Canada has officially become a member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Canada becomes the Agency’s 160th member to join the global intergovernmental organisation dedicated to the widespread adoption of renewable energy.
Canada’s membership came on the eve of IRENA’s ninth and largest assembly. More than 120 ministers are expected to join 1200 delegates from 150 countries in Abu Dhabi, to accelerate the deployment of sustainable sources of energy.
“The growing green economy is among the greatest economic opportunities for Canada in a generation,” Canada’s Minister of Natural Resources Amarjeet Sohi said. “Becoming an IRENA member will accelerate Canada’s efforts to build a clean energy future which will bring new economic growth and thousands of new, well-paying jobs.
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IRENA director-general Adnan Z. Amin said Canada has vast renewable energy resource potential and long-standing experience in low-carbon development that it can share through international cooperation.
“We look forward to working with the Canadian government as well as the private sector and research institutions to advance energy transformation,” he said.
“Canada’s membership firmly underscores the leadership it can demonstrate in renewable energy technology, sustainable development and global energy decarbonisation.”
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Renewable energy accounts for two-thirds of Canada’s power generation and just under 20 per cent of its total final energy supply thanks largely to significant hydropower resources, which make it the second largest producer of hydropower in the world. Renewable power generation in Canada increased from 78 gigawatts (GW) in 2009 to 99 GW in 2017.
In addition to plentiful hydro resources, Canada also has significant wind, biomass, solar, marine and geothermal energy potential. For example, today, wind accounts for five per cent of electricity generation in Canada.