To address the immediate and long-term impacts of the Covid-19 crisis, IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency) has brought together 100 leading renewable energy companies to present recommendations on how governments can ensure a rapid and economic recovery. sustainable, aligned with climate and sustainability objectives.
During a webinar organized by the agency, members of the Coalition for Action discussed solutions and political actions in response to the coronavirus. They emphasized that renewable energy can play a key role in Covid-19-related strategies by providing reliable, easy-to-mobilize and cost-effective electricity for essential services.
Regarding immediate response measures to the crisis, members of the Coalition for Action are calling on governments to:
- Review deadlines for renewable energy projects that face contractual obligations for near-term delivery.
- Designate the renewable energy market and related infrastructure as a critical and essential sector.
- Expand policies that promote centralized and decentralized renewable energy solutions.
When considering the stimulus packages needed for a rapid and sustained economic recovery, the recommendations are:
- Prioritize renewables in any stimulus measures and commit to phasing out support for fossil fuels.
- Provide public financial support to safeguard the industry and mobilize private investment in renewable energy.
- Increase the role of renewables in industrial policies.
- Review labor and education policies to promote a just transition and help workers transition to renewable energy jobs.
- Strengthen international cooperation and actions to accelerate the deployment of renewable energy, aligned with global climate and sustainability goals.
Renewable will be the only energy source expected to grow in 2020
According to a study by the IEA (International Energy Agency), renewable energy will be the only source of energy that is likely to see growth in demand until the end of 2020.
“Until now, renewable energy has been the most resilient energy source to Covid-19 epidemic lockdown measures. In the first quarter of 2020, for example, the global use of renewables was 1,5% higher than in the first quarter of 2019. The increase was driven by more than 100 GW of photovoltaic energy and around 60 GW of wind energy projects that were completed in 2019,” the survey said.
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