The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has convened its 15th Assembly in Abu Dhabi, starting on January 12, 2025. This event marks the first global energy meeting of the year. Delegates from IRENA’s 170 member states, alongside representatives from development banks, academia, industry leaders, and youth groups, are attending the two-day gathering to discuss global renewable energy efforts.
The session, held under the theme “Accelerating the Renewable Energy Transition – The Way Forward,” aims to address several pressing issues. Discussions include strategies to triple renewable energy capacity by 2030, updating countries’ climate and energy commitments (known as NDC 3.0), and supporting energy transitions in developing economies. Financing mechanisms to enable renewable energy adoption in these regions are also a focal point.
Francesco La Camera, Director-General of IRENA, described renewables as a critical tool to meet global climate and development goals. He emphasized the role of the Assembly in shaping priorities for the future. H.E. Bojan Kumer, Slovenia’s Minister of Environment, Climate and Energy, highlighted the need for shared global responsibility and cooperation to ensure the energy transition benefits all.
Preliminary meetings were held on January 11, 2025, where ministers and other high-level officials discussed ideas to guide IRENA’s future initiatives. The Assembly also launches Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW), which runs from January 12 to 18, 2025. ADSW is a platform for global leaders, policymakers, and experts to address climate challenges and accelerate progress toward sustainability.
The UAE continues to make progress in renewable energy. In Abu Dhabi, the Noor Abu Dhabi Solar Plant remains one of the largest solar installations in the world, with an operational capacity of 1.2 gigawatts (GW). Meanwhile, the Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum Solar Park in Dubai has reached an operational capacity of 2.4 GW as of 2024. The project, which integrates photovoltaic and concentrated solar power technologies, aims to reach 5 GW by 2030.
