International Renewable Energy Agency

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Representatives from more than 60 countries met in Berlin in April 2008, at the invitation of the German Government, to discuss the founding of an International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA would be an intergovernmental organization for promoting the adoption of renewable energy worldwide.^[1]

The Berlin meeting saw renewable energy as meeting some of the key challenges facing the world today, and agreed that renewable energy offers many advantages. Renewables contribute to three key major global energy goals: energy security, cost efficiency and environmental protection.^[2]

1 Berlin meeting
2 Rationale for IRENA
3 See also
4 References
5 External links

[edit] Berlin meeting

The Berlin meeting on April 10th and 11th, followed several other meetings which have occurred since 1981 to discuss the formation of IRENA. At Berlin, government representatives met to discuss the objectives, activities, finances, and organizational structure of IRENA. Participants expressed a need to begin a swift transition to a more secure, sustainable renewable energy economy with the assistance of an international body.^[1]

Several countries expressed support for IRENA, and these include Spain, India, Argentina, Mexico, Chile, Portugal and South Africa.^[1]

[edit] Rationale for IRENA

The Berlin meeting saw renewable energy as meeting some of the key challenges facing the world today:

Renewable energy provides sustainable power that will never run dry. Even substantial increases in demand can be met by the enormous energy potential of wind,solar and other renewable energy sources.

Renewable energy brings energy prices under control. With declining production osts, renewable energy guarantees stable energy prices. Indeed, many renewable energy options – particularly small-scale applications – are already competitive. Examples include hot water from solar collectors and electricity from small hydro and wind power.

Renewable energy makes it possible to reduce greenhouse gases and air pollution. Renewable energy mostly causes only very small amounts of greenhouse gases and helps to reduce negative health effects.

Renewable energy can provide energy to the poorest in the world – with no need for expensive grid solutions renewable energy can solve the energy needs of more than a billion people around the globe. ^[2]

Some key advantages of renewables were seen to be:

One of the main advantages of renewable energy is energy security. Renewable energy is home-grown, universally available and not reliant on an electricity grid or oil/gas pipeline infrastructure. It reduces dependency on rapidly diminishing fossil fuel resources. Renewable energy is thus an appropriate option for diversifying supply and increasing domestic supply.

When applied in a sustainable manner, renewable energy can reduce the pressure on natural resources. It therefore helps to combat deforestation, desertification and the loss of biodiversity.

Renewable energy is multifunctional – it can meet electricity, heating and cooling needs as well as providing fuel for vehicles. Renewable technology installations have the advantage of being flexible with regard to scale and can be up and running in a comparatively short space of time. In addition they can be integrated into either the transmission or the distribution system.

Finally, renewable energy technologies stimulate economic growth and job creation. In 2007, more than USD 100 billion was invested worldwide in renewable energy plants, the manufacture of renewable energy devices and related research and development. Some 2.4 million jobs were created in 2006 alone.^[2]

Renewable energies thus represent an adequate response to the challenges faced by the world's population. They are the key to achieving the three key global energy goals: energy security, cost efficiency and environmental protection. IRENA will act as a driver for renewable technologies at the international level.^[2]