All Things Renewable

The energy transition cannot succeed without the people to deliver it. Yet as deployment accelerates, a growing skills gap threatens to slow progress. With 40% of the world's population under 25, the opportunity to build that workforce has never been greater. In this episode, Samah Elsayed, Programme Officer leading IRENA's work on education, discusses the skills the transition demands and how IRENA is shaping energy education globally, from training educators to building local and digital capacities. She also examines the qualification gaps that still hold progress back, and why inclusion is as important as investment.For more on IRENA’s Education initiatives: https://www.irena.org/Education-and-Skills

The Middle East conflict has severely disrupted the global economy and exposed the fragility of fossil fuel supply chains. From fuel shortages to supply chain shocks, energy security is being redefined. Countries that invested early in renewables are proving more resilient, showing that security is less about securing fuels and more about ensuring access to technologies, materials and industrial know-how. In this episode, Ann-Kathrin Lipponer, Associate Programme Officer for Innovation and Supply Chains at IRENA, discusses what countries should do to secure a sustainable energy future, the new risks they may face, and why international partnerships are key to success.

The energy transition is incomplete without addressing how people cook their meals. For over 2.1 billion people worldwide, that still means relying on polluting fuels such as wood, charcoal, and kerosene, which pose serious health risks, particularly for women and children. Yet access to cleaner solutions is one of the most immediate and transformative steps available. Caroline Ochieng, Programme Officer for Energy Access Policy at IRENA, explores how clean cooking can improve health, empower women and youth, protect the environment, support sustainable development, and why it must be central to the energy transition.

Renewable energy auctions have become one of the most widely used policy mechanisms for procuring renewable electricity worldwide. In this episode, Diala Hawila, Team Lead on Renewable Energy Policy and Finance, and Hannah Sofia Guinto, Associate Programme Officer at IRENA, explore how auction design has shifted beyond achieving the lowest possible price to support grid integration, sustainable development and a just energy transition. They examine key design challenges, the objectives governments are embedding into auction frameworks and what countries and communities stand to gain from well-designed auctions.

Aviation accounts for 2.5% of global emissions and remains one of the hardest sectors to decarbonise. Sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) are widely seen as its most immediate solution, yet production sits below 1% of global jet fuel use. In this episode, Haliru Audu, Programme Officer for Project Financing at IRENA, explores what is holding SAF back from scale, what it takes to attract serious investment, and how financial instruments and risk-sharing mechanisms such as FinInvest@ETAF can help bridge the gap between pilot projects and industrial-scale deployment.  

As the global energy transition accelerates, countries face growing pressure to turn renewable energy targets into bankable project pipelines. In this episode, Juan Jose Garcia Mendez, Programme Officer for Clean Energy Transition Scenarios at IRENA, discusses how energy planning is evolving into a dynamic tool for coordinating investment, managing risk and aligning energy systems with development priorities. The conversation also explores inclusive stakeholder engagement and how initiatives such as the LTES network and the Global Coalition for Energy Planning (GCEP) are helping bridge the gap between national plans and financing.

Despite record renewable energy deployment in 2024, job creation in the sector grew by just 2.3%, the smallest increase in years. In this episode, Michael Renner, Head of Socioeconomics and Policy at IRENA, and Olga Strietska-Ilina, Head of Future Skills Unit at the International Labour Organizatition (ILO), unpack the findings of the latest IRENA-ILO report, Renewable energy and jobs: Annual review 2025. The conversation explores the factors shaping employment trends, from automation and geographic shifts to the growing demand for digital and technical skills. The discussion also highlights what policymakers, industry and educational institutions should do to build an inclusive, skilled workforce ready for the energy transition ahead.

Women make up just 32% of the global renewable energy workforce and hold only 19% of senior leadership positions. In this episode, IRENA's expert explores the barriers behind these figures and what it takes to move beyond token inclusion towards meaningful participation. The discussion highlights the role of indigenous women in advancing socio-economic benefits of decentralised renewables, and outlines the actions needed from all stakeholders to unlock a truly gender-equitable energy transition. 

Global investment in the energy transition reached a record $2.4 trillion in 2024, more than double the 2019 levels, with one-third going to renewable technologies. Yet, the pace of growth is slowing and regional disparities persist. In this episode, Faran Rana, Renewable Energy Finance and Policy expert at IRENA, explores what is driving record investments in solar and batteries, the challenges behind slowing deployment in key sectors, and how emerging manufacturing hubs are reshaping global supply chains. The discussion highlights why tripling renewable capacity by 2030 requires not just more money, but the right kind of impact-driven investments.

Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) are countries' self-determined climate commitments under the Paris Agreement, with 2025 marking crucial NDC 3.0 submissions ahead of COP30. In this episode, Toyo Kawabata, Programme Officer, NDC Implementation at IRENA, explores why renewable energy targets in NDCs are essential in helping countries to transition away from fossil fuels. He also discusses the barriers to stronger commitments and pathways for transforming pledges into actionable plans. 

Offshore wind is emerging as a critical technology for the energy transition. With only 83GW of installed capacity today, it has vast untapped potential. In this episode, Simon Benmarraze, Head, Energy Planning and Modelling at IRENA, and Rikke Povlsen from the Global Offshore Wind Alliance (GOWA) explore the technical and commercial viability of GOWA's ambitious target of 2,000 gigawatts of offshore wind by 2050. They discuss falling costs, innovations in floating offshore wind and the role of public-private partnerships in accelerating the deployment of offshore wind.

Battery energy storage is essential for maximising the potential of renewables, and with costs falling 93% since 2010, it has shifted from a costly barrier to a key enabler of the energy transition. In this episode, Deborah Ayres, Renewable Energy Costs team at IRENA explores the drivers behind the cost reductions, policies needed to accelerate deployment and why affordable battery storage is essential for modernising grids, integrating more renewables and achieving the goal of tripling renewable capacity by 2030.

Maritime shipping and aviation together represent over 5 % of global energy-related CO2 emissions, making decarbonisation of these sectors essential. While electric vehicles have revolutionised road transport, aviation and shipping face unique decarbonisation challenges from longer asset lifetimes, complex infrastructure needs, and fuel compatibility requirements. In this episode, IRENA's Arno van den Bos, Analyst – Green Hydrogen Energy (Power to X), explores the innovative approaches needed to cut emissions to make global transport cleaner and more sustainable.

Heavy industries such as shipping, aviation, steel and aluminium account for over a quarter of global carbon emissions, yet remain among the toughest sectors to decarbonise. From the high costs of switching production processes to scaling immature technologies, the challenges are immense. IRENA's Deepti Siddhanti and Karan Kochhar from the Innovation and End-Use team examine the systemic approaches needed to decarbonise heavy industry, explore promising solutions, and share why international collaboration is essential for industrial transformation and a net-zero future.

Road transport accounts for three-quarters of overall global transport emissions, making it a critical sector for decarbonisation. Whilst the ever-increasing amount of electric vehicles is a positive trend, the rising global demand for road transport services, especially in the developing economies, still translates into rising emissions.  In this episode of All Things Renewable, host Daria Gazzola speaks with IRENA’s Programme Officer Jinlei Feng about the role of electric vehicles, infrastructure needs, and innovative solutions to cut emissions, while making cities cleaner, greener, and more accessible. © IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this podcast may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Hydrogen has the potential to decarbonise heavy industry, aviation, and steel production, but significant hurdles remain. From the "chicken and egg" dilemma affecting investment decisions to bridging the cost gap with fossil-derived alternatives, the path to scale isn't simple. IRENA's James Walker, Team Lead - Renewable Gases and Francisco Gaffaro, Team Lead - Power Sector Transformation at IRENA examine the factors needed to advance green hydrogen, explore what makes hydrogen more than just a fuel and share the technological developments that have them most excited.© IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this podcast may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Artificial intelligence is driving unprecedented data center expansion, with electricity demand projected to double by 2030. Can we meet this surging energy demand while maintaining the energy transition? In this episode, Adrian Gonzalez, Programme Officer - Innovation and End-use Sectors at IRENA, explores how a diversified renewable portfolio and smart grid solutions can power our AI-driven digital future sustainably.© IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this podcast may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

From solar and wind to geothermal and bioenergy, the costs of renewable technologies have dropped dramatically over the past decade, with solar leading the surge. In 2024 the costs of renewables have stabilised. Do renewables still make business sense? In this episode, Saied Dardour, IRENA's energy cost expert, breaks down the latest findings from IRENA’s Renewable Power Generation Costs in 2024 report.He explains how renewable costs compare to fossil fuels, what’s driving the stabilization of prices, and why clean energy remains the smart choice for the future. Talking to the host, Daria Gazzola, Saied also addresses affordability myths, regional disparities, and the outlook for renewable economics as the world races to triple capacity by 2030.© IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this podcast may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

In this episode, we take a closer look at the global progress toward Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG 7): ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all by 2030. Today, 666 million people, mostly in the Global South, still remain without access to electricity.Ute Collier, Acting Director of Knowledge, Policy and Finance division at IRENA presents the latest data and tells us what it reveals about the world’s journey toward universal energy access. With less than five years remaining to meet the SDGs, this episode offers a grounded, data-driven conversation on what’s working, what’s missing, and what’s next in the global push for equitable and reliable energy for all. © IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this podcast may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

2024 set a new record with 582 GW of renewables added. But is it enough—and who’s being left behind? IRENA’s data experts, Nazik Elhassan and Dennis Akande, unpack the global trends shaping our clean energy future and walk us through the numbers, the methodology, and the stories hidden in the data.This episode is for anyone who wants to understand the momentum, the gaps, and the global race to triple renewables by 2030. © IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this podcast may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Decentralised renewable energy solutions deliver electricity in remote and rural communities. But energy access is not only about powering homes, it is about empowering lives and livelihoods and unlocking full potential of the remote communities. In this episode, host Daria Gazzola is joined by Kavita Rai, Senior Programme Officer for Energy Access at IRENA, to explore how decentralized renewable energy is reshaping lives: from powering agriculture or healthcare to empowering women and youth. The discussion focuses on impacts, ongoing challenges, and the ripple effects of reliable energy access on education, economic opportunities, healthcare delivery and more. Tune in to discover how decentralized solutions are driving inclusive, sustainable development—one community at a time.

In this episode, Arina Anisie, IRENA innovation expert, talks to the host Daria Gazzola about how innovation in renewable energy goes beyond technological advancements, driving sustainable growth and development globally. This podcast was recorded on the last day of the IRENA Innovation Week, where participants discussed an array of topics from technology and systemic innovation to insights on how innovation can power sustainable growth across emerging and developing economies.© IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this article may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Due to owning and operating much of the infrastructure, utilities play a key role in modernising the grid, making it more flexible and resilient to prepare for uptake of large scale solar and wind energy. In this episode, IRENA’s Programme Officer - Partnerships, Zafar Samadov, shares insights on why utilities are uniquely positioned to drive the shift to renewables, pinpointing the challenges they face, and explains how public-private cooperation is crucial to accelerating progress. © IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this article may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

The youth of today are not just passive bystanders, they are changemakers. The voices of young generations have never been heard as clearly as they are today. In this episode, Riccardo Toxiri from IRENA joins host Daria Gazzola to discuss how youth bring urgency, innovation and bold ideas to the table, shaping energy policies, spearheading impactful initiatives, and gaining recognition on the international stage. Tune in to explore how empowering youth is key to building a sustainable and inclusive future.© IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this article may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

In this conversation with Arieta Gonelevu Rakai, IRENA expert on SIDS and Head of Partnerships, we explore the pressing issues facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the wake of climate change and ways in which energy transition will positively benefit the island communities. With rising sea levels and increasing natural disasters, SIDS, which contribute less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, are among the most vulnerable regions on the planet. Small island countries lead by example and show true resilience, but they need international support. What is and can be done to accelerate their energy transition?

Public funds alone cannot fund the energy transition, but they play a critical role in catalyzing private investment. In this episode, host Daria Gazzola speaks with Diala Hawila, Programme Officer, Policy Advice from IRENA about why only a fraction of global energy transition investment reaches developing economies. They discuss how policy frameworks and public financing mechanisms can catalyze private investment, and why that model hasn’t worked equally everywhere. © IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this article may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

Many developing economies cannot fund their energy transitions without significant international investment. Yet, to obtain funding, projects need to be bankable. In this episode, Erick Ruiz Araya, Deputy Director, Project Facilitation and Support at IRENA, explains why climate finance is critical for powering the energy transition in developing countries and why bankability matters. © IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this article may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

In this episode, we explore the key challenges and opportunities in Africa's energy transition, with a focus on the Accelerated Partnership for Renewables in Africa (APRA).  How can partnerships like APRA unlock investment, drive implementation, and deliver local value?Safiatou Alzouma, IRENA’s Special Advisor on Energy Transition, Climate and Green Industrialisation, joins host Daria Gazzola to discuss what is needed to translate ambition into tangible impact on the ground.© IRENA 2025Unless otherwise stated, material in this article may be freely used, shared, copied, reproduced, printed and/or stored, provided that appropriate acknowledgement is given of the author(s) as the source and IRENA as copyright holder.The findings, interpretations and conclusions expressed herein are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of IRENA or all its Members. IRENA does not assume responsibility for the content of this work or guarantee the accuracy of the data included herein. Neither IRENA nor any of its officials, agents, data or other third-party content providers provide a warranty of any kind, either expressed or implied, and they accept no responsibility or liability for any consequence of use of the content or material herein. The mention of specific companies, projects or products does not imply that they are endorsed or recommended, either by IRENA or the author(s). The designations employed and the presentation of material herein do not imply the expression of any opinion on the part of IRENA or the author(s) concerning the legal status of any region, country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of frontiers or boundaries.

In this conversation with Arieta Gonelevu Rakai, IRENA expert on SIDS and Head of Partnerships, we delve into the pressing issues facing Small Island Developing States (SIDS) in the wake of climate change and ways in which energy transition will positively benefit the island communities. With rising sea levels and increasing natural disasters, SIDS, which contribute less than 1% of global greenhouse gas emissions, are among the most vulnerable regions on the planet. Small island countries lead by example and show true resilience, yet they still need support. What is being done to help them in their energy transition and what more can we do?