Members Login

National Energy Masterplan Development

ShowHide Quick Links

Many countries around the world choose to develop a national energy/electricity sector masterplan. For the electricity sector, such plans are often called Integrated Resource Plans. A reliable and up-to-date masterplan helps countries to create a stable and predictable investment environment, and provides a framework for the expansion of renewable energy deployment and the design of suitable energy/electricity sector policies.

Energy system modelling allows system-wide policy assessments that consider supply security, energy access, affordability, environmental impact and financial constraints. IRENA offers support to countries for developing robust national energy masterplans. IRENA support aims to build the relevant institutional capacity in partner countries through training on the use of energy planning tools and scenario development. The ultimate objective is for the country to independently prepare and update an energy masterplan.

IRENA’s energy planning support utilises the System Planning Tool (SPLAT) model, adapted to the context and energy system of the respective country. SPLAT provides an energy supply optimisation framework to a reference energy system and has been developed by IRENA based on the MESSAGE software from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). SPLAT models reflect the latest expert knowledge on resource availability and cost development trends for various renewable sources.

 

National Energy Planning Support Programmes

 

IRENA-Sierra Leone Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme (July 2017 – currently)

The Republic of Sierra Leone’s government and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) are undertaking a joint Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme. The Programme’s objective is for Sierra Leone to establish a national energy planning unit for energy statistics and long-term energy planning and to gain the capacity to self-dependently prepare and regularly update a national energy masterplan.

In line with the objectives of the Programme, IRENA provides a team of around 20 national energy sector staff (the national ‘working team’) with the means and tools for working with energy sector data, designing energy planning scenarios and developing a comprehensive national energy masterplan document.

The Programme consists of a series of four training courses. This includes training on MESSAGE software, the IRENA System Planning Test (SPLAT) model, data management, scenario design and masterplan development. The Programme also engages with national energy sector decision-makers to ensure that results can be adequately translated into policy and implementation. For details on the specific activities and training courses under the national Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme:

Specific Activities

 

IRENA-Eswatini Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme (April 2016 – October 2018)

In 2016, the government of the Kingdom of Eswatini [1] (then known as Swaziland) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) agreed to hold a joint Energy Planning Capacity-Building Programme.

From April 2016 to October 2018, IRENA provided energy planning support to Estwatini, including trainings on the System Planning Test (SPLAT) least-cost optimization model, data management and scenario development. Based on the trainings, the national experts formed a national Working Team, and applied energy planning tools for both energy demand and supply for preparation of a national energy masterplan. The process of developing the energy masterplan was supported by IRENA as needed. The draft masterplan was presented and discussed at a national stakeholder workshop in 2017. The Energy Masterplan 2034 was approved by cabinet and formally launched on 25 October 2018. For details on the national energy planning support programme:

Specific Activities

 

[1] The Kingdom of Eswatini, previously known as the Kingdom of Swaziland, officially changed its name on 19 April 2018.  

Other capacity building activities

Featured

Planning for the renewable future: Long-term modelling and tools to expand variable renewable power in emerging economies

This report highlights the findings from AVRIL (“Addressing Variable Renewable Energy in Long-term Energy Planning”), a project by IRENA that has identified the best practices in long-term planning and modelling to represent high shares of VRE. 
  • January 2017
  • |
  • Power, Energy Transition
  • |
  • English

Recent Publications

Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report (2020)

This joint tracking report provides the most comprehensive look available at the world&rsq...

Energy subsidies: Evolution in the global energy transformation to 2050

The energy sector lacks a standard definition of subsidies. This paper contribut...

Global Renewables Outlook: Energy transformation 2050

This outlook highlights climate-safe investment options until 2050, policies for transitio...

Power sector planning in Arab countries: Incorporating variable renewables

This report builds on input from a regional long-term planning workshop to addre...

More

Related Content

Related Work

Upcoming Events

SIDS High-Level Dialogue: Accelerating Energy Transition in Small Island Developing States to Stimulate Post-Pandemic Recovery

01 June 2020 |Webinar

High-Level Dialogue that the Alliance of Small Island States (AOSIS) and the International Renewable...

More

Past Events

Webinar: Integration of low-temperature energy sources into existing district energy networks and buildings

26 May 2020 | Webinar

In the framework of the Energy Solutions for Cities of the Future project, IRENA with Aalborg...

High-Level Dialogue: Pandemic Response and Recovery and Africa's Energy Transformation

20 May 2020 | Virtual event

The African Union Commission (AUC) and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) organised a...

More