Introducing IRENA

The International Renewable Energy Agency


Renewable energy has the potential
to lift communities
out of poverty, reform existing
polluting industries and economic
sectors and create a clean,
more secure energy system.
Therefore, the birth of IRENA is of
great significance it sends a strong
message of hope from
the international community
to the people of our
endangered planet.

Adnan Z. Amin,
IRENA Director-General
 Contents

The International Renewable Energy Agency 3

Founding principles 4

Key facts about IRENA 5

Principal organs of the Agency 6

Director General: Adnan Z. Amin (Kenya) 6

IRENAs activities 7

IRENAs programme 7

IRENA in the renewable energy world 9

2
The International
Renewable Energy Agency

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation

dedicated to renewable energy. In accordance with its Statute, IRENAs objective is to promote
the widespread and increased adoption and the sustainable use of all forms of renewable
energy (Article II). This concerns all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a
sustainable manner, which include bioenergy, geothermal energy, hydropower, ocean, solar, and
wind energy.

IRENA was founded on 26 January 2009 in Bonn, Germany, by 75 States which signed its
Statute. As of January 2012, the membership of IRENA comprises 155 States and the European
Union (EU), out of which 86 States and the EU have ratified the Statute.

IRENA is the first global intergovernmental organisation to be established in decades

a clear sign of the international communitys commitment to renewable energy and an
acknowledgement of the need for a focused action in this respect.

IRENA has a diverse membership. Many Members rely on traditional biomass to satisfy their
basic needs, while others have decades of experience in renewable energy generation and
technologies. Some Members are oil-producing countries, while others are small island states,
entirely dependent on fossil fuel imports for their energy supply. This diverse membership
provides a wealth of experience, resources and specialist knowledge.

Governments, public and private organisations, academics and the media can draw on IRENAs
extensive knowledge base and wide-reaching expertise for a one-stop service that facilitates
increased interest in, and adoption of, renewable energy technology and policies.

3
 Founding principles
The Parties to the IRENA Statute,
desiring to promote the widespread and increased adoption of renewable energy with
a view to sustainable development,

inspired from firm belief in the vast opportunities offered by renewable energy for
addressing and gradually alleviating problems of energy security and volatile energy
prices,

convinced of the major role that renewable energy can play in reducing greenhouse
gas concentrations in the atmosphere, thereby contributing to the stabilisation of the
climate system, and allowing for a sustainable, secure and gentle transit to a low-car-
bon economy,

desiring to foster the positive impact that renewable energy technologies can have on
stimulating sustainable economic growth and creating employment,

motivated by the huge potential of renewable energy in providing decentralised access

to energy, particularly in developing countries, and access to energy for isolated and
remote regions and islands,

concerned about the serious negative implications that the use of fossil fuels and the
inefficient use of traditional biomass can have on health,

convinced that renewable energy, combined with enhanced energy efficiency, can in-
creasingly cover the anticipated steep increase in global energy needs in the coming
decades, and

affirming their desire to establish an international organisation for renewable energy

that facilitates the cooperation between its Members, while also establishing a close
collaboration with existing organisations that promote the use of renewable energy,

Have agreed to establish the International Renewable Energy Agency.

Id put my money on the sun and solar energy. What a

source of power! I hope we dont have to wait until
oil and coal run out before we tackle that.
Thomas Edison
(1847-1931)

4 The In te r n at i o n a l R e ne wa b le Ene rg y A g enc y

Key facts about IRENA
Founding conference: 26 January 2009 in Bonn, Germany

Founding signatories: 75

Current membership*: 156

Ratifying Members*: 87

Inaugural Assembly: 4-5 April 2011 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Headquarters: Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates

Offices away from headquarters: Bonn, Germany (IRENA Innovation and

Technology Centre)

Funding sources: Members assessed contributions, voluntary contributions

Director-General: Adnan Z. Amin (Kenya)

*As of January 2012

The I nt er na t io na l Renew a b le Energy Agency 5

 Principal organs of the Agency
Assembly
The Assembly is IRENAs ultimate decision-making authority and is made up of one representative from each
Member. It convenes annually to discuss and decide upon issues such as the work programme, the budget,
the adoption of reports, applications for membership and potential amendments to Agency activities.

Council
IRENAs Council is accountable to the Assembly and is composed of 21 Members elected for a two-year term
on a rotating basis with the view of ensuring the effective participation of both developing and developed
countries and the fair and equitable geographical distribution and effectiveness of the Councils work. The
Council, among other responsibilities stipulated in Article X of the Statute, facilitates consultations and coop-
eration among Members and considers the draft work programme, draft budget and annual report.

Secretariat
The Secretariat, which comprises the Director-General and his staff, provides administrative and technical
support to the Assembly, the Council and their subsidiary bodies. It is responsible, among other things, for
preparing and submitting the Agencys draft work programme, budget and annual report and for imple-
menting work programme.

Director General: Adnan Z. Amin (Kenya)

Adnan Z. Amin was elected Director-General of IRENA in April 2011
with the responsibility of establishing a sound institutional man-
agement structure and clear strategic vision for the implementa-
tion of the Agencys mandate. As a highly-regarded development
economist Mr. Amin brings over 20 years of experience in inter-
national environment and sustainable development policy to the
position, as well as expertise in the political, management, and in-
teragency coordination functions of the United Nations.

The global potential of renewable energy sources is

unlimited, but there are still challenges of cost, technology
and mindset to overcome. IRENAs mission is to support
the transition to a future based primarily on renewable
energy and to assist countries to identify, map out, design
and implement the best route to that destination.
Adnan Z. Amin,
IRENA Director-General

6 The In te r n at i o n a l R e ne wa b le Ene rg y A g enc y

IRENAs activities
IRENA provides practical advice and support to both developed and developing countries wishing to ac-
celerate the uptake of renewable energy and meet the anticipated steep increase in global energy needs by
combining the use of renewable energy with energy efficiency. The Agency facilitates access to all relevant
information, including reliable data on the potential of renewable energy, best practices, effective financial
mechanisms and state-of-the-art technological expertise. It organises high-level workshops with world ex-
perts, assesses Member countries readiness to adopt renewable energy, prepares analysis and makes policy
recommendations to governments for the wider deployment of renewable energy.

IRENAs activities involve:

being a centre of excellence for renewable energy technology;

acting as a facilitator and catalyst for expanding the use of renewable

energies worldwide;

providing experience for practical applications and policies;

offering support on all matters relating to renewable energy; and

helping countries to benefit from the development and transfer of knowledge.

IRENAs diverse membership requires the Agency to be agile, adaptable, and able to respond quickly and
effectively. When assisting the transition to an energy mix in which renewables find their optimal place,
IRENA seeks out the most appropriate solutions to country circumstances and facilitates access to relevant
technical expertise. IRENA ensures effectiveness by striving to remain an independent player that can, when
required, offer advice. To do this, IRENA keeps abreast of the latest developments in policy, regulation, in-
stitutional arrangements, financial mechanisms, technologies, and all matters relating to renewable energy
and solutions.

IRENAs programme
IRENA has three main programmatic areas:
The Knowledge Management and Technology Cooperation Directorate facilitates an increased role for
renewable energy by establishing a knowledge base, and providing best practice examples. It gathers scat-
tered knowledge on renewable energy in a central place for all, and provides knowledge products such as
renewable energy statistics and potentials to fill any gaps. It also fosters technology cooperation by creat-
ing appropriate interfaces in which industry, academia and civil society can engage with relevant stakehold-
ers in IRENA programmes, and jointly accelerate the deployment of renewables.

The I nt er na t io na l Renew a b le Energy Agency 7

 The Policy Advice and Capacity Building Direc-
torate supports countries capacity to design long-
term enabling renewable energy policy frameworks
and promote a better understanding of economic
and financial conditions to leverage renewable en-
ergy investments. It also aims to assist countries to
create the environment in which the crucial skills
and capacities can be developed through support-
ing regional capacity building initiatives. Moreover,
the Directorate facilitates enhanced access and in-
creased provision of dedicated education and train-
ing opportunities allowing interested students and
professionals to pursue a career path in renewable
energies and supply the sector with the qualified
human resources it needs to grow.

The IRENA Innovation and Technology Centre aims

to provide the governments the means for an accel-
erated technological change and the use of innova-
tion to transition to renewable energy based systems.
This will be achieved through analysis of renewable
energy technology policies; dissemination of infor-
mation and increased awareness; technologies and
equipment overview and assessment of success-fail-
ure factors; improved relevant knowledge and tech-
nology cooperation, and joint RD&D and provision of
information on the development and deployment of
national and international technical standards in rela-
tion to renewable energy.

Nothing is more powerful

than an idea whose time has
come.
Hermann Scheer,
founding father of IRENA
(1944-2010)

8 The In te r n at i o n a l R e ne wa b le Ene rg y A g enc y

IRENA in the renewable
energy world
IRENA seeks to make an impact in the world of renewable energy by maintaining a
clear and independent position, providing a range of reliable and well-understood
services that complement those already offered by the renewable energy community
and gather existing, but scattered, activities around a central hub.

The international renewable energy community is large, resourceful, and rapidly

evolving. IRENA does not duplicate what others are doing, but seeks out, establishes
and develops new synergies, facilitates dialogue, and information and best practice
sharing. Cooperation at the global, regional and national levels, knowledge sharing,
enabling policies and enhanced capacity, as well as the encouragement of invest-
ment flows and strengthened technology and innovation, are essential elements in
the Agencys efforts. IRENA is positioning itself as a platform for all-inclusive coop-
eration where stakeholders can make a positive contribution to the common goals.
This cooperation and partnerships are essential underpinnings of IRENAs work.

Numerous international, intergovernmental and non-governmental organisations are

natural and indispensable partners, as are many private sector companies who are
already seizing the opportunities offered by renewable energy. Civil society groups
can also contribute to the IRENA vision by being vocal advocates and observers
of actions taken by governments, non-governmental organisations and the private
sector. IRENA directs its principal partnership activities towards knowledge shar-
ing, ensuring that existing information and experience is developed, organised, and
made accessible in a usable format.

IRENA is uniquely positioned to bring together these different constituencies. It aims

to become the convening instrument that binds all parts together and become a
powerful force in advancing the agenda of the widespread adoption and use of re-
newable energy, with the ultimate goal of safeguarding a sustainable future.

The I nt er na t io na l Renew a b le Energy Agency 9

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