This report looks back at IRENA’s growth and development over the eight-year period following its formal establishment as an intergovernmental agency in 2011. This work shows the global transformation not only to be feasible, but also economically and socially beneficial.
The working paper makes a series of recommendations, including the development of clear and stable policy frameworks that enable the private sector to invest with confidence.
This joint study looks at the potential for decarbonisation in the energy sector in G20 countries and around the world. Chapter 3, “Global Energy Transition Prospects and the Role of Renewables”, highlights findings from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
The Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) is a comprehensive tool for assessing the conditions existing in a country for the development and deployment of renewable energy, along with the actions required to improve those conditions. Designed and refined by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) since 2011, the RRA is a country-initiated, country-led process that identifies short- to medium-term actions for the rapid scale-up of renewables.
As El Salvador continues developing, renewables can stimulate local commerce and industry, help reduce electricity tariffs and improve people’s welfare.
Consultations in the Philippines have called for “establishing an enabling environment for mini-grids” to expand energy access and increase national energy security based on renewable sources and technologies. This study makes recommendations to accelerate the development of renewable mini-grids in the country.
Scaling up renewable energy calls for mobilising a massive investment increase. Renewables bring far reaching benefits in terms of human health, energy access, environmental protection and the response to climate change, along with the potential to create new jobs around the world.
This study assesses the potential for manufacturing renewable energy components and examines each country’s supply chain, existing industrial structure and export opportunities for technology components in each sector.
Tourism is an important economic driver for island economies. Energy supply, vital for the tourism industry, is still dominated by oil products which increases islands’ vulnerability to the environmental impact of fossil-fuel use, as well as to oil price volatility, which makes it difficult for the industry to remain competitive
Doubling renewables in the global energy mix by 2030 is not only feasible, but cheaper than not doing so. This second edition of IRENA’s global roadmap provides an in-depth perspective on the energy transition in 40 economies, representing 80% of global energy use. It offers concrete technology options and outlines solutions to accelerate renewable energy growth.
National investment and development decisions designed to address climate change can be strengthened greatly through the incorporation of renewable energy investments.
Like many countries in South East Asia, the Philippines faces twin challenges of population growth and rising energy demand. Dependent on imports for nearly half its primary energy supply, the country is highly exposed to oil price volatility. Frequent tropical storms, meanwhile, adversely impact its energy infrastructure.
The brief, released at the global climate meeting COP25, underlines the opportunity to address the climate threat, decarbonise energy use and simultaneously achieve multiple Sustainable Development Goals.
Mongolia can use its vast renewable energy resources to bolster energy security, reduce pollution, meet global climate commitments and develop regional electricity exports, finds this report prepared jointly by IRENA and Mongolian Ministry of Energy. Electricity output from the country’s solar and wind resources alone could reach 15,000 terawatt-hours per year.
A Renewables Readiness Assessment (RRA) identifies the actions needed to overcome a country’s barriers to renewable energy deployment, with IRENA providing technical support and expertise to facilitate consultations among different national stakeholders.
The size of wind turbines has continuously increased over several decades to boost power generation from this key renewable energy source. As this technology brief from IRENA and IEA-ETSAP notes, large-scale wind farms and larger turbines drive the ongoing reduction of electricity costs.
In 2013, approximately 6.5 million people were employed in the renewable energy industry worldwide, according to this update on employment in the sector from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review 2014 underlines the important role that renewables play in employment creation and growth in the global economy.
East and Southern African countries possess vast potential for renewable energy development. This report assesses the prospects for the power sector in the countries of the ACEC through 2040.
The United States (US) has the potential to lead the global transition to renewable energy. It has some of the best wind, solar, geothermal, hydro, and biomass resources in the world. It also has a vibrant culture of innovation, plentiful financing opportunities, and a highly skilled workforce, alongside an agile and entrepreneurial business sector.
This study aims to estimate the potential for sustainable bioenergy production in Africa through such systems, based on the evaluation of yields for 15 short-rotation woody crops.
This publication presents a structured methodology that countries can use to assess their capacity to produce renewable energy statistics.
Poland can increase its share of renewable energy in power generation to nearly 38% by 2030 (compared to only 7% in 2010). REmap 2030: Renewable Energy Prospects for Poland...
The new report shows 162 gigawatts (GW) or 62% of total renewable power generation added last year had lower costs than the cheapest new fossil fuel option.
Renewable Energy and Jobs – Annual Review presents the status of renewable energy employment, both by technology and in selected countries, over the past year. In this third edition, IRENA estimates that renewable energy employed 8.1 million people around the world in 2015 (excluding large hydropower). This is a 5% increase from the number reported the previous year. In addition, IRENA conducted a second global estimate of large hydropower employment, showing approximately 1.3 million direct jobs in the sector.
Over 5.7 million people are employed directly or indirectly in renewable energy – a figure that could triple by 2030 with the scale-up needed to ensure global energy sustainability. As policy makers look beyond energy security and environmental aspects, the comprehensive Renewable Energy and Jobs report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) examines wider socio-economic benefits, and specifically job creation.