NCM And Global Partners Drive Renewable Energy Forward With Key Workshop

The National Centre of Meteorology (NCM) is hosting an international workshop titled "Advancing Renewable Energy: A Global Workshop on Weather, Water, and Climate Services." This event aims to bring together global experts to discuss the intersection of renewable energy and advanced meteorological services. The workshop will focus on enhancing the capabilities of national meteorological and hydrological services (NMHSs) to provide specialised information to the renewable energy sector.

The workshop, co-organised by the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO) with support from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), aims to explore a global mechanism to improve NMHSs' capacities. This mechanism could potentially take the form of a WMO Global Centre, providing comprehensive weather, water, and climate services to the energy sector. Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous, Director-General of NCM and President of WMO, stated, "A global mechanism, potentially in the form of a WMO Global Centre, is essential for the provision of comprehensive weather, water, and climate services to the energy sector."

With over 70 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions attributed to the energy sector, there is a strong commitment from the global community to triple renewable energy capacities and double energy efficiency by 2030. These commitments align with decisions made during COP28 in the UAE. The workshop will discuss how advanced weather, water, and climate science can support this energy transition and mitigate climate change.

Reliable and resilient energy infrastructures depend heavily on accurate hydrological and meteorological data. Such data are crucial for protecting energy systems against extreme weather events and broader climate change impacts. Early warning systems tailored to the needs of the energy sector are essential for improving energy security.

Dr Johan Stander, Director of the WMO Services Department, emphasised the need for resilience in energy systems. He said, "While the main focus is on climate mitigation and the transition to renewables, there is a strong need to strengthen the resilience of energy systems, including renewable power plants, against more frequent and intense extreme events driven by climate change."

Supporting Global Goals

The proposed mechanism aims to synergise with ongoing initiatives by WMO Technical Commissions. It will support WMO members in facilitating national net zero energy transitions, managing energy demand, enhancing system resilience, providing early warnings, ensuring security, and improving efficiency. The workshop will also consider how this mechanism could help countries achieve UNFCCC Paris Agreement goals, COP28 pledges on renewables and efficiency, and UN SDG7 goals.

The increased use of solar, wind, hydropower, geothermal, and marine energy sources globally underscores the importance of this initiative. The workshop will highlight how advanced weather services play a crucial role in supporting this shift towards renewable energies.

Dr. Abdulla Al Mandous added that hosting such workshops enables sharing insights from leading experts across meteorological and energy topics. He said that through its commitment to bringing together top minds for this vital initiative, "the UAE is leading global efforts to develop weather and water expertise to secure sustainable energy for future generations."

This international workshop represents a significant step towards enhancing global cooperation in renewable energy development through improved meteorological services.

With inputs from WAM