Courtesy from Hammerfest Strøm

The United Arab Emirates has been selected to house the secretariat of a new International Renewable Energy Agency, or IRENA, on the site capital Abu Dhabi’s future “carbon-neutral” test community, Masdar City.

Austria, Denmark and Germany were tough competitors for their vibrant alternative energy industries, but oil-rich Abu Dhabi won out.

“A generous commitment of financial and political support won over a significant following among member states of the new organisation,” a statement from the U.A.E said.

The support included a grant of $136 million over six years and the covering of all operational costs “in perpetuity”. The Abu Dhabi Fund for Development also created an endowment of up to $50 million annually for developing world energy projects.

The U.A.E. bid attracted international support from United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki Moon, Tony Blair and chair of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, Dr. Rajendra K Pachauri.

The new IRENA grew looks set to represent from 75 to 130 member states and will act as the global voice for renewable energy on regulatory and capacity issues.