated to facilitating the rapid development and deployment of renewable energy worldwide. IRENA believes that renewable energy use must, and will increase dramatically in the coming years, because of its key role in

• enhancing energy security
• reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change
• alleviating energy poverty
• supporting sustainable development, and
• boosting economic growth

IRENA’s vision is for a world where modern and effective renewable energy is accessible in all countries and becomes one of the major energy sources.

For a world, where renewable energy technologies are widely deployed and are seen as one of the key energy solutions of the future by all countries.

A world, where the communities currently without reliable energy supply can rely on renewable energy as the base for their economic and social development.

Mission

Mandated by governments worldwide, IRENA’s mission is to promote the widespread and increased adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. IRENA’s Member States pledge to advance renewables in their own national policies and programs, and to promote, both domestically and through international cooperation, the transition to a sustainable and secure energy supply. IRENA’s work is guided by the principles of

• international cooperation between Member States and related stakeholders
• dedication to assisting its Members to harness their renewable energy potential
• accessibility of all the Agency’s services, bearing in mind the special needs of developing countries
• active participation of all its Members in IRENA’s decision making processes
• striving for excellence in all the services produced by the organization
• efficiency and transparency in delivering the organisation’s services, and
• adding value to what is already being done by existing organisations in the field of renewable energy.

IRENA aims to become the leading international centre of excellence for renewable energy and a platform for exchange and development of renewable energy knowledge. Once achieved, IRENA will become the global voice for renewable energy. IRENA will facilitate access to all relevant renewable energy information, including technical data, economic data and renewable resource potential data. IRENA will share experiences on best practices and lessons learned regarding policy frameworks, capacity-building projects, available finance mechanisms and renewable energy related energy efficiency measures.

Action

According to its Statute, IRENA will

• Collect renewable energy related information and knowledge, and analyse and disseminate current renewable energy practices, including policies and incentives, available technologies, and examples of best operational practice.
• Foster international exchanges about renewable energy policy and its framework conditions.
• Provide relevant policy advice and assistance.
• Improve renewable energy knowledge that facilitates technology transfer and promotes the development of local capacity and competence.
• Promote capacity building services such as training and education.
• Provide information and advice on the financing mechanisms available for renewable energy projects.
• Stimulate and encourage research (including on socio-economic issues), by fostering research networks to undertake joint research, development and deployment of technologies.
• Provide information about the development and deployment of national and international technical standards in relation to renewable energy, based on a sound understanding through an active presence in the relevant fora, and
• Disseminate knowledge and information and increase public awareness on the benefits and potential offered by renewable energy.

Resources

IRENA Tools

• Capacity Needs Diagnostics for Renewable Energies (CaDRE)
• Global Atlas for Solar and Wind Energy
• IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership (IRELP)

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IRENA Programs

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References

• Vision and mission brochure
• Statute of IRENA
• 2010 Work Programme