Irena seeks big renewable energy project investments

The International Renewable Energy Agency’s (Irena) said a landmark initiative launched by a coalition of intergovernmental partners during the UN Climate Action Summit in September last year has now entered its operational phase.

Irena's contribution to the Climate Investment Platform, developed in response to country needs to mobilise low-carbon, climate-resilient investments, is now inviting renewable energy project developers to register suitable projects via a purpose-built portal organised around 14 regional clusters.

The announcement follows the opening of registrations for financial institutions, multilateral development banks and development agencies which took place during the launch of the initiative. Opportunities for financial partners to join the initiative remains open, said the statement from Irena.

Together with its partners, SEforAll, UNDP and in collaboration with Green Climate Fund, Irena had launched the Climate Investment Platform to help increase the flow of capital to developing countries and scale up renewable energy project development.

Since then, a number of financial institutions with growing interest in advancing the energy transformation in developing countries have registered as partners of the initiative, said the statement.

"Unlocking the finance needed to accelerate the global energy transformation towards climate and sustainable development goals is well recognised as being key to success," remarked Francesco La Camera, the Irena Director-General.

"The capital needed to accelerate the energy transformation is available and can be increasingly channelled into appropriate, high-impact, promising project opportunities," he stated.

"As the agency adopts a more action-oriented approach, helping developing countries access the finance needed to realise their renewable energy goals, whilst supporting positive social and economic outcomes is a clear priority," observed La Camera.

"With a number of strong partners behind the platform already, investors, governments and project proponents are now invited to join and present relevant low-carbon energy plans and investment opportunities," he added.

According to Irena, these investment forums will be organised around 14 regional clusters allowing activities to be adjusted to the specific needs of countries.