Who we are - REN21 Renewable energy for the 21st Century

REN21:

REN21 is a global network bringing together diverse stakeholders — governments, industry, NGOs, academia, and more — to drive the systemic transformation necessary for a renewable-powered world. Our collective mission is to build an economy grounded in renewables, advancing sustainable and equitable societies for all.

Our vision is a world where renewable energy is the foundation for strong, equitable, and resilient economies.

Renewables are not just a sustainable solution; they are the undeniable choice for people, nature, and prosperity.

REN21 fosters an enabling environment to accelerate the adoption of renewables. We provide a collaborative platform for diverse stakeholders to engage, innovate, and align their efforts. Empowered by knowledge, cutting-edge tools, and a culture of dialogue and debate, our global network drives the deep transformation needed to make renewables the norm, unlocking a future of shared opportunities.

REN21 was created in 2004 as an outcome of the Bonn2004 International Conference on Renewable Energy. This “coalition of the willing” came together with one objective in mind: to support and accelerate the development of renewable energy.

REN21 stands for the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century.

From the outset, REN21’s mandate has been to collect, consolidate and synthesise a vast body of renewable energy data to provide clear and reliable information on what is happening in real-time.

This mandate still holds today.

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

REN21 Members convene every three years to review the proposed upcoming, three-year work plan and to elect a REN21 Steering Committee. This Steering Committee represents the REN21 community, providing strategic direction to REN21’s work programme.

STEERING COMMITTEE

This is the main governing entity of REN21. Fifty representatives are voted in from among REN21’s members. Collectively, the Steering Committee reflects the various organisational and geographical backgrounds as well as the values of the larger network. Steering Committee members serve a three-year cycle.

Steering Committee members for 2025-2027 are:

President

Ramón Méndez Galain, Former Energy and Climate Minister, Uruguay & Executive Director, Ivy

Industry Associations

ARE, Alliance for Rural Electrification
EREF, European Renewable Energies Federation
GSC, Global Solar Council
GWEC, Global Wind Energy Council
IHA, International Hydropower Association
LDES Council, Long Duration Energy Storage Council
RE100/Climate Group
RES4Africa Foundation
WBA, World Bioenergy Association
WWEA, World Wind Energy Association

Inter-governmental Organisations

European Commission
Global Environment Facility
IEA, International Energy Agency
IRENA, International Renewable Energy Agency
IsDB, Islamic Development Bank
RCREE, Regional Center for Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency
UNDP, United Nations Development Programme
UNEP, United Nations Environment Programme
UNIDO, United Nations Industrial Development Organization
World Bank

Governments

Austria, Federal Ministry for Economy, Energy and Tourism, Republic of Austria
Brazil, Ministry of External Relations
Dominican Republic, National Energy Commision CNE
Germany, BMWE (Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Energy) & BMZ (Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development)
Morocco, MASEN
Norway, Ministry of Petroleum and Energy
Republic of Korea
Spain, Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge
Zimbabwe, Ministry of Energy

NGOs

350.org
CAN-I, Climate Action Network International
CCA, Clean Cooking Alliance
EYEN, European Youth Energy Network
GWNET, Global Women’s Network for the Energy Transition
ICLEI
IISD, International Institute for Sustainable Development
PSA, Power Shift Africa
REEEP, Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Partnership
SEforAll, Sustainable Energy for All

Science & Academia

CEEW, Council on Energy, Environment and Water
TERI, The Energy and Resources Institute
NREL, National Renewable Energy Laboratory
SEI, Stockholm Environment Institute
WRI, World Resources Institute

Multi-Stakeholder Network Partnerships

Hydropower Sustainability Alliance
SLOCAT Partnership on sustainable, low carbon transport

Members at large

Rabia Ferroukh, Director at International Network of Energy Transition Think Tanks (INETTT)
Kirsty Hamilton, Chatham House
Peter Rae, REN Alliance

BUREAU

The Bureau is made up of the REN21 President and Executive Director, and seven Steering Committee members. The Bureau is the executive body of REN21 – with members making the operational decisions. Bureau members serve a two-year cycle.

Bureau members for 2025-2027 are: