Pretoria - South Africa has signed up as a full member of the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena) which focuses on global use of renewable energy.
Energy Minister Dipuo Peters signed the register of Irena statutes yesterday at the Third Session of the Preparatory Commission for Irena at its headquarters in Abu Dhabi.
"We will now be full members of The Preparatory Commission which is made up of all countries that have signed the Irena Statute.
"This commission is important as it acts as the main decision-making body of the organisation until the entry into force of the Statute after the 25 required ratifications have been realised," said Peters.
She described the signing of the statute as a development that will allow South Africa to work with other nations in accelerating the use of renewable energy and to deal with energy challenges.
Irena membership is open to all states that are members of the United Nations and is confirmed by the signing of the statute.
The Third Session will discuss the establishment infrastructure of the agency which came into being on 26 January 2009 in Germany.
The agency will provide practical advice and support for both industrialised and developing countries, help them improve their regulatory frameworks and build capacity. It will also facilitate access to information including data on the potential of renewable energy.
"South Africa as an Irena member will benefit from its membership by accessing information, technology and capacity building in the field of renewable energy," the Energy Ministry said.
