IRENA, the European response to IEA

On January 29th 2009, in Bonn, a year-long marathon of conferences, diplomatic acquiescence and keen negotiation was finally closed. Germany, Spain and Denmark as Europe three most Environment frantic countries kicked-off the Renewable Energy advocacy IRENA. It should not surprise that the three countries have a lion share in Renewable Energy, leading in research, industrial output and being major markets for Photovoltaic and Wind farms. However, the initial benefit of a few would become a successful business-formula for many, and in times of economical stalemate, IRENA is handing down a committing and job-generating discourse, for every member eager to replicate the German formula in distant south sea locations. It ensures Energy Security (although I prefer the definition “Safe Energy”, meaning you know where it stems and what it takes to produce it, and that it won´t be politicised due to its ubiquity) and generates growth, as is now the case for Brasil, that after having adopted to a great extent Hydropower, is exporting to Japan brasilian Biofuel through a join venture. The foundation, welcomed by 75 signatory states, experienced the cold shoulder of USA, China, India, Russia and UK; apparently, China needs no EU lobbying for chinese PV panels nor Russia is concerned by a technology that is out of her business. Strikingly, at the other end are once Green Paladins like USA and UK and energy hungry India, all sitting on the fence. They are waiting for June to come, as the location of the next appointment in El Cairo to elect the first Director General signifies the will of Asia to be present and decide in what was initially an EU club. The quest will then be Greenie Technology Vs Greedy Technology, as Revenues are always to be made through sustainability, specially with bubble sensitive Renewable energy.