The world is experiencing a global energy transformation driven by technological change and new policy priorities. This transformation is win-win: a strong economy and a healthy planet are mutually reinforcing.

Growing shares of solar and wind power call for increasingly flexible grid operation. This report from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) outlines a planning approach to boost flexibility, specifically to accommodate the largest possible shares of variable renewable (solar and wind) energy sources.

Countries have adopted a range of approaches to the development of mini-grids, aiming to extend energy access to underserved areas or communities. Existing regulations, however, have often been inadequate to de-risk and finance such investments.

Egypt’s economic development hinges on the energy sector. To meet burgeoning energy demand, the government’s Integrated Sustainable Energy Strategy, ISES 2035, involves stepping up the use of renewables and improving energy efficiency in the power sector.

This study assesses the potential for manufacturing renewable energy components in Jordan, Lebanon and the United Arab Emirates. All three countries possess strong market potential, combined with existing industrial assets and a degree of prior experience with renewable-based power generation.

Recent data and research findings confirm the rapid capacity growth, ongoing cost and performance improvements, increasing technological sophistication and continued need for international standardisation for new renewables, such as offshore wind power and nascent ocean energy technologies.

As the world strives to cut carbon emissions, electric power from renewables has emerged as a vital energy source. Yet transport and industry will still require combustible fuels for many purposes. Such needs could be met with hydrogen, which itself can be produced using renewable power.

Off-grid renewable energy solutions have emerged as mainstream and support the expanding access to modern energy services in a timely and environmentally sustainable manner. Off-grid renewables are able to deliver a wide spectrum of electricity services for households, public services, commercial and industrial uses.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has set out to produce comprehensive, reliable data sets on renewable energy capacity and use worldwide. The Renewable Energy Statistics 2018 yearbook shows data sets on renewable power-generation capacity for 2008-2017, renewable power generation for 2008-2016 and renewable energy balances for about 120 countries and areas for 2015 and 2016.

Thorough, well informed planning is essential to develop electricity systems and prepare them for increased shares of renewables. Long-term electricity planning is highly relevant in centrally managed power systems or where power generation and transmission require co-ordination across multiple jurisdictions.