IRENA forges new partnerships to advance energy transformation
IRENA penned formal partnerships with the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), US Aid’s Power Africa and Enel Foundation, to further its long-standing commitment to cooperative energy transformation action.
Under the Power Africa agreement, the two parties will work to expand access to affordable, reliable, and modern electricity through off-grid energy solutions that use renewable and complementary technologies to improve economic activity, and enhance the provision of essential social services, such as education, agriculture, water, and healthcare.
This agreement will feature joint efforts to improve the provision of electricity to displaced refugee communities and settlements, including through the Smart Communities Coalition supported by Power Africa. Efforts will also be made to co-develop domestic capacities that facilitate greater access to renewable energy finance for African entrepreneurs. IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera said the Agency is committed to ensuring the transition brings prosperity and wellbeing to communities across sub-Saharan Africa.
Under the new agreement with Enel Foundation, the two parties will share data and insights about the development of the green hydrogen economy, which is increasingly cited as a central component of carbon neutral economies by 2050. IRENA estimates that at least 1700 GW of renewables-powered electrolyser capacity is needed by the middle of the century, to produce the amount of green hydrogen required for a net zero future.
The partnership will also feature corporation on youth engagement initiatives and regional market trends., Public-private partnerships are an important focus of the Agency’s work as it looks to mobilise the expertise, innovations and capital from the private sector to advance the global energy transition. Francesco La Camera, IRENA Director-General said that youth and hydrogen development are two key energy transformation issues, and that the Agency welcomes partnerships with private sector corporations that share the Agency’s vision for a low-carbon future.
Under the MoU with FAO, IRENA aims to help improve the profitability and sustainability of the food and agriculture sectors by accelerating the use of renewables and sustainable bioenergy while fostering climate adaptation and resilience.
