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 in the 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.”

Further information

This week, several high-level meetings take place in Abu Dhabi. The General Assembly of IRENA met to chart an international pathway to double global renewable energy shares by 2030. And at the World Future Energy Summit (WFES) and the International Renewable Energy Conference (ADIREC), high-level representatives from industry and politics met to address key opportunities for a renewable energy revolution.