Designing the Renewables-Based Economy: Demand, Electrification, and Systems Transformation
As energy demand rises and geopolitical uncertainty reshapes global markets, countries are rethinking how their economies are powered. While renewable energy deployment is accelerating, less attention has been given to how economies are structured to use that energy.
This Global RENdez-vous series explores how demand, electrification and system design can work together to build resilient, competitive and renewables-based economies. Bringing together voices from across sectors and regions, the dialogues focus on practical insights, trade-offs and pathways to align energy systems with real-world demand.
RDV 1 – Demand as a Driver: Electrification, Energy Security and Economic Resilience
This first dialogue in the series explores how rising electricity demand is reshaping energy transitions in a context of geopolitical uncertainty and energy security concerns. Focusing on key sectors – transport, buildings, agriculture and industry – this session examines how their evolving needs are driving electrification and what this means for economies shifting away from fossil fuels.
Bringing in perspectives from developing economies, the session highlights practical challenges, emerging solutions and the need for stronger coordination between demand and energy planning, setting the foundation for how energy systems must respond.
6 May 2026 – 15:00-16:15 CET
Registration link
Co-organising partners
SLOCAT, REEEP, Global ABC (tbc), World Economic Forum (WEF)
RDV 2 – Systems Integration for Renewables-based Economies
Building on the first dialogue, this session explores how energy systems must evolve to meet rising demand for renewables and electrification. As sectors like transport, buildings and industry electrify, systems need to integrate higher shares of renewable energy while maintaining reliability and affordability.
Focusing on grids, storage and demand-side flexibility, the discussion highlights practical challenges, coordination gaps and system-level solutions to align energy infrastructure with economic needs and strengthen resilience.
13 May 2026 – 15:00-16:15 CET
Registration link
Co-organising partners
GEIDCO, IEEFA, LDES, We Mean Business Coalition
This RENdez-vous Dialogue Series is part of REN21’s broader effort to make renewables central to economic policy and planning across all regions by convening the community through exchange and debate. With input from African experts, policymakers, and industry leaders, the dialogues are generating a shared vision for a renewables-led future — one shaped by local priorities, systems thinking, and long-term economic opportunity. These RENdez-vous’ are intended to live beyond the session, being used as catalysts for larger global conversations in international forums including the African Energy Week, COP30 and the South African G20 Presidency.
