International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) at the weekend launched an open-access Internet-based global atlas of renewable-energy resources to raise awareness of the world’s renewable-energy potential and to help companies looking to invest in new markets.
The atlas aimed to assist countries in their assessment of their renewable-energy potential, while hosting data and maps from leading technical institutes and private companies globally.
“In the next ten years, we expect a huge rise in the investments in renewable energy. The Global Solar and Wind Atlas will help us make the right decisions,” Danish Climate, Energy and Building Minister and president of the third session of the Irena Assembly Martin Lidegaard said in a statement.
The atlas currently charted solar and wind resources, but would expand to include other forms of renewable energy during 2013 and 2014, he noted.
Irena director-general Adnan Amin added that the atlas was a “powerful new tool” in international efforts to double the world’s share of renewable energy by 2030.
Currently, 22 countries were participating in the Global Solar and Wind Atlas, after nine new signatory countries committed to joining the initiative.
“With 22 countries now taking part, and more expected to join in the coming months, it is a clear sign of our growing political will to transition to clean, renewable energy,” he commented.