The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) services

Knowledge Management And Technology Cooperation

Renewables Readiness Assessments

One of the key activities in IRENA’s 2011 and 2012 work programme is development of renewable readiness assessments (RRAs). An RRA is a holistic assessment of conditions for renewable energy deployment in a country, and the actions necessary to further improve these conditions. An RRA is a rapid assessment of how a country can increase readiness and overcome the main barriers to the deployment of renewable energy technologies. It covers all services (transport, heat, electricity and motive power), and sources of renewable energy, with countries selecting those of relevance. The RRA comprises a process and a methodology that includes completing a set of templates and a final report.

Global Atlas For Solar And Wind Energy

The Global Atlas for Solar and Wind Energy project aims to create a collaborative internet-based Geographic Information System (GIS) of these renewable resources that can direct and enhance cooperation on global scenarios and strategies and support decision-making, especially in areas where this information in insufficiently known. IRENA is playing a lead role in the creation of the Atlas, by working with other international institutions, initially UNEP to provide financial and in-kind resources to the process, but to also ensure that the end-user needs are fulfilled, especially those of Member States, and the programme achieves its maximum impact on deployment of renewable energy technologies.