SA joins renewable energy body

2010-01-18 08:25

Johannesburg - South Africa on Sunday became a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), which aims to promote the use of renewable energy worldwide.

The energy department said Minister Elizabeth Dipuo Peters signed the necessary paperwork in Abu Dhabi to become a member of the agency, founded last January.

"[This] will enable us to work with other countries to accelerate the introduction of renewable energy and to confront our vexing energy challenges,” Peters said in a statement.

Any country that belongs to the United Nations can join the agency. A preparatory commission is underway to make decisions about the way forward for the agency.

Irena will provide governments across the world with technological, financial and logistical information about using renewable energy; as well as monitoring how environmental, economic and socio-cultural conditions affect energy needs and supplies.

"Irena will provide practical advice and support for both industrialised and developing countries, [to] help them improve their regulatory frameworks and build capacity."

- SAPA