Adelaide has been selected to be the host city for the 2024 International Renewable Energy Conference (IREC).
IREC is a huge event on the global clean energy calendar, and is exciting news for South Australia’s role in Australia’s transformation to a clean energy superpower.
The Adelaide conference, announced by Federal Climate Change and Energy Minister, Chris Bowen, and South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis, will be the first to be held in Oceania.
IREC will bring together 3,500 global leaders from government, industry, science and NGOs to share the latest developments in renewable energy and plan for a clean energy future.
This conference is also an opportunity to strengthen international trade partnerships and showcase Australia’s renewed climate leadership, as we demonstrate our potential as a renewable energy superpower.
Federal Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, said IREC 2024 was a fantastic opportunity to showcase the best that Australia and Oceania had to offer in renewable energy.
Adelaide is an ideal destination for the 2024 IREC conference, with South Australia’s world leading transformation of renewables in its grid, and a sound track record in navigating technical challenges in renewable integration while maintaining security, reliability and affordability of energy.
“The future of energy in Australia and the world is renewable, and sharing the latest knowledge with international partners and experts will help make that vision a reality,” Minister Bowen said.
“Australia is on the path to becoming a renewable energy superpower. Forums like IREC will help us continue to work with global partners, the Pacific and First Nations to address key challenges in renewable energy and find the best path to a clean energy future for all.”
A key part of the Adelaide conference, dubbed AUSIREC 2024, will be to consult with and involve Australia’s First Nations peoples in deploying clean energy projects, strengthening the government’s commitment to ensure they are included and benefit from the transition to renewables.
The organisation behind the conference, the Renewable Energy Policy Network for the 21st Century (REN21) is headquartered in Paris and is dedicated to facilitating policy development, exchanging knowledge and joint action towards a rapid transition to renewable energy.
South Australia is the only sub-national member within REN21’s international membership.
South Australian Minister for Energy and Mining, Tom Koutsantonis, said the opportunity to host the event in Adelaide further strengthens the state’s renewable energy credentials.
“The ability to host this significant event is a real feather in South Australia’s cap – 3,500 delegates descending on the city next year will be a welcome boost to the tourism economy and creates a real opportunity to showcase our state’s clean green credentials,” Minister Koutsantonis said.
“The Malinauskas Labor Government has worked hard to re-energise the state’s tourism sector, through major events, sport and significant conferences such as this.
“The conference will also showcase South Australia’s renewable energy agenda, including our planned Hydrogen hub on the Upper Spencer Gulf.”
Adelaide’s successful bid for the 2024 event was supported by Tourism Australia’s Business Events Bid Fund Program.
IREC has been held biennially since 2004, with previous conferences held in Seoul, South Korea; Washington DC, US; Beijing, China; and Madrid. AUSIREC 2024 will be held on April 7-11, 2024 in Adelaide, South Australia.
