PRESS RELEASE International Renewable Energy Alliance: International Geothermal Association Joins IREA

7 November 2006, Bonn/Freiburg/London/Reykjavik

The International Renewable Energy Alliance (IREA) is now an alliance of the four leading international renewable energy organisations. The International Geothermal Association (IGA) has recently joined the alliance of the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) and the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA), to form a unified voice for the renewable energy sector.

The Hon. Peter Rae AO, Convenor of IREA, officially announced the IGA joining IREA during the inaugural session on the occasion of the 5th World Wind Energy Conference (WWEC) in New Delhi, India yesterday just after the conference was inaugurated with an address by His Excellency Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam, the Honourable President of India.

Today, a panel discussion on the topic of renewable energy, titled“Energy Independence – The Symphony of the Renewables” will take place at the WWEC. ISES President Torben Esbensen, WWEA President Anil Kane, IHA Vice President Roger Gill and the IREA Convenor Peter Rae AO, among others will take part in the panel discussion. The IGA’s participation in the International Renewable Energy Alliance (IREA) is an important achievement on the road to realizing energy independence, as geothermal energy plays a significant role in the “Symphony” of renewables. This marks a newly strengthened cooperation and combined collaboration of efforts necessary for success.

Arni Ragnasson, Executive Director of IGA says, “The IGA is pleased to join the International Renewable Energy Alliance and looks forward to the cooperation with the other renewable energy sectors. The IGA considers this as an opportunity to strengthen the promotion of geothermal development worldwide and work for the objectives of the organization. A joint effort is needed to provide a united voice on renewable energy issues and encourage the use of renewable energy for the benefit of the environment.”

Richard Taylor, Executive Director of the International Hydropower Association: ”IHA shares with its partners a strong enthusiasm for close collaboration inside the family of renewable energy technologies. It has great pleasure in welcoming the International Geothermal Association within the International Renewable Energy Alliance. It is through the Alliance that the common goal to advance collectively the role of renewable energy can be realized. IHA is pleased to be participating in the 5th World Wind Energy Conference, and finds it a most appropriate event in which to make the announcement on the further expansion of the Alliance.”

Christine Hornstein, Executive Director of the International Solar Energy Society: “This is a great step for IREA and for then entire renewable energy sector. Through the continued and strengthened cooperation among the partner organisations we can together realize a common goal of a renewable energy transition. We are at a critical point where all renewable energy organisations must work together. The IGA’s participation in IREA helps strengthening our work and the role of renewables in the global energy supply. ISES welcomes the IGA and looks forward to fruitful and successful
cooperation.”

Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association: "WWEA warmly welcomes the colleagues of the International Geothermal Association. For the global wind sector, cooperation with the other renewable energy sectors is of vital importance, be it on a technical or on a political level. We are very proud that the enlargement of the International Renewable Energy Alliance has been announced on the occasion of our 5th World Wind Energy Conference in New Delhi with the President of India attending. A joint representation of the case of the renewables will strengthen our efforts to increase soon and substantially the share of renewables in the global energy supply."

For more information please contact: