African Union Commission
Date: 2020-04-22
The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA )report they work closely to advance renewable energy across Africa to bolster the continent's response to the Covid-19 crisis.

The AU and IRENA collaboration complements ongoing AU programmes, which include: the Africa Bioenergy Policy Framework and Guidelines; Renewable Energy in African Island States; Development of Small Hydropower in Africa; Geothermal Risk Mitigation Facility; and the Programme for Infrastructure Development in Africa (PIDA) as well as the Strategy for integrated approach for provision of basic infrastructure in rural and remote areas of Africa. This is in addition to other African initiatives such as Desert to Power, Coalition for Sustainable Energy Access, and the Africa Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI) -- an Africa owned and led drive to scale up renewable energy -- consolidating efforts from the international community to address the needs of African countries.

The AU and IRENA will also collaborate in the context of IRENA's Clean Energy Corridors initiatives in East, West and Southern Africa focused on advancing the deployment of renewables through the creation of larger and more robust power markets encouraging cross-border trade of renewable power.

These commitments build on existing cooperation between the AU and IRENA to strengthen the enabling environment for low-carbon, climate-resilient renewable energy investment as the continent seeks to raise its renewable energy ambition. (Source: African Union Commission, IRENA, Modern Diplomacy, 20 April, 2020) Contact: African Union Commission, www.au.int/en/commission; IRENA, www.irena.org

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IRENA
Date: 2020-04-10
Francesco La Camera, head of the International Renewable Energy Agency (TRENA) has urged governments to put decarbonisation efforts at the center of their economic rescue packages, noting the recent oil price crash makes the business case for renewables development stronger.

In a recently released statement, the IRENA director said government economic responses to the recovery effort must look to the medium and long-term and should use the UN 2030 agenda. (Source: IRENA, ENB, 9 April, 2020) Contact: IRENA, www.irena.org

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IRENA
Date: 2020-03-30
A recent analysis from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) reports battery energy storage systems are emerging as one of the key solutions to effectively integrate high shares of solar and wind renewables into power grids worldwide.

The IRENA analysis notes that when paired with renewable generators, batteries help provide reliable and cheaper electricity in isolated grids and to off-grid communities. The analysis also notes utility-scale battery storage systems are being deployed primarily in Australia, Germany, Japan, United Kingdom, the United States and other European countries. Globally, energy storage deployment in emerging markets is expected to increase by over 40 pct each year until 2025. The report adds that although utility-scale stationary batteries currently dominate global energy storage, small-scale battery storage is expected to significantly increase by 2030.

Read IRENA's full Innovation landscape briefs on Utility-scale batteries and Behind-the-Meter batteries. HERE. (Source: IRENA, 29 Mar., 2020) Contact: IRENA, www.irena.org

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International Renewable Energy Agency
Date: 2020-01-27
International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is reporting publication of its Future of Wind Energy reports, a few details of whic follow below:

The accelerated deployment of wind power, together with significant electrification, could provide a large part (6.3 Gt) of the annual reductions in CO2 emissions required by 2050.

Wind energy can cover more than a third of the world's energy needs , which adapts to the world's main power generation. To achieve this goal, the capacity of wind turbines installed in the world must reach 6,000 gigawatts, more than 10 times the current level, by 2050. This would include 5,000 GW of wind power on land and 1,000 GW of offshore wind farm plants.

Asia could soon become the dominant wind energy market in the world, representing more than 50 pct of the country's wind farms and 60 pct in 2050. Chinese wind power capacity could jump from 230 GW in 2018 to more than 2,600 GW in 2050.

This report outlines the role of wind power in the transformation of the global energy system based on IRENA's climate resilient pathway, specifically the growth in wind power deployments that would be needed in the next three decades to achieve the Paris climate goals. Download the IRENA Future of Wind Energy Report HERE. (Source: IRENA, reve, 25 Jan., 2020) Contact: IRENA, www.irena.org

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IRENA
Date: 2020-01-27
IRENA is reporting the Kingdom of Jordan's investments in the renewable energy sector have reached more than $5 billion, placing the country of 10.4 million inhabitants among leading countries in providing a legislative environment and attracting investment in the sector.

According to the report, "2014 witnessed the kingdom's serious development of the solar and wind energy projects supplying clean energy to the national grid with a total capacity of approximately 1,500 megawatts, which account for some 20 pct of total electricity generated." (Source: IRENA, Jordan Weekly, 26 Jan., 2020) Contact: IRENA, www.irena.org

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IRENA
Date: 2020-01-13
Following up on our Dec 9th 2019 coverage, in Zimbabwe a planned jatropha bio-diesel processing plant in Mount Hampden is reported to have secured a $12 million concessionary loan repayable over 20-25 years from the IRENA Abu Dhabi Fund for Development.

The loan will finance the construction of a bio-diesel plant an the cultivation of additional Jatropha plants in Mudzi. (Source: IRENA, Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, Sunday Mail, Bulawayo24News, Jan., 2020)Contact: Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, www.zera.co.zw; IRENA Abu Dhabia Fund for Development, www.irena.org

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Zimbabwe
Date: 2019-12-09
In Harare, the Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority (ZERA) is reporting the mothballing of a planned jatropha bio-diesel processing plant in Mount Hampden due to "logistical challenges" -- funding.

To address the issue, the government has applied for $12 million from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) to support its Jatropha bio-diesel project and various research programmes aimed at improving jatropha plant cultivation and processing. The plant is also expected to blend conventional diesel with jatropha biodiesel at 2 pct or greater. (Source: Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, Bulawayo24News, Dec. 6, 2019)Contact: Zimbabwe Energy Regulatory Authority, www.zera.co.zw

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IRENA
Date: 2019-10-23
Decarbonization of the energy sector and the reduction of carbon emissions to limit climate change is at the heart of the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA'S) energy transformation roadmaps. The attached roadmaps examine and provide an assertive yet technically and economically feasible pathway for the deployment of low-carbon technology towards a sustainable and clean energy future.

The first is an energy pathway set by current and planned policies. The second is a cleaner climate-resilient pathway based largely on more ambitious, yet achievable, uptake of renewable energy and energy efficiency measures, which limits the rise in global temperature to well below 2 degrees C and closer to 1.5 degrees C above pre-industrial levels and is aligned within the envelope of scenarios presented in the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Special Report on Global Warming of 1.5 degree C.

This report outlines the role of wind power in the transformation of the global energy system based on IRENA's climate resilient pathway, specifically the growth in wind power deployments that would be needed in the next three decades to achieve the Paris climate goals.

Download the IRENA report HERE, (Source: IRENA, Oct., 2019) Contact: IRENA, www.irena.org

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Gasmeth Energy
Date: 2019-02-06
In Kigali, privately held Gasmeth Energy Limited reports it will invest $400 million or more $400 million in the construction and maintenance of a methane gas extraction processing and compression project in Lake Kivu. The Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board (RMB) and Rwanda Development Board (RDB )are also participating in the project.

When fully operational, the Kivu 56 project is expected to supply 56 MW of power to Rwanda's national grid under a 25-year concession agreement. Two private investors -- Contour Global and Symbion Power -- are currently extracting methane gas from Lake Kivu.

Lake Kivu is one of the African Great Lakes. It lies on the border between the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Rwanda, and is in the Albertine Rift, the western branch of the East African Rift. Lake Kivu empties into the Ruzizi River, which flows southwards into Lake Tanganyika. (Source: Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, Gasmeth Energy, New Times, Feb., 2019) Contact: Rwanda Mines, Petroleum and Gas Board, minirena.gov.rw

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Abu Dhabi Fund for Development
Date: 2019-01-14
The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development (ADFD), the leading national entity for international development aid, reports the signing of a $10 million concessionary loan agreement with the Government of Mauritius to fund a rooftop solar photovoltaic (PV) kits project. The project, which aims to provide 10,000 solar PV kits to low-income communities, is being financed through the IRENA/ADFD Project Facility.

The project will contribute to Mauritius achieving its national goal of 35 pct renewable electricity by 2025.

Since 1971, ADFD has financed development projects in 88 countries across the globe, including 40 African nations. (Source: ADFD, arabianindustry.com, 13 Jan., 2019) Contact: ADFD, Mohammed Saif Al Suwaidi, Director General , www.adfd.ae/english/Pages/Home.aspx

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International Renewable Energy Agency
Date: 2019-01-11
In Ottawa, the Canadian Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi has announced that Canada has joined the 159-menber International Renewable Energy Agency (IREA) as its newest member.

According to the release, IREA membership means Canada will promote its expertise in the development and deployment of renewable energy technologies and increase the presence and visibility of its cleantech sector internationally and demonstrate its leadership in renewable energy. (Source: Natural Resources Canada, PR, Canadian Biomass, 9 Jan., 2019) Contact: International Renewable Energy Agency, www.irena.org

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Greenhouse Gas Management Institute ,Carbon Institute
Date: 2018-10-15
Rwanda and the Washington, DC-headquartered Greenhouse Gas Management Institute and Carbon Institute have signed a Memorandum of Understanding to launch an international 7-year partnership for carbon accounting in Rwanda, according to a statement from the Rwanda Ministry of Environment.

The agreement will enhance the implementation of Rwanda's Green Growth and Climate Resilience Strategy and enable the country to participate in international emissions reduction mechanisms including the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM), Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions (NAMAs), and the mechanism for Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD+). It will also allow Rwanda to become a regional training center for carbon accounting in the Central African Forest Commission (COMIFAC) and Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) regions. The signatories will also collaborate to develop an Advanced Terrestrial Carbon Accounting Certificate programme at the University of Rwanda. (Source: Rwanda Ministry of Environment, Rwanda New Times, 13 Oct., 2018) Contact: Greenhouse Gas Management Institute, (202)350-9047, info@ghginstitute.org, https://ghginstitute.org; Rwanda Ministry of Environment, www.minirena.gov.rw

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International Renewable Energy Agency,Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
Date: 2018-09-07
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), International Energy Agency (IEA), and Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) have release their joint report titled, Renewable Energy Policies in a Time of Transition.

The publication provides policymakers with a comprehensive understanding of the diverse policy options to support the development of renewables across sectors, technologies, country contexts, energy market structures, and policy objectives. The report concludes that despite rapid technology development in renewable energy and energy efficiency, additional measures and more comprehensive policies are needed to achieve the transition to a low carbon, renewable energy economy.

The report includes: general background information; in-depth analysis of status, trends and policies for renewable energy in heating and cooling, transport, and power generation; policies for integrating renewables and transforming power systems.

Download the Renewable Energy Policies in a Time of Transition report HERE. (Source: IRENA, IISD, August, 2018) Contact: IRENA, +91 2 417 9000,www.irena.org; Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century, www.ren21.net

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IRENA
Date: 2018-07-20
In Abu Dhabi, the International Renewable Energy Agency's (IRENA) just published Nurturing Offshore Wind Markets: Good practices for International Standardisation report concludes that "offshore wind energy stands on the cusp of rapid and widespread growth." The report, which is based on the findings of numerous interviews with industry experts, associations, literature, research and discussions with stakeholders in IRENA member countries, notes that globalization and trading of the technology require market confidence in the technology and internationally harmonized specifications, standards and quality control measures. are 'key instruments.'

The report also calls upon the global offshore wind energy development industry to actively engage in ongoing international standardisation processes for the technology and to foster cross-fertilisation between offshore wind and other industry sectors - particularly those using similar technology or operating in similar environments, such as onshore wind and offshore oil & gas. (Source: IRENA, Maritime Journal, 16 July, 2018) Contact: IRENA, Francisco Boshell, Analyst -- Markets and Standards for Renewable Energy Technologies, +91 2 417 9000,www.irena.org

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IRENA
Date: 2018-05-30
According to the Renewable Energy & Jobs Report report from the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), renewable energy employment worldwide is concentrated in China, Brazil, the United States, India, Germany and Japan. China accounts for more than 40 pct of all renewable energy jobs -- 83 pct in solar heating and cooling and 66 pct in the solar photovoltaics sector, but less in wind power. Both wind power and solar heating and cooling declined as the pace of new capacity additions slowed.

Large hydropower employment job markets were led by China, India and Brazil, followed by the Russian Federation, Pakistan, Indonesia, Iran and Viet Nam, according to IRENA. (Source: IRENA, brand-e, Others, 29 May, 2018) Contact: IRENA, +91 2 417 9000, www.irena.org

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International Renewable Energy Agency
Date: 2018-05-28
Canadian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Natural Resources, Kim Rudd, reports Canada has begun the application process for membership in the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable energy accounts for two-thirds of Canada's power generation and approximately 20 pct of its total final energy supply. Renewable power generation in Canada increased from 78 GW in 2009 to 99 GW in 2017. In addition to plentiful hydro resources, Canada also has significant wind, biomass, solar, marine and geothermal energy potential.

Currently, 181 countries and the European Union are engaged in IRENA's work. (Source: International Renewable Energy Agency, Bioenergy International, Other Media 26 May, 2018)Contact: IRENA, Adnan Z. Amin, Director General, Timothy Hurst, Chief of Communications, +971 2 417 9000 , thurst@irena.org, www.irena.org

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International Renewable Energy Agency
Date: 2018-02-21
According to a new report from the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), the EU is currently working towards targets to lower emissions by 15 pct by 2030, bringing it closer to a 40 pct emissions target, when compared with benchmarks in 1990. To that end, the EU will require investment of around €62 billion ($76.5 billion) per year to achieve 34 pct renewables in its power mix by 2030, according to the report.

The 28-member EU, which currently sources around 17 pct of its power from renewables, is likely to consume around 50 pct renewables by 2030, compared to less than 30 pct in 2015. In terms of end-use sectors, renewables would account for 42 pct of energy in buildings, 36 pct in industry as well as 17 per cent in transport, the report adds. (Source: EU, IRENA, The National, 20 Feb., 2018))Contact: IRENA, +91 2 417 9000, www.irena.org

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International Renewable Energy Agency
Date: 2018-01-24
According to the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), solar PV costs are expected to be halved from the current levels by 2020, undercutting, fossil fuels by generating in the range from 3 to 10 cents/kWh range. IRENA suggests this will be driven by rising investments in clean power projects, which will in turn cut the cost of energy for consumers.

ARENA predicted movements toward the "lowest costs yet" for both solar and wind power between now and 2020, with global average costs set to drop to between $0.06/kWh and $0.10/kWh for both wind and solar. (Source: ARENA, International Renewable Energy Agency Jan., 2018) Contact: International Energy Agency, Dr. Faith Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org

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International Energy Agency,IRENA
Date: 2017-07-28
In the jointly published and released Perspectives for the Energy Transition -- Investment Needs for a Low-Carbon Energy System study, the International Energy Agency (IEA) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) have identified technically feasible pathways towards achieving a transition to a low-carbon energy economy.

Published ahead of this months G20 Summit, the IEA/IRENA study explores the investments needed for an energy sector transition that would be consistent objective of the Paris Agreement on climate change. The two agencies note that investments in financing the clean energy transition would yield important co-benefits and that a transformation of the energy system in line with the 2 degree C goal is "technically possible but will require significant policy reforms, carbon pricing and additional technological innovation." The study also addresses policy interventions such as power market reform; significantly increased levels of investment in energy supply and end-use sectors; low-carbon fossil fuel technologies; steady, long-term price signals; near-term scaled-up budgets for technological innovation; and stronger price signals from phasing out fossil fuel subsidies and carbon pricing.

Download the Pespectives for the Energy Transition -- Investment Needs for a Low-Carbon Energy System Report HERE. (Source: IRENA, IISD, 25 July, 2017)Contact: IRENA, +91 2 417 9000, www.irena.org; International Energy Agency, Dr. Fatih Birol, Exec. Dir., +33 1 40 57 65 00, www.iea.org

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