The 2024 International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC) will be held in Adelaide, the first to be held in Oceania.
The announcement was made by REN21 (the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century), the organisation behind the conference; the Australian Government; the South Australian Government; and the Clean Energy Council.
IREC is an important event on the global clean energy calendar and will bring together 3,500 global leaders from government, industry, science and NGOs to share the latest developments in renewable energy and plan for a clean energy future.
This conference is also an opportunity to strengthen international trade partnerships and showcase Australia’s renewed climate leadership, and to demonstrate the nation’s potential as a renewable energy superpower.
Minister of climate change and energy Chris Bowen said IREC 2024 was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best that Australia and Oceania had to offer in renewable energy.
“The future of energy in Australia and the world is renewable, and sharing the latest knowledge with international partners and experts will help make that vision a reality,” Bowen said.
“Australia is on the path to becoming a renewable energy superpower. Forums like IREC will help us continue to work with global partners, the Pacific and First Nations to address key challenges in renewable energy and find the best path to a clean energy future for all.”
A key part of the Adelaide conference, dubbed AUSIREC 2024, will be to consult with and involve Australia’s First Nations peoples in deploying clean energy projects, strengthening the government’s commitment to ensure they are included and benefit from the transition to renewables.
REN21 is headquartered in Paris and is dedicated to facilitating policy development, exchanging knowledge and joint action towards a rapid transition to renewable energy.
South Australia is the only sub-national member within REN21’s international membership.
South Australian minister for energy and mining Tom Koutsantonis said the opportunity to host the event in Adelaide further strengthens the state’s renewable energy credentials.
“The ability to host this significant event is a real feather in South Australia’s cap – 3,500 delegates descending on the city next year will be a welcome boost to the tourism economy and creates a real opportunity to showcase our state’s clean green credentials.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government has worked hard to re-energise the state’s tourism sector, through major events, sport and significant conferences such as this.
“The conference will also showcase South Australia’s renewable energy agenda, including our planned Hydrogen hub on the Upper Spencer Gulf.”
Clean Energy Council chief executive, Kane Thornton, said that the selection of Adelaide as the host of IREC 2024 is well-deserved recognition of Australia’s status as an emerging clean energy superpower.
“The Australian renewable energy industry is globally renowned for its clean energy transition, including leading the world in per capita rooftop solar installations and the rapid development of an emerging clean hydrogen export industry,” he said.
“South Australia is at the forefront of this transition, with the state the only gigawatt-scale grid in the world that regularly produces enough wind and solar power to meet all its energy needs.”
Adelaide’s successful bid for the 2024 event was supported by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program.
IREC has been held biennially since 2004, with previous conferences held in Seoul, South Korea; Washington DC, US; Beijing, China; and this year in Madrid, Spain.
AUSIREC 2024 will be held on April 7-11, 2024 in Adelaide, South Australia.