Abu Dhabi-headquartered International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) has signed an agreement with World Meterological Organisation (WMO) to implement activities related to assessment of renewable energy potentials.

WMO, a specialized agency of the United Nations for meteorology (weather and climate), operational hydrology and related geophysical sciences, said the deal will provide meteorological information and scientific expertise on climate services to better serve needs of the energy community.

Under this deal, Irena and WMO will exchange their publications and consult with each other on matters of mutual interest in particular on scientific, technological, regulatory and development issues.

Irena director-general Adnan Amin and WMO secretary general Michel Jarraud signed the first MoU on Monday during the United Nations Climate Change Conference 2011 (COP17).

The partnership, which had been initiated in Cancun at COP 16  last year, reached its successful conclusion with the signing ceremony in Durban, said officials said. 

It brings together the WMO’s scientific knowledge and network, technical capabilities and programmes, with Irena’s knowledge and convening power in the renewable energy area, said Amin.

This illustrates the need for cross sectoral co-operation to respond to the twin challenges of energy security and climate change.

'The contribution of meteorology to the accurate mapping of renewable energy potentials is essential and will enable Irena to effectively address the needs of its stakeholders by providing critical information for decision making,' he added.

Jarraud said the partnership was symbolic of the extensive synergies developed over the last decade, between the meteorological and climate community and the renewable energy community to jointly address the challenge of climate change.

'Irena will utilize the information from WMO’s international networks to assess renewable energy potentials in countries where this information is not available.'

'The two organizations will develop their respective competences and activities to implement the Global Framework for Climate Services,' he added.-TradeArabia News Service