UAE Ratifies IRENA Headquarters, Cements Position as Renewable Energy Hub

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UAE Ratifies IRENA Headquarters, Cements Position as Renewable Energy Hub

The UAE today announced the formal ratification of its headquarters agreement with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), confirming IRENA’s position as the global hub for renewable energy, and the first international organisation headquartered in the Middle East.



Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE's Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and CEO of Masdar speaking at the IRENA General Assembly, 13th Jan, 2013 (Photo: Business Wire)

The announcement was made during the first day of the annual IRENA Assembly in Abu Dhabi, in the presence of ministers and officials from 150 countries. It formally accords IRENA all the rights, privileges and protections of an international organisation.

The agreement also highlights the UAE’s emergence as a global centre of excellence for renewable energy. Abu Dhabi is home to Masdar, the renewable energy city, and this week is hosting thousands of industry leaders and policy makers for Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW).

“I want to thank the UAE’s leadership for their support of IRENA’s HQ ratification, which represents a major milestone for the future of the Agency,” said Dr. Sultan Al Jaber, the UAE’s Special Envoy for Energy and Climate Change and CEO of Masdar. “The UAE now has its first fully fledged international organization – reflecting and enhancing our position as a global hub for the energy industry.”

“The ratification of our headquarters agreement, and the presence of a record breaking number of ministers and policy makers at the 2013 Assembly, marks IRENA’s coming of age,” said Adnan Amin, IRENA Director General. “What began as a visionary idea in 2009 has truly taken form. The renewable energy era is upon us.”

Note to Editors

IRENA is mandated by 159 countries and the European Union to promote the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, and to serve as the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange. Formally established in 2011, IRENA is the first major international organization to be headquartered in the Middle East.

Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week

Taking place January 13-17, Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) will attract an anticipated 30,000 participants from 150 countries to Abu Dhabi for what will be the largest gathering on sustainability in the history of the Middle East. A significant platform for international dialogue and cooperation, ADSW will tackle the world’s most pressing energy, water and environmental challenges. ADSW will unite world leaders, policy makers, thought leaders, experts, scientists, business and academia.

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Pioneering Global Atlas for renewable energy goes online | IRENA | AMEinfo.com

Pioneering Global Atlas for renewable energy goes online

The world's first open-access Global Atlas of renewable energy resources goes live today. This was announced at the annual general assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). The Global Atlas is the largest ever initiative to help countries assess their renewable energy potential, and companies bringing together data and maps from leading technical institutes and private companies worldwide.

It currently charts solar and wind resources, and will expand to other forms of renewable energy over 2013 and 2014.

The launch of the Global Atlas comes as 150 countries gather to chart the future of international renewable energy policy in Abu Dhabi.

Nine new signatory countries will sign on to the Global Atlas, bringing the current number of participating countries to 22.

The Internet-based platform, accessible to all at irena.org/GlobalAtlas, is designed to raise awareness of the world's renewable energy potential, and to help companies looking to invest in new markets. A video and brochure is also available through the webportal.

"In the next 10 years we expect a huge rise in the investments in renewable energy. The Global Solar and Wind Atlas will help us make the right decisions," said Martin Lidegaard, Danish Minister of Climate, Energy and Building, and President of the 3rd session of the IRENA Assembly.

"The Global Atlas provides a powerful new tool in international efforts to double the world's share of renewable energy by 2030," said Adnan Z. Amin, IRENA Director-General.

"With 22 countries now taking part and more expected to join in the coming months, it is a clear sign of our growing political will to transition to clean, renewable energy," hea dded.

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IRENA - Global Atlas for Solar & Wind

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Qatar Solar Technologies and SolarWorld showcase a solar powered Super Car

Qatar Solar Technologies (QSTec) and SolarWorld AG are presenting the electric super car, Tesla Roadster, with SolarWorld's innovative solar energy technology, at the Qatar Sustainability Expo, currently taking place at the Doha Exhibition Centre on the sidelines of the UN Climate Change Conference (COP18) in Qatar.

For the first time in the Middle East, thousands of visitors will be able to view and learn more about the emission-free electric car, which can accelerate from 0 to 100 in just 3.6 seconds and travel up to 300 kilometres per charge.

Fuelled by electricity generated from the sun, the super car provides a carbon dioxide-free means of transportation. The adjoining SolarWorld SunCarport supplies solar power to charge the car's batteries, allowing it to offer 'supercar performance without supercar emissions'.

Furthermore, the SunCarport can be configured to supply solar power for a wide range of solar solutions for homes and businesses.

"We are proud to bring the Tesla electric car and the SunCarport solar energy system, in conjunction with our partners SolarWorld AG, to the Qatar Sustainability Expo," said Dr Khalid Klefeekh Al Hajri, Chairman and CEO of QSTec.

"We are here today to send a clear message to the world that solar energy is playing a major role in our global sustainable future. By showcasing interesting solar solutions and applications to our community, we hope to inspire and encourage our young scientists and entrepreneurs to explore new uses for solar energy. The Tesla Roadster being powered by SolarWorld's SunCarport, are excellent examples of sustainable innovation, and the new technologies that are making such a positive impact on our society and environment," he added.

The Qatar Sustainability Expo, which is taking from the 26 November to 7 December, provides a platform for the display of an array of environmentally-friendly products and initiatives, from energy saving technologies to recyclable objects.

QSTec will be producing polysilicon, the key ingredient in the world's most efficient solar technologies, like the ones used in the SolarWorld SunCarport. With this goal in mind, the company is building a polysilicon production plant in Ras Laffan Industrial City that will initially produce 8,000 metric tons (MTPY) of polysilicon per year.

Built on 1.2 million square metres of land, the plant can expand polysilicon capacity to 45,000 MTPY and has been designed to seamlessly incorporate ingots, wafers, cell and module manufacturing facilities.

The company is a joint venture between Qatar Foundation for Education, Science and Community Development, SolarWorld AG, and the Qatar Development Bank.

Qatar Solar Technologies and SolarWorld showcase a solar powered Super Car | Qatar Solar Technologies | AMEinfo.com

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Abu Dhabi: Renewable energy delivery systems have increased globally over the last year, a top renewable energy official said in the capital on Sunday.
Despite global economic difficulties, 2012 was declared a “good year for new renewable energy installations” by Adnan Z Ameen, director general at the International Energy Agency (Irena) Assembly in Abu Dhabi.

He was addressing the third Irena assembly, which began its two-day meeting in the capital on Sunday. More than 800 delegates representing about 136 nations, the European Union and 74 organisations gathered at the assembly to discuss achievements and challenges in the renewable energy sector.

Martin Lidegaard, Minister of Climate, Energy and Building in Denmark, who has been elected president of this Irena session, led the proceedings.

The Irena assembly is part of the ongoing Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week, which includes a number of summits to promote sustainable living technologies. These include the sixth edition of the World Future Energy Summit, as well as the first edition of the International Water Summit, which will both begin in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
Currently, the Irena sees the participation of 160 member countries. The third edition of the assembly will work at charting a pathway to double the world’s share of renewable energy by 2030.

According to details revealed on the first day of the two-day Irena meet, the installed capacity of worldwide solar photovoltaic sources currently stands at 100 gigawatts (GW), having grown 10-fold over the last five years. The capacity for wind-generated power has also reached 280 GW globally, including more than 100 GW in Europe alone.
“The rapid deployment of renewables, combined with high learning rates, is leading to significant cost declines, and this is helping wind and solar technologies to become competitive with fossil fuels in many circumstances,” Ameen said.

While achievements in implementing sustainable energy sources were highlighted at the session, the Irena director general also pointed out the need for consolidation among energy companies.

In addition, officials also highlighted the benefits of renewable readiness assessments (RRAs), which were conducted by a number of national governments, in collaboration with the Irena, last year. The assessments, undertaken in Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Kiribati, Niger, Oman, Peru, Swaziland and Zambia, were aimed at enabling the development of country-specific renewable energy deployment strategies.

Ameen added that Irena will also focus on implementing renewable energies across islands and island states in 2013.
“Because of their isolation, small market size and specific energy needs, islands are often perceived as a niche market for energy,” he said.
The Irena will, therefore, work to establish a Global Renewable Energy Islands Network, and look into power storage options on islands.
A number of countries also reaffirmed their commitments towards increasing their share of renewable energy in the next few decades.
While Abu Dhabi hopes to obtain seven per cent of all capacity from renewable sources by 2020, Dubai is working to obtain five per cent capacity from renewables by 2030.

Renewable energy capacity increasing globally | GulfNews.com

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Dr Balakrishnan to attend international renewable energy assembly in Abu Dhabi

SINGAPORE - Minister for the Environment and Water Resources, Dr Vivian Balakrishnan, will attend the 3rd session of the Assembly of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), on Monday, Jan 14, in Abu Dhabi, the United Arab Emirates. He will also attend the 6th World Future Energy Summit and 1st International Water Summit on Jan 15.

IRENA was officially established in 2009 as an inter-governmental organisation to promote the use of renewable energy. The IRENA Assembly will discuss the Agency's strategic direction, as well as take an in-depth look at the issues countries face in their transition to a sustainable energy future.

The Assembly will also finalise remaining institution-building issues, report on its progress, and renew its mandate on encouraging the global uptake of renewable energy.

Singapore is keen to cooperate with IRENA and its members to promote the development and use of renewable energy. In this light, Dr Balakrishnan will announce that Singapore will be depositing its Instrument of Accession to the IRENA Statute, which will complete our application process to formally become a member of IRENA.

The World Future Energy Summit is a conference on renewable energy, while the International Water Summit will discuss key issues in water technology and security. The central theme for both events, which are being held as part of the inaugural Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, is the link between water and energy.

Dr Balakrishnan will speak at the joint Ministerial panel on the topic of "The Future of the Water-Energy Nexus post-Rio".

Dr Balakrishnan to attend international renewable energy assembly in Abu Dhabi

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Global Atlas interviews - Dr Dave Renee - President of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) - YouTube

Global Atlas interviews - Dr Indradip Mitra GIZ India - YouTube

Global Atlas interviews - Mr Andre Otto - South Africa Wind Atlas - YouTube

Mr Maged K. Mahmoud - Senior Expert, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency - YouTube

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IRENA presents global renewable energy roadmap

IRENA presents global renewable energy roadmap - PV-Tech