A strong signal for renewable energies
Federal Environment Minister Sigmar Gabriel has welcomed India's membership in the new International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) as a strong signal for establishing sustainable energy supply. Minister Gabriel said: "This move by India gives further momentum to renewable energies. India will thus be able to make the most of the opportunities of renewables for climate protection, supply security, economic development and employment. As an economically strong newly industrialising country, India can be a model for other countries with its membership."
India became the 77th founding member of IRENA by signing the Statute in Berlin today. India also agreed to pay a contribution to the organisational budget of more than US $110,000 for the second half of 2009. By signing the Statute India, like all other signatories, becomes a member of the Preparatory Commission for establishing the organisation. This Commission will decide on the first Director-General and the location of the Agency's seat in June.
IRENA was founded on 26 January 2009 in Bonn by 75 signatory states. Germany was one of the first signatories. The IRENA founding process was led by the Federal Environment Ministry and the Federal Development Ministry, in close cooperation with the Federal Foreign Office.
This new Agency is the first international organisation to focus exclusively on the issue of renewable energies. IRENA aims to promote the increased use of renewables worldwide. The goal is to close the gap between the enormous potential of renewables and their current relatively low market share in energy consumption. The main work of IRENA will be to advise its members on creating the right framework conditions, building capacities and improving financing and the transfer of technology and know-how for renewable energies.