06 Nov 2008 05:11:52

International renewable agency to be set up

An international agency to promote the rapid transition to worldwide sustainable use of renewable energy is to be set up early next year.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), an initiative that was originated by Germany, Spain and Denmark but now has 51 adherents, will be founded at a conference on January 26th.

Member states, which include most European countries, Australia, Argentina, Brazil, India, Indonesia and the United Arab Emirates, agreed to the statute for the IRENA at the Final Preparatory Conference held last month in Madrid.

IRENA will act as a global voice for renewables, bringing the new clean technology sector on level with the fossil fuel and nuclear energy organisations.

Hermann Scheer, general chairman of the World Council for Renewable Energy, said: "IRENA aims to become the main driving force in promoting a swift transition towards the extensive and sustainable use of renewable energy worldwide."

According to the United Nations Environment Programme, there are more than 250 gigawatts of renewable energy capacity worldwide – not counting large hydropower.

In 2007 there was a 60 per cent increase in clean energy investments to $148 billion (£93.54 billion).

http://www.irena.org/

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