The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) on January 13 launched the world's first atlas on clean energy which will offer open-access information on countries' renewable energy potential.

"The Global Atlas is the largest ever initiative to help countries assess their renewable energy potential, and companies bringing together data and maps from leading technical institutes and private companies worldwide," IRENA said.

"It currently charts solar and wind resources, and will expand to other forms of renewable energy over 2013 and 2014," the agency announced as it began its two-day annual general assembly in Abu Dhabi.

The online atlas is available on www.irena.org/ GlobalAtlas IRENA said the atlas will also help companies looking to invest in new markets.

"Over the next decade, we expect an enormous increase in investment in the field of renewable energy. Global Atlas will help us make the right decisions," said Danish Climate and Energy Minister Martin Lidegaard, who chaired a session at the gathering.

IRENA director Adnan Amin said that by 2014 the atlas will include information on bio-energy, geothermal energy and marine energy.