IRENA & South East European Countries Collaborate to Boost Regional Renewables Deployment

Bucharest, Romania, 7 October 2016 – In a first-of-its kind workshop concluding today in Bucharest, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and South East European (SEE) countries agreed to strengthen their collaboration to accelerate renewable energy deployment in the region. The workshop, co-organised with the Romanian Ministry of Energy, convened governments, utilities, regulatory authorities, and other regional energy stakeholders to share best practices and solidify partnerships for future action.

Speaking at the event, the Romanian Secretary of State, Corina Popescu said, “We are pleased to host this regional consultative meeting in Bucharest. Romania has developed almost 5,000 megawatts of renewable energy capacity in a short period of time, thereby meeting its 2020 renewable energy target early. The experience gained through this expansion will allow Romania to contribute to creating new frameworks for renewables up to 2030, in line with the expected new European Union Directive on Renewable Energy. I strongly believe today’s meeting will benefit all South East European countries by enabling discussions on lessons learned and by examining the experiences of other partners.” 

IRENA’s Director-General Adnan Z. Amin added: “South East European countries possess significant renewable energy potential. Accelerating regional renewable energy deployment will help the region meet its 2020 renewable energy targets while improving energy security, creating jobs, boosting GDP and improving public health. IRENA looks forward to closely collaborating with the region to support its transition to a sustainable energy future.”

Participants discussed the initial findings of IRENA’s regional gap analysis study, which identifies and analyses the obstacles hindering renewable energy development in the region. Participants also shared views on renewable energy target setting, support schemes and the socio-economic benefits of renewable energy deployment in the region.

As a next step, IRENA will finalise the regional gap analysis, taking into account the outcomes of the workshop. This will constitute a basis for IRENA – in coordination with SEE governments and interested regional stakeholders – to elaborate a regional engagement Action Plan, customised to the specific energy needs of the region.

Participants of the South East Europe Regional Consulation Meeting in Bucharest