Meeting of the Collaborative Framework on Enhancing Dialogue on High Shares of Renewables in Energy Systems: Workstream on Integrated Energy System Planning with focus on Unlocking Stranded GWs

The Collaborative Framework on High Shares of Renewables in Energy Systems serves as a common forum for dialogue, experience-sharing, and technical exchange among Members and key relevant stakeholders addressing the complex challenges of integrating high shares of renewable energy into power systems. The global transition to net zero is facing a critical bottleneck at the grid connection stage, with at least 3,000 GW of projects (half in advanced stages) awaiting integration. Growing grid congestion continues to slow the integration of new clean energy assets, while slow and fragmented anticipatory grid expansion planning prevents infrastructure from keeping pace with rapidly increasing renewable deployment. Advancing renewable energy capacity remains significantly constrained by a range of systemic challenges that span policy, planning, regulation, and technical readiness.

The virtual meeting will provide a platform for IRENA members, utilities and industry stakeholders to share experiences on measures that unlock stranded GW assets. It will seek to explore how energy planning can better enable use of existing and built out of new grid infrastructure with energy storage for largescale renewable integration. It also offers an opportunity to exchange best practices on innovative operational solutions such as use of capacity maps, AI applications, digital tools, and data driven market design that supports policy and investment decisions. The meeting will examine how regulatory frameworks can encourage anticipatory investments in grid expansion and technologies that enhance existing infrastructure.

This meeting is by invitation only.