The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the Hydrogen Council, a global CEO coalition, today (Wednesday), signed a Partnership Agreement to jointly advance green hydrogen solutions across the energy system and make a significant contribution to global net zero goals.
This is the second of such agreements signed by the Abu Dhabi, UAE-based agency in two weeks to pursue energy transition and meet zero-net targets.
A similar MoU was signed late last month with the World Government Summit, to jointly promote the development of the renewable energy sector globally.
Today’s agreement is targeted at accelerating hydrogen globally, in which the IRENA and the Hydrogen Council will “exchange knowledge, best practice and data particularly on cost and volumes for electrolysers, policy frameworks, market design, certification systems and technical and safety standards,” the Agency said in a statement.
The agreement will also draw on the complementary strengths and communities of the partners to achieve the aims of IRENA’s Collaborative Framework on Green Hydrogen.
Such frameworks serve as multi-stakeholder platforms for co-operation and co-ordinated action, bringing public, private, intergovernmental and non-governmental actors together to support and accelerate the global energy transformation in relevant areas such as green hydrogen.
The Director-General of IRENA, Francesco La Camera, and Executive Director of the Hydrogen Council, Daryl Wilson, signed on behalf of their respective agencies.
The Agreement marks a new milestone in the history of collaboration between the two organisations by combining IRENA’s renewable energy expertise with the Hydrogen Council’s diverse network of 120+ member companies across the entire hydrogen value chain.
Commenting, La Camera said: “IRENA’s World Energy Transitions Outlook makes it clear that we have to urgently step-up action on all fronts of the energy transition to achieve our climate and sustainable development goals (SDGs). Green hydrogen is a critical pillar for decarbonising energy systems.
“With today’s agreement, we will significantly increase knowledge exchange and international co-operation and coordinated action in this space.”
On his part, Wilson said: “We are united by a shared vision for hydrogen as the enabler for faster and greater integration of renewable capacity, as well as greater cost-efficiency and optimisation at energy system level.
“The Council’s Hydrogen Scaling Up report shows the key role of clean hydrogen produced through different low-carbon pathways in delivering deep decarbonisation while providing the necessary flexibility and resilience for our energy systems. Public-private collaboration with partners such as IRENA is critical to making this profound transformation happen. We look forward to this next chapter of our partnership and accelerating the transition to net zero together.”
World Energy Transitions Outlook makes it clear that we have to urgently step-up action on all fronts of the energy transition to achieve our climate and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Under the terms of the MoU with the World Government Summit, the two parties will use convening power to advance solutions and build cooperation to support governments as they pursue sustainable development.
With a focus on the energy system, the two organisations will use their convening power to identify effective solutions to meet global challenges, promote sustainable development and support governments as they work to shape a better future for coming generations.
La Camera signed for IRENA, the Minister of State for Artificial Intelligence, Digital Economy and Remote Work Applications and Managing Director, World Government Summit, Omar Sultan Al Olama, signed for the Summit.
The parties will co-develop initiatives and joint events that facilitate knowledge sharing, promote the identification of new opportunities and encourage cooperation to advance renewable energy and develop solutions to emerging transition related challenges, thereby contributing to the future readiness of governments.
Al Olama said the Summit shares IRENA’s vision of a future where next generations have access to sustainable energy, and reflects the UAE’s aspiration to promote areas of cooperation and to share successful experiences and expertise with governments and global organizations in sectors most associated with human life.”
He added: “As a platform for global partnerships aimed at building a better future for societies, the World Government Summit will lead efforts and initiatives to promote the renewable energy sector and bring together all stakeholders to design and develop solutions to achieve this goal.”
Speaking, La Camera said: “The energy transition is fundamental to rebuilding our economies in a way that is sustainable and resilient. Under this collaboration, both organisations will work to advance renewable energy deployment efforts by convening leading decision makers in the field of energy, climate, policy and investment.
“Cooperation remains the cornerstone of the world’s response to its most pressing issues, and through this partnership we aim to bring people together to co-develop the solutions we need to achieve critical goals this decade.”
