New international body sheds light to the geopolitics of the energy transition

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) has launched the Global Commission on the Geopolitics of Energy Transformation to examine how renewable energy is affecting the dynamics of energy international relations between states.

To date, geopolitical analyses have largely focused on fossil fuels, such as oil and gas. Big energy players have dominated the international energy landscape merely due to the abundance in combustible natural resources.

 However, the beauty of renewable energy sources is that not only can they offer 100 percent emissions-free energy, but they can also shake the incumbent global energy landscape. In this new reality, sun, wind, hydro and other renewable energy sources can play an equally strategic role as fossil fuels, altering the dynamics of energy cooperation and trade among nations.

Adnan Z. Amin, IRENA Director-General, said: “The global energy landscape is witnessing rapid and disruptive change that will have far-reaching effects on geopolitical dynamics”.

“Renewable energy resources are abundant, sustainable and have the power to significantly improve energy access, security and independence”.

“At the same time, the large-scale deployment of variable sources of renewable energy such as solar PV and wind is fostering greater cross-border energy trade and cooperation between nations. Understanding these changing dynamics in a way that informs policy-makers, will be the primary goal of the commission”.

The new Commission was established with the support of Germany, Norway, and the United Arab Emirates- an interesting group of countries as 2 out of 3 are some of the world’s biggest energy exporters, and will be chaired by Olafur Grimsson, the former President of Iceland.

Mr. Grimsson added: “The implications of energy transformation are becoming one of the most debated issues in the global energy agenda. The commission can make an important contribution to these global discussions, on the basis of solid evidence and analysis as well as a diverse range of perspectives”.

The announcement took place last week, during IRENA’s annual assembly which was held during the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week.

The Commission will comprise 12 experts in international energy and global security issues and is expected to release its first report in January 2019.