WMO Issues New Global Guidance to Map Renewable Energy Potential by 2030

The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has released new technical guidance designed to help countries identify and map their renewable energy resources, providing a major boost to global efforts to accelerate the clean energy transition.

The guidance offers a comprehensive, science-based framework for National Meteorological and Hydrological Services (NMHSs) to develop National Renewable Energy Atlases (NRAs) for wind, solar and hydropower in partnership with energy ministries, investors and other stakeholders.

WMO says the initiative is aimed at closing a critical data gap that has held back effective renewable energy planning in many parts of the world.

Addressing a Global Data Shortfall

The new document — National Renewable Energy Atlases (NRAs) for Wind, Solar and Hydropower: WMO Implementation Guidelines — was developed after a 2022–2023 global WMO energy survey found that many countries lack the high-resolution climate and weather data needed for long-term energy investment decisions.

Without detailed mapping of renewable potential, governments often struggle to plan infrastructure, attract investment or ensure energy security.

"This guidance integrates reanalysis data, ground-based observations, satellite products, and future climate projections," wrote WMO Secretary-General Celeste Saulo.

"It then applies advanced data-driven approaches – such as AI-based statistical downscaling – to convert these diverse climate datasets into decision-ready actions."

Science Turned Into Decision-Ready Energy Planning

WMO says the new guidelines are designed to ensure that meteorological science directly supports energy policy and investment.

The goal is to help countries translate complex climate datasets into actionable planning tools that can guide:

• National energy strategies

• Grid expansion and infrastructure placement

• Renewable investment decisions

• Climate resilience in energy systems

"The guidelines are about ensuring that science translates into improved long-term energy planning," Saulo said.

High-Resolution Mapping at 4km or Less

A central innovation of the initiative is its focus on high spatial resolution mapping — at 4 km or less — enabling far more accurate assessment of renewable resources at local and regional scales.

This level of detail is critical because wind, solar and hydropower potential can vary significantly even across short distances.

With this resolution, governments and private developers can pinpoint the most effective sites for:

• Wind farms

• Solar parks

• Hydropower systems

• Hybrid renewable projects

Practical Framework for National Renewable Atlases

The guidelines provide a structured roadmap for countries, covering:

• Data acquisition and preprocessing

• Statistical downscaling techniques

• Integration of local observational datasets

• Use of future climate projections (CMIP6)

• Interpretation of atlas outputs for policy and investment planning

WMO is also making open-access Python code and training materials available, enabling countries to independently maintain, update and improve their atlases over time.

This is expected to help close the capacity gap between nations with advanced modelling systems and those still developing basic renewable planning tools.

Collaborative Model Between Weather and Energy Agencies

The Renewable Energy Atlas initiative is built on a co-production approach, encouraging close collaboration between:

• Meteorological and hydrological services

• Ministries of energy

• National planners and regulators

• Private sector investors

• Local stakeholders

The goal is to ensure atlases are not only scientifically rigorous, but also usable and relevant for decision-makers.

Target: Renewable Energy Atlases for All Countries by 2030

WMO has set an ambitious objective: equipping all Member States with high-resolution national renewable energy atlases by 2030.

The guidelines directly support international climate and energy targets, including:

• Tripling global renewable energy capacity by 2030

• Doubling energy efficiency improvements by 2030

• Achieving Sustainable Development Goal 7: affordable, reliable and modern energy for all

Already Piloted in Multiple Countries

The methodology has already been successfully tested in several nations, including:

• Croatia

• Cuba

• Chile

• Malawi

• United Republic of Tanzania

• Costa Rica

These pilots demonstrate the feasibility of applying meteorological science, AI-driven downscaling and climate projections to renewable planning across diverse regions and energy systems.

Bridging Climate Science and the Energy Transition

By transforming weather and climate data into decision-ready national atlases, WMO says the initiative will help countries secure energy supplies, reduce emissions and accelerate renewable deployment in a rapidly changing climate.

As demand for clean energy investment surges worldwide, WMO's guidance provides a critical foundation for smarter, more resilient and more equitable energy planning.