UAE is world renewable energy headquarters

The UAE has won the bid to host the headquarters of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena).

At a summit held yesterday in Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, the UAE capital Abu Dhabi came out on top after rivals, Germany and Austria, withdrew their bids just moments before the vote in an unexpected compromise.

At the same time it was decided that Bonn in Germany will host Irena’s centre of technology and innovation to help the energy agency’s work in developing countries while, Vienna in Austria will host a satellite office to help the agency liaise with other international organisations in European.

“This reflects the spirit of cooperation that is needed for Irena to grow into a strong and effective organisation,” said a statement on Irena’s website.

The new headquarters will be housed in rent-free offices in Abu Dhabi’s zero carbon Masdar City.
 
At the moment, 136 countries including the UAE have signed up as statutory members of Irena. Saudi Arabia and Qatar are the only GCC countries that have not signed up as yet.

For the complete list of member states go here.