Over the past 7 years since the Agency was established, the countries that have joined the Agency have grown quickly. China joined IRENA in 2014.

IRENA's mandate is to help countries with accelerated renewable energy deployment and with energy transition based on renewable energy and energy efficiency. It has been helping countries by using its knowledge and advice, and by facilitating best practice across the industry.

In the Chinese context, the agency is working with Hebei province on the design and implementation of energy transition for Zhangjiakou city in connection to the development of the Renewable Energy Demonstration Zone. Together with NEA and Jiangsu province, the agency organized two sessions of the International Forum for Energy Transition in Suzhou. Together with State Grid, the agency is exploring the potential of replacing fossil fuels with renewable electricity in buildings, industry and transport.

It is encouraging to see such a big gathering in Taiyuan to discuss the energy transition of a province dominated by coal production, and to explore what opportunities such a transition could bring for the people of Shanxi.

For Shanxi province, where energy transformation can reduce the need to use fossil fuels, the energy transition is crucial because the province has relied too much on the coal industry. However, energy transition can bring potentially negative consequences, such as unemployment. It is vital to find opportunities for energy transition that can create jobs and bring new economic activities.

—— Dolf Gielen, Director of the Innovation and Technology Center at the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)