International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

Key Takeaway:
IRENA is the world’s leading intergovernmental agency dedicated exclusively to renewable energy. It facilitates global cooperation, provides authoritative data and analysis, and supports countries—especially developing economies—in scaling up clean energy. India, as a founding member and strategic partner, plays a pivotal role in shaping IRENA’s agenda and benefits from its technical expertise and data-driven policy guidance.

1. Introduction

Established in 2009 and entering into force on 8 July 2010, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is headquartered in Masdar City, Abu Dhabi. It is the first global institution solely focused on promoting the adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, encompassing solar, wind, bioenergy, geothermal, marine, and hydropower.

2. Mandate and Objectives

• Global Cooperation: Foster partnerships among governments, industry, civil society, and finance institutions to accelerate the renewable energy transition.

• Knowledge Advancement: Generate, consolidate, and disseminate authoritative data, statistics, and best-practice guidance.

• Policy Support: Advise member states on regulatory frameworks, market design, and planning for high shares of renewables.

• Capacity Building: Enhance technical and institutional capacities in emerging economies through training, workshops, and on‐the‐ground projects.

3. Membership and Governance

• Membership: Open to all United Nations member states and regional economic organizations. As of October 2025, IRENA comprises 170 members (169 countries plus the European Union).

• Assembly: The supreme decision-making body, meeting annually to set work programmes and budgets.

• Council: An executive organ responsible for preparing the Assembly’s work.

• Director-General: Leads the Secretariat; the current Director-General is Francesco La Camera of Italy.

4. Organizational Structure

• Secretariat: Organizes research, data collection, capacity-building initiatives, and publications.

• Innovation and Technology Centre: Focuses on emerging technologies such as green hydrogen, energy storage, and digitalization.

• Regional Hubs: Provide tailored support for Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

5. Key Activities and Services

• Data and Statistics:

  • Renewable Energy Statistics Yearbook: Presents capacity and generation data (2015–2024) for 150+ countries.

  • Renewable Capacity Statistics: Tracks global installed capacity, recording 4 448 GW by end-2024, with 585 GW added in 2024.

• Analytical Reports:

  • World Energy Transitions Outlook: Roadmap to achieve net-zero emissions by mid-century.

  • Renewable Power Generation Costs: Annual analysis proving renewables as the most cost-competitive new generation source.

  • Annual Review – Renewable Energy and Jobs: Documents 16.2 million jobs in the sector in 2023, showing a year-on-year employment rise of 18 percent.

• Scenario Tools and Toolkits: Guides for national planners on long-term energy scenarios and participatory processes.

6. Major Reports Released

• Renewable Energy Statistics 2025: Comprehensive data on capacity (2015–2024), generation (2015–2023), balances, and investment flows (2014–2023).

• Renewable Capacity Statistics 2025: Highlights global capacity milestones and regional growth disparities.

• World Energy Transitions Outlook 2024: Pathways to triple renewable capacity by 2030 and reach net-zero by 2050.

• Annual Review 2024 – Renewable Energy and Jobs: Sectoral employment trends and policy recommendations.

• Cost of Financing for Renewable Power 2024: Insights on cost of capital for solar and wind globally.

7. India’s Role in IRENA

• Founding Member: India was among the original signatories in 2009, reflecting its early commitment to renewables.

• Strategic Partnership Agreement (2022): The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) and IRENA formalized cooperation to:

  • Share India’s technical expertise and best practices in scaling renewable systems.

  • Support India’s long-term energy planning, notably its target of 500 GW non-fossil capacity by 2030.

  • Foster innovation and strengthen the domestic green hydrogen ecosystem under the National Green Hydrogen Mission.

• Technical Collaboration: Joint workshops, capacity-building programmes, and data exchanges enhance India’s policy design and project implementation.

• Data Utilization: India leverages IRENA’s statistical profiles and country rankings to benchmark progress, achieving over 53 GW new renewables capacity in the last five years and ranking among the top five globally.

• Leadership Roles: Indian representatives have chaired key councils and working groups, influencing IRENA’s strategic direction on sustainable finance and technology standards.

8. Impact and Future Outlook

• Global Renewable Growth: IRENA’s data underpins international climate negotiations by tracking whether renewable expansion aligns with 1.5 °C pathways.

• Emerging Technologies: Green hydrogen, energy storage, and digital grids form the next frontier, with India poised to benefit from IRENA’s expertise.

• Capacity Building: Continued collaboration will bolster India’s domestic manufacturing of solar panels, wind turbines, and electrolyzers, driving both economic growth and emission reductions.