IRENA Director-General responds to Yicai: Local protectionism is hindering the energy transition

“To some extent, this has already happened. But I also believe it (protectionism) will be overcome.” When asked whether he was concerned that local protectionism might hinder the energy transition, Francesco La Camera, Director-General of the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), stated the above to a reporter from Yicai Global.

Since the outbreak of the recent Middle East conflict, the passage through the Strait of Hormuz has been obstructed, and oil and gas facilities have been attacked, resulting in a significant impact on global trade flows and economic development. This has prompted economies that heavily rely on imported energy to reassess their energy strategies and accelerate the pace of green energy transition. For example, the UK government introduced new regulations on the 24th, requiring all new homes in England to be equipped with heat pumps and solar panels. UK Energy Minister Ed Miliband stated in a statement that the Middle East conflict indicates that promoting clean energy development is crucial for the UK’s energy security, allowing the UK to break free from the constraints of an uncontrollable fossil fuel market.

During the recent Boao Forum for Asia Annual Conference 2026, La Camera expressed during a media interview that the Middle East conflict has made countries acutely aware of the importance of resilience, relative independence, and decentralization in energy systems, and that a renewable energy-based energy system is the best way to ensure security and resilience.

“The recent Middle East crisis clearly proves once again that renewable energy is not only a clean solution, or the most competitively viable way to produce energy physically, nor is it merely a technology that can create more jobs per unit of investment; it is also a technology that guarantees energy security,” he stated.

In the ongoing efforts for energy transition over the years, driven by economies of scale, technological breakthroughs, and global supply chains, the prices of renewable energy have significantly decreased, but its global development speed is still hindered by protectionism and trade barriers such as tariffs. A report released by the United Nations last year also pointed out that “significant political and economic obstacles” remain in the process of transitioning from fossil fuels to renewable energy.

In response to a question from Yicai Global, La Camera emphasized the importance of the efficiency, resilience, and security of energy systems for a nation’s economic competitiveness.

“The shocks brought about by this crisis have clearly indicated that our actions cannot be delayed,” he stated. “If you want to be competitive, you must build an energy system that can provide support at the lowest cost. If you cannot provide this guarantee for your national economy, participating in international competition will become extremely difficult, if not impossible. So, in my view, the question that countries must face today is: do they prefer to be marginalized, or do they want to be at the center of real development?”

“We are striving to clarify in various forums: the superiority of a clean energy system lies not only in its environmental benefits but also in its efficiency and convenience, making it the best way to showcase and enhance a nation’s overall competitiveness. If a country does not do this, it is likely to be eliminated by the times.” he stated.

(This article is from Yicai Global)