The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) has now joined the International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance). All the leading international renewable energy organisations are now part of the REN Alliance.

PRESS RELEASE International Renewable Energy Alliance: World Bioenergy Association joins REN Alliance

11 June 2009, Bonn/Freiburg/London/Reykjavik/Stockholm

The World Bioenergy Association (WBA) has now joined the International Renewable Energy Alliance (REN Alliance), further unifying and strengthening the Alliance's voice for the renewable energy sector worldwide. All the leading international renewable energy organisations are now part of the REN Alliance.

The REN Alliance already consists of the International Geothermal Association (IGA), the International Hydropower Association (IHA), the International Solar Energy Society (ISES), and the World Wind Association (WWEA), representing the geothermal, hydropower, solar, and wind energy sectors respectively.

The Hon. Peter Rae AO, Chairman of the REN Alliance, who officially announced the joining of WBA on 4 June 2009 said: "We warmly welcome the newly formed World Bioenergy Association to the Alliance. All the renewable energy resources are needed to address the needs of Climate Change, Security of Supply and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals. By working together these objectives will be more readily achieved. Bioenergy is used in almost every country around the world, and the potential to increase the use of bioenergy is very large. A wide range of technical solutions is at hand, both in developed and developing countries. Bioenergy can be based on a wide variety of biomass raw materials and biofuels (solid, gaseous and liquid), in small, medium and large-scale applications. To use bioenergy in an efficient way is an important part of a sustainable energy system based on renewable energy sources."

Kent Nyström, President of the World Bioenergy Association (WBA) said: "We are pleased to join the REN Alliance and look forward to working closely with other members of the Alliance. The WBA strongly believes that together we can achieve more than we can individually. In addition we consider this an opportunity to further strengthen the important role of bioenergy as part of a worldwide renewable energy system. A joint effort provides a strong international voice on renewable energy for the benefit of the climate. Having all global renewable energy associations working together helps ensure security of supply as well as several general environmental benefits. When we act together in the REN Alliance we can demonstrate the potential of renewable energy, correct false information and give a positive picture of renewable energy based on true facts."

Richard Taylor, Executive Director of the International Hydropower Association (IHA) stated: "We welcome the timely joining of the WBA to the REN Alliance. Bioenergy, in the form of traditional biomass already accounts for the largest share of any renewable of the world's energy final energy consumption (13%). Moving from traditional to modern clean sustainable bioenergy deployment is both a major challenge and opportunity. It is part of the renewable energy solution, alongside the other renewables, in meeting the world's energy, climate change, environmental, and human development challenges. The unity and strength of the REN Alliance is in the dynamic synergy between all renewables; with the addition of the WBA we look forward to taking that to the next level on the global agenda together." Christine Hornstein, Executive Director of the International Solar Energy Society (ISES) said: "ISES shares this strong enthusiasm and support of the WBA joining the REN Alliance. With the membership of the WBA, the REN Alliance can strengthen further cooperation within the renewable energy sector. Solar and bioenergy in particular, as decentralized renewable energy sources can play a significant role in providing sustainable energy especially in the developing countries. ISES recognizes the importance of bioenergy within the renewable energy mix and looks forward to a rewarding cooperation with the new REN Alliance partner on advancing sustainable bioenergy in conjunction with solar, wind, hydropower and geothermal energy sources. Working together through the REN Alliance will help to advance the aims of this joint effort and bring the renewable energy sector closer to meeting the world's energy needs."

Stefan Gsänger, Secretary General of the World Wind Energy Association (WWEA) commented: "Bioenergy is perfectly complementary to the other renewable technologies and has to play a key role in a worldwide sustainable and renewable energy supply system. We are therefore very pleased that the World Bioenergy Association has joined our International Renewable Energy Alliance and that now the leading global bodies of all the renewable technologies are working closely together. This is a clear signal and an essential precondition for the necessary shift towards a renewable energy future and for the final success of each of the individual renewable technologies. It is perfect timing for this close cooperation also in the light of the great success of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) which is in the process of establishment and has already today more than 80 member states. The REN Alliance is ready to play an important role in this and continue its strong commitment and support for the operations of IRENA."

Arni Ragnasson, Executive Director of the International Geothermal Association (IGA) said: "It is a great pleasure for the International Geothermal Association to welcome the World Bioenergy Association into the renewable energy family. It is our belief that a strong cooperation between the organizations within the REN Alliance will bring us a step forward in our efforts to reach the common goal of the renewable energy sector. Bioenergy will play an important role in harnessing the great potential of renewable energy for contributing to the solution of today's energy security and environmental challenges. We look forward to a continued fruitful cooperation within the REN Alliance."

For more information please contact:

Arni Ragnasson, IGA, Tel: +354 588 4437; Fax: +354 588 4431; iga@samorka.is ; www.iga.igg.cnr.it Richard Taylor, IHA, Tel: +44 20 8652 5290; Fax: +44 20 8643 5600; iha@hydropower.org ; www.hydropower.org Christine Hornstein, ISES, Tel: +49 761 45906-91; Fax: +49 761 45906-99; public.relations@ises.org ; www.ises.org Stefan Gsänger, WWEA, Tel: +49 228 36940-80; Fax: +49 228 36940-84; secretariat@wwindea.org ; www.wwindea.org Kent Nyström, WBA, Tel: +46 706768538; Fax: +46 8 44170 89; info@worldbioenergy.org ; www.worldbioenergy.org