EREF is the European federation of national renewable energy associations and promotes the interests of the renewable energy sector by disseminating expertise in renewable energy and facilitating the exportation of product assets.
Traditionally, many European companies and producers in the renewables sector seek business opportunities beyond the EU, especially in Africa and Latin America. EREF facilitates such activities and transfers information between African and international initiatives on the one hand, and European renewable energy stakeholders on the other. EREF has joint activities with the following initiatives and organisations.
Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century
REN21 is the global renewable energy policy multi-stakeholder network that connects a wide range of key actors. REN21's goal is to facilitate knowledge exchange, policy development and joint action towards a rapid global transition to renewable energy. The network brings together governments, nongovernmental organisations, research and academic institutions, international organisations and industry to learn from one another and build on successes that advance renewable energy. To assist policy decision making, REN21 provides high quality information, catalyses discussion and debate and supports the development of thematic networks. REN21's flagship product is the annual Global Renewables Status report. Together with alternate hosting governments, REN21 is convening biannual International Renewable Energy Conferences (IREC) as a high-level political conference series dedicated to renewable energy policy worldwide.
EREF is a member of REN21 and also a member of the network's Steering Committee which is elected for a three years term as the central governing entity of REN21 by the general assembly.
GET.invest
GET.invest is a European programme which supports investments in decentralised renewable energy projects. The programme targets private sector business and project developers, financiers and regulators to build sustainable energy markets. Services include project and business development support, market information as well as matchmaking, and assistance in implementing regulatory processes. They are delivered globally and across different market segments. GET.invest is supported by the European Union, Germany, Sweden, the Netherlands, and Austria, and works closely with initiatives and industry associations in the energy sector.
International Energy Agency
The International Energy Agency (IEA) is a Paris-based intergovernmental organization established in the framework of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) in 1974 in the wake of the 1973 oil crisis. The IEA is serving as an information source on statistics about the international oil market and other energy sectors.
The annual World EnergyOutlook (WEO) is a global reference energy statistics and analysis. The IEA's mission is guided by four main areas of focus: energy security, economic development, environmental awareness and engagement worldwide. The IEA and in particular the association's renewable energy unit is closely working with IRENA and REN21.
EREF is a member of the IEA's Renewable Energy Industry Advisory Board (RIAB) , which is convened at least annually back to back with relevant international (renewable) energy related events.
Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform
The Global 100% Renewable Energy Platform (Global 100%RE) was founded as a network by partners from civil society, industry, science and policy and was launched in April 2013 in San Francisco. The overall goal is to up the debate on renewable energy towards 100% RE as the new normal as well as establish a global network of 100% RE regions. The network campaigns for 100% renewable energy in power, heating/cooling, and transport sectors globally; new investments in energy systems must be 100% renewable energy based immediately; and a decentralized and people-centred approach as the fastest way to transform and benefit societies. The Global 100%RE is the first global platform advocating 100% renewable energy. It connects the fragmented dots of renewable energy advocates to build a global alliance, proving that being powered by 100% sustainable renewable energy is urgent and achievable. The platform aims at establishing 100% renewable energy as the new normal.
EREF has been supporting the Global 100%RE campaign since the beginning and became a member of the platform after its constitution in 2017.
International Renewable Energy Agency
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is an intergovernmental organisation that supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and related economic growth and prosperity. IRENA encourages governments to adopt enabling policies for renewable energy investments, provides practical tools and policy advice to accelerate renewable energy deployment, and facilitates knowledge sharing and technology transfer to provide clean, sustainable energy for the world's growing population. With more than 170 Member States actively engaged, IRENA promotes renewable resources and technologies as the key to a sustainable future and helps countries achieve their renewable energy potential.
EREF is a founding member of IRENA's multi-stakeholder Coalition for Action, which was established in January 2014. Today, the Coalition brings together over 80 leading renewable energy players including private sector companies, industry associations, civil society, research institutes and intergovernmental organisations. The Coalitions activities are facilitated by working groups with an annual mandate — in 2018, there is a Business and Investors Working Group with a Community Energy sub-Group, a Communications and Outreach Working Group and a Towards 100% Renewable Energy Working Group, which is chaired by EREF's Vice President Rainer Hinrichs-Rahlwes.
