European Energy Centre joins IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has welcomed a key European energy training institution as a new partner in its growing worldwide network to promote education and skills acquisition for the renewable energy sector.

The IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership (IRELP) now includes the European Energy Centre (EEC), an internationally recognised non-profit training institute. The EEC, founded in 1975, trains more than 5,000 individuals a year, in over 300 training courses at 21 universities across Europe.

The new partnership combines the strengths of two organisations with a common goal: to promote renewable energy education and training as a prerequisite for the global transition to a sustainable energy future. The partnership will aim to fill the gap of skilled professionals and workers in the renewable energy sector, which remains one of greatest barriers to the wider diffusion of renewable energy technologies.

Hugo Lucas, Director of IRENA’s Knowledge, Policy and Finance Centre, expressed enthusiasm for the partnership.

“By combining the EEC’s experience in developing renewable energy curricula and strong connections with experienced universities across Europe with IRELP’s international reach and knowledge of the sector, we stand well positioned to address the renewable energy skills gap being faced worldwide,” he said.

Responding to rapid changes in demand for skills remains very challenging for education and training providers, and particularly so in developing countries. Utilising close links with universities, the EEC and IRELP aim to increase the number of renewable energy programmes offered worldwide by assisting educational institutions in developing and adapting renewable energy curricula.

"The EEC has been promoting best practices with the United Nations, major universities and leading European and global organisations through classroom-based courses and distance learning for nearly 40 years,” commented the Director of the EEC Director, Paolo Buoni.

“This new partnership with the IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership is confirming once again our commitment to education in the field of renewable energy."

About IRELP, IRENA and EEC

The IRENA Renewable Energy Learning Partnership (IRELP) features more than 1,500 renewable energy courses, degree programmes, training guides, and internship opportunities offered worldwide. IRELP’s vision and mission is to create awareness about skills gaps and labour shortages in the renewable energy sector; raise the profile of renewable energy as an attractive career option; increase awareness of, and accessibility to education opportunities and resources; and assist in the adaptation of education and training structures to enable a global renewable energy transition. IRELP is a project of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), which promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy. (www.irelp.org; info@irelp.org)

The European Energy Centre (EEC), a global leaders in renewable energy training, runs a series of classroom-based renewable energy training courses as well as extending their range of distance-learning courses. (www.EUenergycentre.org/training; training@euenergycentre.org)