IRENA Welcomes Luigi Di Maio, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, to Headquarters

(WK-intern) – IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera emphasises socio-economic benefits of energy transition

The Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) Francesco La Camera received Luigi Di Maio, Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, and Minister of Economic Development, Labour and Social Policies at the IRENA headquarters in Abu Dhabi today.

Deputy Prime Minister Di Maio, who was accompanied by a large trade delegation, and Mr. La Camera exchanged views on the global energy transition, particularly the socio-economic benefits that it brings, such as new opportunities for sustainable growth, trade and jobs.

Mr. La Camera expressed his gratitude to the Government of Italy for its longstanding support to IRENA and noted the country’s progress on renewable energy deployment as well as its global leadership in renewable technologies. He also provided an overview of the Agency’s engagement with the private sector.

Between 2008 and 2018, Italy’s installed renewable energy capacity doubled to around 53 gigawatts (GW). The country is on-track to meet its ambitious plans of 30 per cent renewables in gross final energy consumption by 2030. This translates into 50 GW of solar photovoltaic and over 18 GW of wind energy.

“Italy has made good progress on renewable energy over the last decade showing leadership on energy transition within Europe and worldwide,” said IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “The path towards a low-carbon economy will not only help create a climate-safe future, but will also support economic growth and job creation, while enhancing energy security. We welcome the continuation of our strong partnership with Italy in support of energy transition.”

“We are committed to a low-carbon energy future,” said the Deputy Prime Minister of Italy, Luigi Di Maio. “The energy transformation presents a positive opportunity to promote and share our expertise in energy to advance the global deployment of renewables whilst boosting domestic business and economic activity. IRENA’s role in advancing the energy transformation is central, and Italy will remain a close partner of the Agency as we pursue national objectives and contribute to global goals.”

About the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

IRENA is the global intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international co-operation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. With 160 Members (159 States and the European Union) and 23 additional countries in the accession process and actively engaged, IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy, in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.

PR: IRENA

PB: IRENA Director-General and Deputy Prime Minister of Italy