IRENA Releases Advisory Addressing Energy Crisis
The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on April 13, 2026 released a policy advisory document detailing actions for policy makers to address the energy crisis.
The 10-page document titled ‘From Energy Crisis To Energy Security: Actions For Policy Makers’ says that the ongoing conflict in Middle East has severely disrupted global oil and gas supplies, with the selective closure of Strait of Hormuz as well as sustained attacks on infrastructure across the region affecting key international energy flows. This has led to rapid and erratic increases in oil and gas prices. The advisory lists short-term actions, medium-term actions and long-term actions each to address the most pressing energy challenges posed by the current conflict and make them more resilient to future fuel shocks.
The report says that the adoption of renewable energy has impacted many countries’ fuel imports by reducing them. It adds that addition of renewable energy capacity is breaking new records each year. Long term cost reductions in renewable energy technologies and battery storage are reshaping the economics of electricity generation, the document adds, mentioning that a newly commissioned utility-scale renewable installations deliver power at lower levelised cost of electricity (LCOE) than a fossil fuel-based alternative.
The advisory document points out that world over, battery storage system prices have declined, leading to a surge in deployments. The total battery storage added in 2025 was approximately 247 GWh, which is nearly double of the additions recorded in 2024, it notes.
The advisory also mentions that India’s share of renewable energy increased from 14.6% in 2016 to 20.2% in 2025.
The advisory defines short-term actions as ones with a time-window of upto three months, medium-term actions as that to be taken 6-12 months, and long-term actions that are to be taken in 1-3 years.
“The current crisis clearly demonstrates the strategic case for renewables as a national security imperative”, commented IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera. “There is an opportunity to prioritise actions that enhance long-term energy stability. Governments must urgently consider targeted interventions to steer investment and emergency responses towards accelerating the deployment of renewable power and the electrification of energy-consuming processes and sectors.”
The policy advisory is available on the IRENA website.
