Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates - Monday, January 14th 2013 [ME NewsWire]

China has announced it will join the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), a milestone in international efforts to double the share of renewable energy worldwide by 2030.

The accession of China – a world leader in technology manufacturing and the use of wind, solar and hydropower – marks a major step toward universal membership for the Agency, which currently has 160 participating states.

"China looks forward to becoming a full member of IRENA soon, as well as working alongside all countries for greater achievements in global renewable energy development,” said Liu Qi, Vice-Minister of the National Energy Administration of China, at IRENA’s 3rd annual Assembly inthe United Arab Emirates capital, Abu Dhabi.

China is the world’s largest energy producer, with total installed electrical power generation capacity of 1140 GW, and is increasingly turning to renewable energy to power its fast growing economy.

It is the world leader for installed capacity of hydro and wind power, with 249 GW of hydro and 63 GW of wind, and is adding more hydro and wind capacity annually than any other country. China’s installed generating capacity of solar PV power has reached 7 GW, a tenfold increase over two years. China is also a manufacturing powerhouse for solar PV, wind and hydro power technology.

"The decision by China to join IRENA is a milestone in international efforts to promote renewable energy,” said IRENA’s Director-General Adnan Z. Amin. "I am delighted with the confidence China has shown in IRENA and I look forward to their active participation in the global effort for a clean energy future for all.”

For more information see www.irena.org.

Note to Editors

IRENA is mandated by 159 countries and the European Union to promote the sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, and to serve as the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange. Formally established in 2011, IRENA is the first major international organization to be headquartered in the Middle East.

Contacts

Mark Turner

+971554936813

mturner@irena.org

Neil MacDonald

+971506411789

NMacDonald@irena.org

Amina Abdulrahman

+971506354486

aabdulrahman@irena.org