Renewable energy investments shielded nations from global crises says IRENA chief

Countries that prioritised renewable energy investments demonstrated higher economic resilience during recent geopolitical crises compared to those dependent on traditional fuels, according to Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Speaking to the Emirates News Agency (WAM) on Wednesday, 4 November, at ADIPEC 2026 in Abu Dhabi, La Camera stated that decentralised systems based on renewables now provide superior energy security guarantees. However, he warned that the global target to triple renewable capacity by 2030 may no longer be enough as global energy demand outpaces previous forecasts. Rising Demand Pressures Climate Targets Data from IRENA’s World Energy Transition Outlook 2026, released in October, projects that electricity’s share of global final energy consumption will rise from 23 per cent today to 35 per cent by 2035. By 2050, electrification is expected to exceed 50 per cent. La Camera noted that while the world is approaching the 2030 tripling target, the surge in demand—driven largely by industrial growth and emerging technologies—means the international community must likely exceed these goals to remain consistent with the Paris Agreement. The report confirmed that while renewable costs continue to decline, progress remains unevenly spread across global regions. The Dual Impact of Artificial Intelligence A central theme at ADIPEC 2026, which concludes on Thursday, 5 November, is the role of Artificial…