– New G20 Coalition to Boost Clean Energy Investments in Developing Nations
ABU DHABI, UAE – In a significant move to enhance clean energy investments in developing countries, the outgoing G20 president Brazil has appointed IRENA as the Secretariat for the newly established Global Coalition on Energy Planning (GCEP). Amid urgent climate goals, Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira De Oliveira, officially extended this invitation to IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La Camera during the side event, ‘Global Coalition for Energy Planning – Shaping the Agenda for Action,’ held ahead of the 15th IRENA Assembly.
The GCEP initiative was first announced at the G20 Energy Transitions Ministerial Meeting in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, in October 2024. This coalition aims to create a collaborative platform facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building, ultimately promoting effective and inclusive energy planning as a catalyst for clean energy investments, especially crucial for developing nations.
Brazil’s Minister of Mines and Energy Alexandre Silveira De Oliveira stated:
“While there are numerous international commitments towards energy transition, practical implementation is essential. I believe GCEP, with IRENA’s Secretariat, will be a vital resource for achieving these objectives. Additionally, President Lula da Silva has initiated the process for Brazil to join IRENA as a member.”
IRENA’s Director-General Francesco La Camera added:
“IRENA’s expertise in international energy planning positions it perfectly to host the GCEP Secretariat, fostering essential knowledge exchange. I commend Brazil for its commitment to renewable energy sources, such as green hydrogen and significant investments in transmission systems, which have the potential to leverage up to USD 70 billion.”
During its G20 Presidency, Brazil has emphasized the importance of energy planning as part of the global energy transition strategy. Minister Silveira has consistently underscored the value of developing robust and transparent energy plans in discussions held during the 2024 G20 Energy Transition Working Group meetings.
Building on these discussions, today’s event focused on the Coalition’s guiding principles, mechanisms for linking planning with financing, and key agenda items for the upcoming Energy Planning Summit scheduled for June 2025 in Rio de Janeiro, where the Coalition is set to officially launch. This Summit is a pivotal step leading up to the UN Climate Change Conference COP30 in Brazil at the end of 2025.
In extending the invitation to IRENA, Brazil’s Minister acknowledged the organization’s integral role in establishing the Coalition. IRENA’s established expertise in energy planning is evident through its capacity-building programs and the Global Long-Term Energy Scenarios Network, which serves as a global knowledge-sharing platform for long-term energy scenario planning.
Key Principles of the Global Coalition on Energy Planning Include:
1. Promoting transparent and effective energy planning
2. Facilitating knowledge exchange and capacity building
3. Catalyzing investments by creating enabling environments
4. Encouraging national ownership of energy planning processes and inclusive participation
5. Leveraging existing initiatives and partnerships
IRENA is dedicated to advancing the goals of GCEP. By fostering collaboration, enhancing capacity, and stimulating investments, GCEP is poised to significantly advance the global energy transition and contribute to sustainable development worldwide.
