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Abu Dhabi:
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)
A new intergovernmental agency IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency)
with focussed activities on alternative energies in both industrialised and
developing countries has been established with its headquarters at Abu Dhabi.
Bonn, Germany at the same time will host IRENA's Centre of Technology and
Innovation and the Agency's liaison office for cooperation with other
organisations active in the field of renewables will be established in Vienna,
Austria. At present, IRENA has 138 Signatories and Ms. Hélène Pelosse has been
appointed the Interim Director-General of the emerging Agency. The overarching
goal of IRENA is a rapid transition towards the widespread and sustainable use
of renewable energy worldwide. In this regard, IRENA will increase the
contribution of renewable energy to environmental and climate protection,
economic growth, and social cohesion, including poverty alleviation and
intergenerational equity. IRENA will promote the widespread adoption and
sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, taking into account the
domestic priorities and benefits derived from a two-pronged approach to
implement both renewable energy and energy efficiency measures. Therefore the
main tasks of IRENA include the provision of comprehensive advice for its
members on selecting and adapting energy sources, technology and system
configurations, business models, as well as organisational and regulatory
frameworks. In addition, emphasis will be placed on helping countries make the
best use of available funding. IRENA will also develop and maintain a
comprehensive knowledge base, e.g. on potentials of renewable energies,
frameworks and policies, investment mechanisms, technology, electricity grids,
conservation, as well as storage and efficiency issues. This knowledge base will
also serve other functions of IRENA. A further key task of IRENA will be to
enhance capacity building with regard to renewable energies. Moreover, the
stimulation of research and cooperation with other organisations, institutions,
and networks is of vital importance to IRENA.
Source: IRENA Website www.irena.org |