SUSTAINABILITY: CLEAN ENERGY
Interview with Francesco La Camera , director-general, International Renewable Energy Agency
Renewables are progressing but not quickly enough due to barriers such as outdated infrastructure, policy hurdles and a skills gap. We need modern grids, supportive policies and a skilled workforce to accelerate the transition Strengthening the renewable energy revolution
How can the renewable energy revolution be strengthened? Renewables are growing well, but not at the speed or scale we need because of barriers to deployment and rapid scaling up. The first barrier is the lack of infrastructure. Today’s infrastructure was built a century ago for gas, oil and coal to reach consumers from production sites. The infrastructure needs to fit a new, decentralised energy system. We need grids that are interconnected, flexible and balanced. We need ports that allow more green hydrogen, pipelines for ammonia and cables to distribute electrons. The second barrier exists in our laws and policies. The market is designed for the old energy system – we’re still subsidising fossil fuels. Pricing based on cost margins does not apply to renewables. We need long-term contracts that are well regulated. For green hydrogen, we need policies that increase demand, as we did for renewables. Renewables are growing fast, thanks to policies put in place ten years ago in some countries with the foresight to promote them. The third barrier is the lack of capacity. We need institutions that can manage the complexity that comes from decentralising the system. And we need professionals. Universities were built to serve a different economy. We need professionals and a skilled workforce fit for the new energy system.
82
G20 BRAZIL: THE RIO SUMMIT — 2024
globalgovernanceproject.org
Made with FlippingBook. PDF to flipbook with ease