Green energy agency set to gain members

subscribe

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) expects new members to join at its next meeting while China and world top oil exporter Saudi Arabia are to attend as observers, its head said.

IRENA was established last year to promote the development of the renewable energy industry worldwide. To date, 139 nations have joined the global organization which is headquartered in Abu Dhabi, capital of the United Arab Emirates.

"Several non-member nations are coming for the... (next) meeting... including Mexico, Belgium, Kyrgyzstan who may be future signatories," Helene Pelosse, IRENA's interim director-general, told reporters.

China and Saudi Arabia would attend as observers, she added.

The United States joined IRENA last year as part of efforts by the administration of President Barack Obama to develop a new energy policy.

China's top envoy to the Copenhagen climate talks said earlier this month that Chinese negotiators had achieved their goal at the summit in ensuring financial aid for developing nations was not linked to external reviews of China's environmental plans.

Britain, Sweden and other countries have accused China of obstructing the climate summit, which ended last month with a non-binding accord that set a target of limiting global warming to a maximum 2 degrees Celsius but was scant on details.

IRENA, which seeks about a three-fold increase in consumption of green energy by 2050, has launched its first renewable energy project in the Pacific island nation of Tonga, Pelosse said.

Related News

ontario rate relief

Ontario Extends Off-Peak Electricity Rates to Provide Relief for Families, Small Businesses and Farms

TORONTO - The Ontario government is once again extending electricity rate relief for families, small businesses and farms to support those spending more time at home while the province maintains the Stay-at-Home Order in the majority of public health regions. The government will continue to hold electricity prices to the off-peak rate of 8.5 cents per kilowatt-hour until February 22, 2021. This lower rate is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week for Time-Of-Use and tiered customers.

"We know staying at home means using more electricity during the day when electricity prices are higher, that's why we are once…

READ MORE
sheerness power plant

Alberta gives $40M to help workers transition from coal power jobs

READ MORE

U.S. Department of Energy Announces $110M for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage

READ MORE

ontario nuclear

Ontario confronts reality of being short of electricity in the coming years

READ MORE

consumers energy

Michigan Public Service Commission grants Consumers Energy request for more wind generation

READ MORE