All News & Announcements
Risk-Pooling Initiative Strives to Unlock Commercial Investment in African Mini-Grids
Green Aggregation Tech Enterprise aims to prepare off-grid energy financing for a self-sustaining future in Africa that involves all types of funding, including commercial lending.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/risk-pooling-initiative-strives-unlock-commercial-investment-african-mini-grids
Leading investors “strongly encourage” donors to provide more effective support for mini-grids in Africa
Diverse group of investors with over $2.0 billion under management say well-designed Results-Based Financing (RBF) for mini-grids will accelerate access to electricity for 600 million people in Africa, and unlock significant private capital.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/leading-investors-strongly-encourage-donors-provide-more-effective-support-mini-grids-africa
Investor Position Paper: Unlocking Private Capital for Mini-Grids in Africa
For mini-grids to attract private investment, they require consistent, reliable, and rapidly deployable Results-Based Financing (RBF) programs. This paper was prepared by the signatory investors to present a unified message of support for these RBF programs to donors.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/investor-position-paper-unlocking-private-capital-mini-grids-africa
Mini-grids: catalyzing investment with results-based finance (RBF)
Less than 15% of $1.7 billion of investment in off-grid energy between 2010-2018 went to mini-grids. Yet $10-25 billion is needed annually to bring electricity to 450 million people by 2030 via renewable energy mini-grids. Investors believe the missing catalyst to unlock private capital is results-based finance (RBF).
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/mini-grids-catalyzing-investment-results-based-finance-rbf
African development leader Dr. Kandeh Yumkella joins Power for All board of directors
Former head of UNIDO, SEforALL a recognized international expert on sustainable energy and agriculture
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/african-development-leader-dr-kandeh-yumkella-joins-power-all-board-of-directors
Infographic: 3 Keys to Integrated Energy
Building the utility of the future requires three immediate actions: mandating national integrated energy planning, establishing policies and regulations that provide certainty, and creating a level playing field.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/infographic-3-keys-integrated-energy
Campaign Update: May 2019
A series of policy briefs were released recently by UNDESA at a High-Level Dialogue on the Implementation of the United Nations Decade of Sustainable Energy for All 2014-2019: A Mid-Point Review. Power for All’s CEO Kristina Skierka joined a panel to discuss the interlinkages between SDG7 and other other SDGs under review this year (SDG 4, SDG 8, SDG 10, SDG 13, SDG 16 and SDG 17). Power for All collaborated closely with IRENA and ILO to develop a policy brief on energy and jobs (one of 16 policy briefs related to SDG7), which were released at the event.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-may-2019
Reimagining utilities as a way to end energy poverty
If the world is to provide electricity to all by 2030, utilities and off-grid renewable energy providers must join forces
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/opinion-reimagining-utilities-way-end-energy-poverty
Amid renewed DISCOM woes, new data points to mini-grids for last-mile electrification in India
Should another ongoing cycle of utility bailout-bust and the election see a revival of India’s stalled mini-grid policy?
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/amid-renewed-discom-woes-new-data-points-mini-grids-last-mile-electrification-india
News Release: Utilities 2.0 coalition unveils vision for utility of the future in low energy access countries; announces 1st demonstration
Power for All, Umeme Ltd., The Rockefeller Foundation and a coalition of decentralized renewable energy companies target win-win-win business models that accelerate electricity access, while benefiting utilities, the private sector and energy-poor consumers.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/coalition-unveils-vision-utility-of-future-low-energy-access-countries-announces-first-demonstration
Graphic: DRE Equation
1+ billion people should not have to wait for energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/graphic-dre-equation
Transforming rural electrification with remote monitoring
The remoteness and complexity of off-grid energy systems can pose substantial operational challenges. Implementing remote monitoring and management offers concrete cost reduction and reliability. IoT can enable electrification across rural regions with smart, renewable energy to support economic development.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/transforming-rural-electrification-remote-monitoring
Customer Perception in India
More rural customers in India prefer electricity supplied by mini-grids than state grids, while two-fifths of consumption comes from agriculture, according to Smart Power India (SPI).
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/customer-perception-india
Research Summary: Under-the-grid opportunity
Rocky Mountain Institute (RMI) found that under-the-grid areas in Africa offer a multi-billion dollar opportunity for mini-grids and huge savings for state distribution companies.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-under-grid-opportunity
Campaign Update: April 2019
Power for All and a group of leading power companies will be announcing the campaign's latest Call to Action, Utilities 2.0: Integrated Energy for Optimal Impact, at the African Utility Week in Cape Town on May 14-16.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-april-2019
Mini-grids: powering the next green revolution
Our latest video takes a closer look at the potential for decentralized renewables like mini-grids to unlock an explosion of agriculture productivity and jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa and developing Asia.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/powering-next-green-revolution
Harvesting energy means breaking down silos
2 billion smallholder farmers are among the most underserved populations in the world. Better access to clean energy has the ability to transform agriculture and speed econonic development, says Factor[e], but financial, operational, technical, and policy barriers need to be overcome.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/harvesting-energy-means-breaking-down-silos
MESSAGING GUIDE: MINI-GRIDS
Based on input from a diverse set of sources including the Mini-Grids Partnership (MGP) steering committee and the Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA), this guide is a reference tool to help various stakeholders understand the importance of the global mini-grid sector. With this guide, sector stakeholders, including businesses, funders, government and civil society, should be able to easily discuss mini-grids at a high level or in-depth, using clearly sourced evidence.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/messaging-guide-mini-grids
Mini-grids: "outside-in" electrification
Our latest video looks at how micro-grids have successfully helped countries bring electricity to their farmers and rural industries. Examples include the United States, Cambodia, and most recently Nigeria.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/outside-electrification
Beyond access: elevating the DRE narrative
The decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector is entering a new phase, one that goes “beyond access” and instead focuses on co-benefits, dividends, outcomes, improved livelihoods, productive uses -- whatever term you prefer -- that both satisfy consumer aspirations, but also power rural economies.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/beyond-access-evolving-dre-narrative
Fact Sheet: DRE-SDG nexus in Nigeria
Decentralized renewable energy can have a major impact on SDGs in Nigeria, when looking at education, business productivity or emissions. Nearly 2/3 of medium- and small-enterprise in off-grid and weak grid areas can reap the rewards of DRE.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-nigeria-dre-sdg-nexus
Fact Sheet: DRE for children
The value of decentralized renewable energy has never been greater in helping to make lives better for children: half a million premature deaths occur for children under 5 due to inadequate energy; 65% of sub-Saharan African primary schools are without power.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-dre-children
Energy access means jobs in Zambia: new data
Governments and donors in sub-Saharan Africa that adopt coordinated approaches to electrifying rural communities using distributed renewables can count on meaningful job creation, according to recent data from REEEP in Zambia.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/energy-access-means-jobs-zambia-new-data
NGO partners join hands in 25x25 collaborative to accelerate market transformation
Four organizations committed to accelerating universal electricity access – Hivos/ENERGIA, Power for All, Practical Action, and SNV Netherlands Development Organisation – recognize that the level of ambition and urgency for achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 is far from what's needed to deliver modern, affordable, sustainable and reliable energy for all before 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/campaigns/ngo-partners-join-hands-25x25-collaborative-accelerate-market-transformation
Diesel is dying in rural economies: data
Long the only choice for off-grid, under-the-grid and back-up power generation in emerging economies, diesel is now on a death watch with the rise of renewable-powered machinery, growing solar adoption by rural enterprises, and business and finance innovation. That means billions of dollars saved and gigatons of emissions avoided.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/diesel-dying-rural-economies-data
In conversation: Thomas Gottschalk, A2EI
This new non-profit from the founders of Mobisol is looking to support standalone solar and mini-grid innovation that will become the "generator killer" and finally get rid of diesel. What are the applications that will play the biggest role and where?
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-thomas-gottschalk-ae2i
Fact Sheet: Energy subsidy in India
Diesel is not the only fossil fuel being displaced by decentralized renewables. Kerosene is also fading. Yet governments continue to prop up dirty sources of energy despite clear benefits of switching. In India, data from IISD show that decentralized renewables made up only 1.2% of renewable energy subsidies and 0.12% of total energy subsidies, amounting to just US$27.6 million in 2017.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-energy-subsidy-india
Campaign Update: February 2019
Power for All updated its website last year with the goal of improving our ability to spotlight more of the great stories coming out of the decentralized renewables sector. With that in mind, we are actively seeking to co-create content with you.
https://www.powerforall.org/campaigns/campaign-update-february-2019
Research Summary: Mini-grids in Ethiopia
In the fifth of our mini-grid market assessment series, we highlight the US$639 million opportunity in Ethiopia as quantified by the African Development Bank's Green Mini-Grid Market Development Program. 16.2% of the 100 million population are best served by mini-grids.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-mini-grids-ethiopia
Transitioning energy, creating green jobs in Myanmar
Mee Panyar is helping villages in rural Myanmar transition from diesel to solar power through training programs to support electricians operating mini-grids. This decreases household electricity prices by up to 50%, reduces carbon emissions by 60%, and creates opportunity for productive uses.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/transitioning-energy-creating-green-jobs-myanmar
Wanted: #1000solutions... Apply Now
The Solar Impulse Foundation, started by Dr. Bertrand Piccard following his successful round-the-world solar flight, has launched the #1000solutions challenge: to select, label and promote 1000 clean, efficient and profitable solutions to fight climate change.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/wanted-1000solutions
40% of rural consumers dissatisfied with state grid: India report
Despite huge progress toward 100% electrification in India, a new study finds the reality quite different, with a huge need to focus on customer satisfaction
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/40-of-rural-consumers-dissatisfied-state-grid-india-report
Universal Rural Electrification in India? Not So Fast
Despite progress, India’s rural electrification problem remains far from resolved. There are likely tens of millions of people without electric light at home, and some of the gains so far could be reversed when the harsh reality of irregular and unpredictable electric billing hits India’s rural poor.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/universal-rural-electrification-india-not-so-fast
Top trends for energy access in 2019
Power for All gathers together various predictions and trends that we see unfolding for electricity access and the distributed renewable energy sector in 2019.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/top-trends-energy-access-2019
Research Summary: DRC Mini-Grid Market
Home to 80 million people, the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is the largest and fourth most populated country in Africa, but also the least electrified. SEforALL Africa hub in conjunction with the African Development Bank published a market assessment as part of the Green Mini-Grid Market Development Programme (GMG MDP) document series. Here we highlight the key messages.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/drc-mini-grid-market
In Conversation: Ben Attia, Wood Mackenzie Analyst
The head of off-grid energy for advisory firm Wood Mackenzie makes his predictions for 2019, including an increased role for strategics, an "identity crisis" for the sector, and perhaps less private capital.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-ben-attia-analyst
Campaign Update: January 2019
Power for All and partners kicked off the Decentralized Renewable Energy Data Network (DREDN), further advanced the Utilities 2.0 pilot in Uganda, hosted #PoweringJobs focus groups in 3 countries.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-january-2019
Acumen: Mind The Pioneer Gap
Despite an increase in investment for distributed renewable energy companies over the past 5 years, most of it went to a handful of companies and 93% say they are still trapped in a "Pioneer Gap" between seed and commercial capital. More patient capital is needed. This is according to a recent report, Accelerating Energy Access: The Role of Patient Capital, from campaign partner Acumen.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/mind-pioneer-gap
Stories Wanted: Let us shine a spotlight on you
Power for All is looking to spotlight the great work our partners are doing through story-telling. It can be visual -- through video, data visualization, or photo essays. It can be personal profiles. Stories about technology or business innovation. Or tales of improved livelihoods and jobs. You name it, we're probably interested.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/stories-wanted-let-us-shine-spotlight-you
2018: Top Energy Access Tweets
Approaching 10,000 followers (with average 300,000 impressions per month), Power for All’s Twitter account is a window into the topics that most interest the distributed renewable energy sector. Twitter measures “Top Tweets” based of engagement and impressions. The themes that generated the biggest response in 2018? Mini-grids, and the jobs opportunity of energy access. Other topics of interest: consumer demand, market development, and data.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/2018-top-energy-access-tweets
2 Keys to Scaling Energy Access
Distributed renewables play an increasingly important role in promoting energy access, already accounting for 6 gigawatts of capacity in the developing world, with an expectation of providing over 60% of new electricity connections in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030. New analysis in Escaping the Energy Poverty Trap shows that national governments need two things to succeed in creating markets for distributed renewables: 1) institutional capacity and 2) local accountability mechanisms.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/2-keys-scaling-energy-access
Mini-grids boost women entrepreneurship; up to 11x income rise
A new study in Ghana by Power Africa and Energicity, the parent company of solar mini-grid developer Black Star Energy (BSE), has revealed significant impact of electricity access on women-owned businesses and incomes, including helping them move from extreme poverty to near middle class status, while allowing them to stay in their rural communities.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/mini-grids-boost-women-entrepreneurship-11x-income-rise
Nigeria taskforce ends initial phase, reviews accomplishments and future goals
Nigeria’s Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Taskforce, which aims to accelerate modern electricity access initiatives by tackling the most pressing industry challenges, met on November 12, 2018 to review the success of the taskforce since its creation in February 2018.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigeria-taskforce-ends-initial-phase-reviews-accomplishments-and-future-goals
Mini-Grids: Myanmar’s Next Decentralized Technology Revolution
Decentralized electricity generation systems such as mini-grids avoid the high cost of bringing electricity long distances by constructing small-scale power plants right next to the point of consumption.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/mini-grids-myanmars-next-decentralized-technology-revolution
Campaign Update: November 2018
Power for All is hiring for several openings, including operations, development, grant management and country-level coordinators. We also successfully launched the #PoweringJobs campaign, and continued to advance the sector forward in Nigeria.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-november-2018
New analysis indicates grid extension poor fit for rural poor
Should private off-grid solar companies continue to expand their user base? Or is the grid better suited for poor, rural consumers? [Spoiler Alert: Yes and No]
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/new-analysis-indicates-grid-extension-poor-fit-rural-poor
Infographic: Help Wanted
10.3 million renewable energy jobs exist globally. Yet just 76,000 are in Africa, where they are most urgently needed.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/infographic-help-wanted
Middle-Income Countries Big Winner from Off-Grid Energy. Who’s Next?
As demonstrated in by new data from IRENA, off-grid renewable electricity has grown tremendously across the world over the last decade, but growth was very uneven. Why was off-grid successful in some places and not others?
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/middle-income-countries-big-winner-grid-energy-whos-next
Six Nuclear Reactors Worth of Off-Grid Renewable Energy Deployed in Last 10 Years—But Sub-Saharan Africa Lagging
The deployment of off-grid electricity is one important pathway toward reducing energy poverty. Off-grid technology can meet basic needs at an increasingly affordable cost and, when powered by renewable sources, in a clean manner. Yet until recently, we knew little about the current state of affairs: how much capacity do off-grid systems currently provide? And where?
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/six-nuclear-reactors-worth-of-grid-renewable-energy-deployed-last-10-years-sub-saharan-africa-lagging
Electrifying Africa’s Labor Market
With more than 600 million people lacking access to electricity in Sub-Saharan Africa, off-grid renewable energy has the potential to transform economies and lift millions out of poverty. But green power can do something else, too: it can help solve the continent’s mounting unemployment crisis. A perspective by Mugo Kibati of M-KOPA and Gilles Vermot Desroches of Schneider Electric.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/electrifying-africas-labor-market
Forging Better Lives with Solar in India
Blacksmiths and other craftsmen in rural India—with the help of distributed solar power, local financing yet minimal innovation—are creating a path to better livelihoods with the support of SELCO Foundation.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/forging-better-lives-solar-india
Women #PoweringJobs in Senegal
Over 100 years ago, women pushed for the right to vote. Today, they are pushing for the right to energy. Nowhere is this more important than in West Africa, where 100 million women and girls live in energy poverty.
https://www.powerforall.org/campaigns/women-poweringjobs-senegal
CNBC Africa: "How renewables could help solve Africa’s job crisis"
CNBC Africa highlights the #PoweringJobs campaign, spotlighting that distributed renewable energy solutions like home solar and green mini-grids can help solve Africa's job crisis.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/how-renewables-could-help-solve-africas-job-crisis
Nigeria Taskforce Seeks New Ways to Confront Energy Access Challenges
Five key barriers are preventing the scaling of off-grid renewable solutions in Nigeria: 1. tariffs and duties, 2. consumer awareness, 3. collaborative data sharing, 4. end-user payments and 5. standardization and certification.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigerias-energy-taskforce-seeks-new-ways-confront-industry-challenges
Fact Sheet: Jobs and Decentralized Renewable Energy
Globally, the off-grid renewable energy industry is expected to create at least 4.5 million direct jobs by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-jobs-and-decentralized-renewable-energy
#PoweringJobs Campaign Overview
#PoweringJobs is a global campaign to ensure the required energy access workforce exists, and has the necessary skills to achieve sustainable energy for all. Women and youth are a core focus of this advocacy campaign.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/poweringjobs-campaign-overview
#PoweringJobs Launched to Build Energy Access Workforce
Global campaign to create employment-ready workforce to scale distributed renewable energy solutions in emerging economies in Asia and Africa; women and youth are key focus for millions of expected jobs.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/poweringjobs-launched-build-energy-access-workforce
What we mean by “productive use”—and why it matters.
Productive use is one of the hottest buzzwords in the world of energy access today, increasingly used by development banks, industry leaders, and civil society organizations (among others!) as the work to deliver energy to 1 billion people evolves beyond just lighting. But what does “productive use” of energy actually mean?
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/what-we-mean-productive-use-and-why-it-matters
Fact Sheet: Global Off-Grid Appliance Market
Off-grid appliances are appliances that can operate in resource-constrained settings, or that are designed to operate in off-grid energy systems such as low-voltage DC solar home systems or on AC/DC mini-grids. In this joint CLASP, Energy for Access Coalition and Power for All synthesis, we draw on three new reports to provide the most up-to-date data on off-grid appliances – their demand, markets, impacts and consumer behavior.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-global-grid-appliance-market
An Introduction to the Platform for Energy Access Knowledge (PEAK)
PEAK is a an interactive platform designed to help aggregate and repackage the best research and information into compelling data-driven stories for the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/introduction-platform-energy-access-knowledge-peak
In Conversation With Abhishek Jain, CEEW
A new report by India's leading energy access research organization looks at how to boost rural incomes through innovation in distributed clean energy, and the $50 billion opportunity for new livelihood appliances.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-abhishek-jain-ceew
Campaign Update: October 2018
Power for All and its partners are firing on all cylinders, kicking off exciting Utilities 2.0 work in Uganda, pushing a "25x25" market activation concept forward at IOREC and ECOWAS, launching an energy access jobs campaign, and moving the needle in Nigeria. And did you miss PEAK’s webinar? So much to catch up on.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/october-2018-campaign-updates
SDG7: is a “great convergence” coming?
SDG7 — affordable, modern, reliable, sustainable energy for all — has two parts: providing access to electricity (for 1 billion people) and clean cooking (for 3 billion). But the two have always been on parallel tracks. It's time for them to come together
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/sdg7-great-convergence-coming
In Conversation with Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki
A team at the India Institute of Technology (IIT) in Mumbai has pioneered a new solar electric cookstove for India. Can it bring the two sides of SDG7—clean cooking and electricity access—together? Power for All spoke with team leader, Dr. Chetan Singh Solanki, about a village pilot under way, and the potential to scale.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/conversation-dr-chetan-singh-solanki-professor-of-technology-science-and-engineering-technology-institute-mumbai
Campaign Update: September 2018
Nigeria’s Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Task Force which was set up under the Scaling Off Grid Energy (SOGE) project of the USAID and Power Africa and implemented by Power for All met on September 18th to discuss actionable steps that will accelerate the sector.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update
Research Summary: Mini-Grid Bankability
The Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund has financed 43 mini-grid projects in Africa, and recently published a report explaining that infrastructure financing and regulatory environments are the main ‘make-or-break’ contributors to mini-grid bankability.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-mini-grid-bankability
Research Summary: A mini-grid market opportunity assessment of Burkina Faso
The African Development Bank has developed Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessments for a number of Sub-Saharan African countries. In this second summary, we highlight the potential of mini-grids in Burkina Faso
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-mini-grid-market-opportunity-assessment-of-burkina-faso
Video: Solar Electric Cooking
With batteries and solar mini-grids or rooftop PV, induction stoves could offer a one-stop solution for both electricity access and clean cooking. See some examples of what's being tried and learned in Africa
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-solar-electric-cooking
Webinar Series: Tutorial for using the Platform for Energy Access Knowledge (PEAK)
Power for All launched the Platform for Energy Access Knowledge (PEAK), a new interactive knowledge platform designed to curate, organize, synthesize and transform large, growing bodies of decentralized renewable energy data into “digestible,” shareable and useable information.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/platform-energy-access-knowledge-peak-webinars
The bankability of mini-grid business models is improving but regulation remains the biggest challenge.
Energy and Environment Partnership Trust Fund (EEP Africa) has financed 43 minigrid projects in 10 countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. Their recently published report Opportunities and Challenges in the Mini-grid Sector in Africa draws lessons from the EEP Africa portfolio and explains that infrastructure financing and regulatory environments are the main ‘make-or-break’ contributors to mini-grid bankability.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/bankability-of-mini-grid-business-models-improving-regulation-remains-biggest-challenge
4 keys to unlock cheap micro-grid finance
To improve lender confidence and increase project financial attractiveness, micro-grid developers should reduce the risks of non-steady cash flows through four short-term actionable strategies
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/economics/4-keys-unlock-cheap-micro-grid-finance
4th IOREC Coming to Singapore
This year, the 4th International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC), organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), will be the global platform dedicated for sharing experience and best practices about design and implementation of enabling policies, tailored financing schemes, innovative business models and technology applications for stand-alone and mini-grid systems. The 4th edition of IOREC will be held in Singapore on 31 October - 1 November 2018, during the Singapore International Energy Week (SIEW), 2018 as part of Asia Clean Energy Summit – Conference and Exhibition. With over half a billion people in Asia are still without access to electricity, the synergy with the ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting, chaired by Singapore in 2018, and with the Asia Clean Energy Summit, will greatly help highlight the role decentralised renewable energy solutions can play in electrification strategies in the region and beyond, as well as the role of off-grid renewable energy in achieving several of the Sustainable Development Goals. The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) will organise an Exhibition in parallel with the Conference. The Exhibition is meant to give the private sector the opportunity to present its products & projects and showcase the technologies & know-how at the forefront of off-grid renewables.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/4th-iorec-coming-singapore
Mini-Grids: Key to Ending Energy Poverty
Private utilities called mini-grids have the potential to bring access to electricity to 450 million people by 2030, helping to end energy poverty while also laying the foundation for rural economic growth in Sub-Saharan Africa and many others regions and countries.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/mini-grids-key-ending-energy-poverty
A mini-grid market opportunity assessment of Cameroon
SEforAll Africa hub in conjunction with the African Development Bank recently published a Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment of Cameroon as part of the Green Mini-Grid Market Development Programme (GMG MDP) document series.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/mini-grid-market-opportunity-assessment-of-cameroon
Electricity access must be climate resilient
Given the speed and scale with which climate impacts are being felt around the globe, emerging economies—or any economy for that matter—no longer have the luxury of planning for their energy systems as though climate change doesn’t matter and won’t impact it in fundamental ways.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/electricity-access-must-be-climate-resilient
Campaign Update: August 2018
With the support of the Rockefeller Foundation, Power for All organized an intimate gathering of energy access leaders in July. At the event were representatives of African, Asian and European utilities and government agencies (energy ministries, rural electrification agencies, etc), private sector companies engaged in residential solar and mini-grids, and funders and researchers, all keen to begin a discussion on the future of power utilities in low energy access countries, and to explore ways to pilot new models of electricity services that integrate centralized and decentralized solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-august-2018
Fact Sheet: Decentralized Renewables – Supporting Climate Resilience and Adaptation
DRE can help communities to adapt to a fast changing global climate and become more resilient in the face of such disasters. Brazil and Zambia--both countries that rely heavily on large hydropower--experienced constraints on electricity supply due to severe droughts in 2015. The problem is not restricted to hydropower since thermal-electric power plants also consume large amounts of water for generation.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/decentralized-renewables-supporting-climate-resilience-and-adaptation
A mini-grid market opportunity assessment of Cameroon
SEforAll Africa hub in conjunction with the African Development Bank recently published a Mini-Grid Market Opportunity Assessment of Cameroon as part of the Green Mini-Grid Market Development Programme (GMG MDP) document series.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/mini-grid-market-opportunity-assessment-of-cameroon
S-@ccess International Conference on Solar Technologies & Hybrid Mini Grids to improve energy access
The main objective of the conference is to provide an opportunity for an exchange between practitioners from the industry, academia and development institutions working in the field of decentralized energy. The conference will cover technical, business and management aspects of solar technologies and mini grids with the aim of sharing experiences, learning from each other and networking. The challenge of energy access for all is of enormous magnitude and only be achievable, if a smart mix of different existing and innovative technologies and approaches is applied according to the needs and the economic potential of the people. In the last years, a multitude of organizations and companies has gained value experiences with the dissemination of solar lanterns, plug-and-play systems and solar home systems either in form of cash sales or Pay-as-you-go approaches. Several international organizations have also tried to scale up installation of solar and hydro mini-grids in rural areas with differing degrees of success. Other organizations focused on solar thermal systems or the development of energy efficient equipment allowing the productive use of DC electricity. The Conference will provide a forum where experts from different disciplines can discuss how universal energy access can be achieved in the most efficient way. The conference will invite acknowledged experts to provide an overview about the status in different technology areas and give room to participants, which want to present their results from scientific research or experiences from the fieldwork.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/s-ccess
Campaign Update: July 2018
Power for All wrapped up its DRE101 trainings under the Scaling Off-Grid Energy (SOGE) project with two trainings in the Nigerian cities of Kano and Ibadan. The workshops were targeted at policymakers from the North-West and South-West states respectively.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates-july-2018
In Conversation with Dana Rysankova, World Bank
She provides strategic and operational guidance to the World Bank’s Energy and Extractives Global Practice to scale-up the bank’s energy access interventions. In addition to this role, Dana is coordinating energy access activities at the World Bank’s Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP), where among other things she is the Program Manager for Lighting Global. Dana also leads a global initiative for applying the Multi-Tier Framework for tracking energy access in the context of the Sustainable Energy for All and SDG7 goals.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-dana-rysankova-world-bank
Fact Sheet Booklet: Powering the SDGs
Fact Sheet Booklet: Powering the SDGs Generated by PEAK, a new booklet brings together the clearest data points on the Energy Access Dividend, looking at the direct relationship between decentralized energy access and some of the most critical SDGs.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/factsheet-booklet-powering-sdgs
Fact Sheet: Mini-Grids in India: Mini-Grid Finance and Business Models
India has seen rising investment in mini-grids, which can help accelerate India’s universal energy access goals. In our second fact sheet on India mini-grids, we explore the different business models being deployed in India, with their successes and challenges.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-india-mini-grids
Video: Data Miniseries
Our data miniseries looks at the importance of good data, how to unlock it, and how it can be used to effectively make major decisions and benefit big causes.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-data-mini-series
Turning Data Into Insight
According to the UN, the “deployment of decentralized renewable energy is fueling a disruptive transformation of the energy sector”, by providing a fast, cost-effective and sustainable approach to universal energy access. Yet we at Power for All, our partners and stakeholders agree that many actors with the influence to accelerate decentralized renewable energy (DRE) growth.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/turning-data-insight
Power for All Helps Accelerate Rates of Electrification to End Energy Poverty in South West Nigeria
Power for All, a global advocacy campaign for distributed renewable energy (DRE) is helping policymakers, faith-based institutions, civil society organizations and trade associations in the South West region to use renewable energy solutions to accelerate the rate of electrification and end energy poverty in the region.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-power-all-helps-accelerate-rates-of-electrification-end-energy-poverty-southwest-nigeria
Nigeria Energy Access Taskforce Sets New Targets
Nigeria’s Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Taskforce, which was launched in February to accelerate modern electricity access initiatives, met July 17, 2018, to review its success since its last meeting and set new milestones to be reached in order to grow the sector.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigeria-energy-access-taskforce-sets-new-targets
Nigerian States Commit to Increasing Electrification Using Decentralized Renewables
The North-West region is Nigeria’s second largest geopolitical zone, made up of 7 states which cover 216,065km2 and an estimated population of 45 million people, but yet its least electrified region with only 14.6 million people having access to electricity with the bulk of the un-electrified in rural communities.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigerian-states-commit-increasing-electrification-using-decentralized-renewables
The New Activists
Different campaigns across geographies are uniting to support a renewable energy future, says May Boeve of 350.org
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-activists
The Kenya Clean Energy Cycling Caravan
The Tour de France might still be one week away, but in Kenya young people are currently cycling across the country to connect with people who do not have access to energy. During the trip the cyclists are meeting with local communities and government officials to promote renewable energy as a clean solution to lack of energy access, ahead of the Kenyan elections that are taking place on the 8 August. This is part of the Big Shift campaign supported by the African Coalition for Sustainable Energy and Access (ACSEA), the Pan-African Climate Justice Alliance (PACJA), Kenya Youth Climate Network and Christian Aid.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/kenya-clean-energy-cycling-caravan
Spotlight: Distributed Models for Grid Extension Could Save African Utilities Billions of Dollars
Sub-Saharan Africa utilities run huge deficits. Distributed renewable energy can help them extend service in a more cost-efficient way, say Rebekah Shirley of Power for All and GTM Research’s Ben Attia.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/spotlight-distributed-models-grid-extension-could-save-african-utilities-billions-of-dollars
Research Summary: Electricity Access and Development in Sub-Saharan Africa
The Africa’s Pulse biannual report by The World Bank focuses on electricity access in Sub-Saharan Africa. It looks at recent innovations in access delivery and governance, and how different approaches impact economic development.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-electricity-access-and-development-sub-saharan-africa
In Conversation with... Lisa Jordan
Shine is a newly launched global campaign dedicated to ending energy poverty. Shine’s director Lisa Jordan is working to mobilize foundations, communities of faith and investors that have previously not focused on the more than over 1.1 billion people who lack access to energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-lisa-jordan-shine
Fact Sheet: Mini-Grids In India: Mini-Grid Market Highlights and Policy
As one the world’s leading mini-grid markets, India can scale the role of private rural utilities to help meet domestic and international energy access challenges. In the first of two fact sheets, we look at the current state of the Indian mini-grid sector and the challenges it faces.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-mini-grids-india
Campaign Update: June 2018
During two regional DRE 101 workshop in Kogi and Enugu with high-level state and regional policymakers, the Power for All team received a deluge of requests from other states for similar training. Power for All has been conducting the trainings as part of the Scaling Off-Grid Energy (SOGE) project, but was only funded to do a series of six regions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates
Nigeria’s Abia State Leads on Scaling Off-grid Energy
One of the major objectives of the Scaling Off-Grid Energy project (SOGE), funded by USAID and Power Africa and co-implemented in Nigeria by Power for All and FHI360, is to increase awareness and knowledge among sub-national policymakers of how decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions can accelerate energy access. The main platform for meeting this goal is a 6-part series of regional workshops, called DRE101, with the first two already held in Kogi State, North-Central Nigeria, and Enugu State, South-Eastern Nigeria.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigerias-abia-state-leads-scaling-grid-energy
Policymakers in Nigeria’s South South Region Benefit From Workshop on Decentralized Renewable Energy
CALABAR, June 18th, 2018—Power for All, a global advocacy campaign for distributed renewable energy (DRE), conducted two workshops for policymakers, faith-based institutions, civil society organizations and trade associations in the South-South region of Nigeria on how to use DRE solutions to accelerate the rate of electrification and end energy poverty in the region.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-policymakers-nigerias-south-south-region-benefit-workshop-decentralized-renewable-energy
Research Summary: Poor People's Energy Outlook
Practical Action’s PPEO 2017 focuses on how to finance people-driven energy access solutions. Through case studies from Bangladesh, Kenya and Togo, Practical Action highlights that we already have most of the tools needed to finance a bottom-up renewable revolution.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-poor-peoples-energy-outlook
Research Summary: Nigeria Finance
Recent research by Power for All’s on-the-ground country campaign finds that the Nigerian decentralized renewable energy (DRE) market is large and proven, but the capital required to finance this market remains to be unlocked.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-nigeria-finance
Video: Nigeria Mini-Series
Electrifying all Nigerians has become a priority in this populous West African country, where approximately 75 million still remain in darkness even as the economy surges ahead in other ways. Now, the power sector is focused on getting safe, reliable energy to the entire population.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-nigeria-mini-series
In Conversation with... Habiba Ali
Habiba Ali, the dynamic founder and CEO of Nigeria’s SOSAI Renewable Energies, and vice president of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN), talked to Power for All about scaling mini-grids, what’s still needed to ensure rural electrification targets, and the importance of getting more women leaders into the DRE sector.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-habiba-ali-of-sosai-renewable-energies
Nigeria: The Next Big Frontier for Rural Electricity Access
Igu, a farming village in Nigeria of about 4000 people, has never had electricity, despite being located in Nigeria’s Federal Capital Territory, just an hour’s drive from the seat of Nigeria's Federal Government, Abuja. For villages like Igu, getting access to energy has until now remained a far-fetched dream.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigeria-next-big-frontier-rural-electricity-access
Campaign Update: May 2018
Power for All had a significant presence at the SEforALL Forum. CEO Kristina Skierka joined a high-level panel on “Electricity for All in Sub-Saharan Africa”, and research director Rebekah Shirley guided an interactive working session called the “Energy Access Dividend- Data that Informs and Influences”, looking at how to further research on socio-economic impacts of electricity access, with participation from Acumen, Duke University, RVE.SOL, wPower Hub and the World Health Organization.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates-may-2018
25x25 Overview
This collaboration between Power for All, SNV, Hivos and Practical Action aims to work with 25 countries to stimulate last-mile electrification markets and end energy poverty by 2025, hence "25x25". Many national governments have the political will to address rural electrification, but often lack the resources and capacity.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/25x25-overview
In Conversation with Ilana Cohen, GSMA
The GSMA has been a leader in linking mobile networks and services with energy access, most notably through the introduction of pay-as-you-go (PAYG) solar. Power for All spoke with Ilana Cohen about major emerging trends related to the intersection of connectivity and rural electrification: 1. The significance of smartphones emerging as the next big consumer “appliance” with PAYG solar consumers. 2. The market entrance of international Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) into the energy access sector. 3. What the convergence of these two trends holds in store for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-ilana-cohen-gsma
Nigeria Energy Access Taskforce Confronts Tariff Challenge
Nigeria’s Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Taskforce, which was launched in February to accelerate modern electricity access initiatives, met April 18 to tackle pressing challenges for the DRE sector, including a new tariff on solar panel imports.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/nigeria/nigeria-energy-access-taskforce-confronts-tariff-challenge
Research Summary: Powering Last Mile Connectivity
Nearly four billion people are not connected to the internet today, representing a significant opportunity for both socio-economic development and business. Bridging this digital divide requires affordable and reliable access to electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-powering-last-mile-connectivity
Fact Sheet: Decentralized Renewables: Education
Decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions are helping millions of school children reach their potential. With many students still studying without light or electricity at school and at home, DRE solutions are critical to improving literacy and keeping children in the education system.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-decentralized-renewables-and-education
Campaign Update: April 2018
Power for All worked closely with our partner, the Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA), to help launch the world’s first trade group focused exclusively on the full-range of mini-grid solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-april-2018
In Conversation with... Praveen Kumar
How to educate last mile consumers in India about new technologies? Visit 9,000 villages and engage over 200,000 people.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-praveen-kumar
When Power is Life or Death
The founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, Michael Liebreich, recently launched the Project Bo crowdsourcing campaign, triggered when he saw a tweet last year from Dr Niall Conroy of University College Dublin.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/when-power-life-or-death
Hey Matt Damon, Let’s Talk
Chances are that if you live in a remote part of sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia and don’t have access to electricity, you also don’t have access to clean water. That’s hundreds of millions of people.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/hey-matt-damon-lets-talk
New Markets for Distributed Renewables Opened Up in Nigerian States
For countries with a federal government, policy implementation and change frequently happen at the state level. Nigeria, with 36 states, is no exception. As part of the Scaling Off Grid Energy (SOGE) project, Power for All has kicked off a 6-part workshop series in low energy access states to ensure that decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions are fully baked in to local electrification plans.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/new-markets-distributed-renewables-opened-nigerian-states
Sierra Leone Energy Revolution Picks Up Pace
Innovative financing proposals and local media support for energy access were the outcomes of two workshops held in Sierra Leone to propel the Energy Revolution. At the events, Power for All brought together stakeholders to drive engagement and collaboration in support of the country’s efforts to help families and businesses gain energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/sierra-leone-energy-revolution-picks-pace
2018: Utilities and the Decentralized Pivot
“The Future of Energy”—also known as “The Energy Transition”—has been contemplated, discussed, and written about ad nauseam by nearly every scholar and consulting firm working in or around the power sector today.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/2018-utilities-and-decentralized-pivot
Insider Insight: Rafiki Power
The International Energy Agency has advised that 45 percent of rural electrification—bringing power to over 480 million people—is best achieved via mini-grids. In a recent Power for All survey, we asked mini-grid providers for their insights on the most important steps policy-makers can take to unlock this potential. In the technology category, standards, clear regulation and fast, low-cost licensing and permitting were all pinpointed as key policy actions
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/insider-insight-rafiki-power
Decentralized Renewables Combatting Climate Change
By 2030, replacing kerosene lamps and diesel generators with off-grid distributed renewables could save nearly a gigaton of CO2e each year—equal to the annual emissions of Germany, the world's 4th largest economy. Share this graphic and join our call for a cleaner, healthier future!
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/decentralized-renewables-beat-climate-change
Key to Closing the Energy Access Gap
To meet Sustainable Development Goal 7—clean, affordable, modern energy for all—by 2030 we need a 'revolution' in progress towards the universal energy access target. This infographic, based on data and analysis by the Overseas Development Institute, is a stark illustration of how far we are off track. But decentralized solutions—such as mini-grids and solar home systems—are key to closing the energy access progress gap, and will ensure that 1+ billion people are not left behind.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/close-energy-access-gap
100 Partners to Share
Reaching Power for All will take the Action of Many. And without those who form our campaign—practitioners, advocates, villagers, officials, funders—we can't succeed. To celebrate everyone who is working to achieve energy access, and to mark reaching our 100 partner milestone, we have created a shareable image. We hope you will use it, and join us in demanding that energy access does not have to wait!
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/100-partners-share
Distributed solar is a jobs creation engine
The decentralized renewable industry in emerging markets like Africa and South Asia still lacks comprehensive and up-to-date numbers on total number of jobs created, but IRENA just put out a new report that hints at the huge untapped potential for employment.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/distributed-solar-jobs-creation-engine
India: Global Leader in Electricity Access
Energy access in India is a $48 billion dollar a year opportunity. The country has the most unelectrified people of any country in the world. It is also the biggest single market for distributed renewable energy (DRE) solutions. Below is an infographic that spotlights the momentum and huge untapped potential for DRE in India.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/india-global-leader-electricty-access
Decentralized Renewables: No Target, No Universal Electricity Access
Over the past year, Power for All and its campaign partners have worked to build a case for two things: 1. that achieving universal energy access before 2030 and 2. that governments must lead on creating a policy and regulatory framework for accelerated DRE deployment
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/decentralized-renewables-needs-target-for-access
Utilize Energy Access Opportunity Cost Assesments
This infographic can be used to help initiate calls-to-action to catalyze an energy access superfund
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/energy-access-opportunity-cost-assesments
Video: Solar a Game-Changer for Village Healthcare in India
Tribal and forest communities in remote parts of the country are turning to renewable energy as a catalyst for delivering better healthcare. Two new videos from SELCO Foundation show the huge impact of distributed solar.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-solar-game-changer-village-healthcare-india
Campaign Update: March 2018
Power For All has kicked-off its next phase of work in support of Ethiopia's ground-breaking National Electrification Plan (NEP), which includes integrated energy planning, result-based approaches and incorporating technologies and business models that will help achieve the NEP’s decentralized renewable energy (DRE) access targets of 7.7 million households (35 percent of total households).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-march-2018-power-all
Fact Sheet: Decentralized Renewables: Keeping Families and Communities Healthy
One billion people are served by health clinics lacking electricity, while homes without power turn to dangerous candles or toxic kerosene lamps for lighting. Adopting clean energy technologies reduces the risk of fires and accidents, reduces indoor air pollution and powers life-saving equipment. Health-related development targets will not be met without decentralized renewables.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-sdg7-and-keeping-families-healthy-power-all
Research Summary: Positive Household Benefits of DRE
A new analysis by Acumen, exploring the impact of its distributed renewable energy (DRE) investments in 11 countries, finds that the majority of households served by DRE products are near or below the poverty line, and that such products, on average, show positive impact in all well-being metrics measured. The report finds that decentralized renewables represent an opportunity to leapfrog into clean, reliable, need-based energy services.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-positive-household-benefits-dre-power-all
Spotlight: Women Poised to Lead Nigeria’s Clean Energy Revolution
Recognition of energy access impact on women is growing, and nowhere is this shift more evident than in Sub-Saharan African countries. Women are emerging not just as consumers of a new wave of innovative energy access products and services, but also as leading entrepreneurs and leaders shaping the industry.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/spotlight-women-poised-lead-nigerias-clean-energy-revolution-power-all
Video: Energy and Health Miniseries
Innovative solutions are emerging to address the interdependence between energy and health. See some of the impactful work happening around the world, bringing electricity to the most remote healthcare facilities.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-energy-and-health-mini-series-power-all
Solar Jobs in India Changing Lives
Off-grid solar leader Greenlight Planet directly manages 2,000 sales agents in India, with its distributors employing another 10,000. Here is the story of one woman and the impact of solar on her life.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/solar-jobs-india-changing-lives
Kerosene-replacement Workshops Find Broad Support in Nigeria Regions
ABUJA, Nigeria, March 23, 2018—Power for All, a global advocacy campaign for distributed renewable energy (DRE), has concluded two workshops in the North-Central and South-East regions of Nigeria on phasing out inefficient lighting such as kerosene lamps, and enabling a transition to the use of clean, distributed lighting solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-kerosene-replacement-workshops-find-broad-support-nigeria-regions-power-all
Newly Electrified Villages in India Lag in Quality, Reliability
New research looks at hundreds of villages in India’s most energy-poor states, and finds that recent connections to the grid for remote villages are worse than past rural electrification efforts
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/newly-electrified-villages-india-lag-quality-reliability-researchers
How a Solar Company Is Creating Impact by Involving Women in Rural India
To mark International Women’s Day, Simpa Networks launches a new effort to reach more than 36,000 female customers per year, and train more than 5,000 women-village level entrepreneurs to deliver solar electricity
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/how-solar-company-creating-impact-involving-women-rural-india
Campaign Update: February 2018
A partnership between Power Africa, the US Global Development Lab, USAID Nigeria, FHI360 and Power for All launched a decentralized renewable energy (DRE) taskforce in Nigeria to accelerate modern electricity access initiatives. DRE solutions are an important tool for Nigeria to better exploit the full range of its renewable energy resources, especially with delivering energy to remote communities. The partnership was formed under the Scaling Off Grid Energy (SOGE) Grand Challenge for Development, which aims to accelerate growth of DRE solutions and provide 20 million households in sub-Saharan Africa with access to modern, clean and affordable electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates-february-2018-power-all
Fact Sheet: Decentralized Renewables: Supporting Sanitation and Access to Clean Water
Clean, distributed energy is proving a powerful tool for delivering water for drinking and agriculture, and can also help bring sanitation to the billions living without a toilet. As we approach World Water Day on March 22, take a look at why energy and water access are intimately linked.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-sdg7-and-powering-clean-water-and-sanitation-power-all
In conversation with Damilola Ogunbiyi, Nigeria Rural Electrification Agency – Power for All
Damilola Ogunbiyi, the managing director of the Nigerian Rural Electrification Agency (REA), is responsible for implementing the Nigerian Off Grid Electrification Program and the Nigerian Electrification Project, a $350 million World Bank facility to rapidly increase the deployment of solar mini grids and solar home systems to bring electricity to the country's 80 million people still living without access to power. She is also responsible for the Energizing Education Program, an effort by the Federal Government of Nigeria (FGN) to provide uninterrupted electricity to students at 37 federal universities and seven university teaching hospitals through off-grid captive power plants.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-damilola-ogunbiyi-nigeria-rural-electrification-agency-power-all
Research Summary: Electricity Subsidies Failing Low-Income Households
Subsidies are a common way to support electricity access to poor households. Yet data from the World Bank shows that subsidies are largely failing to help the under-served. In fact, only 10% of electricity subsidies in Sub-Saharan Africa flow to households with the lowest income, while subsidizing residential tariffs accounts for the single largest source of utility deficits.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-electricity-subsidies-failing-low-income-households-power-all
Video: Water-energy Access Series
The ability for distributed solar to deliver clean drinking water and rural sanitation to remote communities is gaining traction, as this video series clearly illustrates.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-water-energy-access-series-power-all
Research Summary: Making Sub-Saharan African Utilities Financially Viable
A 2017 World Bank report, Making Power Affordable for Africa and Viable for Its Utilities, analyzes the financial viability of utilities in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) using utility revenue and operations cost records. The report finds many SSA utilities face huge deficits, and will require a combination of increasing operational efficiency, raising tariffs, and optimizing their generation mix to achieve financial viability.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-making-sub-saharan-african-utilities-financially-viable
Utilities 2.0: Integrated Energy for Optimal Impact
Utilities 2.0: Integrated Energy for Optimal Impact examines the opportunities, challenges and best practices of creating the utility of the future in Sub-Saharan Africa and developing economies in Asia.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/reports/utilities-20-integrated-energy-optimal-impact
Kickoff of DRE Task Force
ABUJA, February 15, 2018—A Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) Taskforce to accelerate modern energy access initiatives was launched today by a coalition of partners.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-kickoff-dre-task-force-power-all
Rural Electricity Consumers in India Prefer Locally-Owned Grids
Arianna Tozzi recently visited Karnataka state to gauge consumer attitudes toward centralized grid extension vs. locally-owned and managed mini-grids. The favored option: mini-grids.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/rural-electricity-consumers-india-prefer-locally-owned-grids-isep-researcher
India Failing to Support Distributed Renewables for Energy Access
IISD’s Global Subsidies Initiative (GSI) finds in a new analysis that government support for clean, decentralized energy access solutions is woefully lacking — less then 1% — compared to fossil fuel, centralized options
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-failing-support-distributed-renewables-energy-access-report
Campaign Update: 2018 Plans
2018 is a pivotal year, with a high-level global spotlight on SDG7 and universal energy access. Power for All will be redoubling its efforts to advocate on behalf of the DRE sector and catalyze markets, while also going deeper on a few key themes: integrated energy (with a focus on the future role of utilities, including mini-grids), the SDG7 nexus with other development goals, skills and jobs, and knowledge sharing.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates-2018-plans-power-all
Fact Sheet: Improve Safety for Vulnerable Communities
From the aftermath of hurricanes in Haiti and Puerto Rico, to flooding in India and the communities fleeing conflict in Syria and Myanmar, decentralized renewables are increasingly proving themselves as a powerful way to help vulnerable communities, including the 60 million refugees worldwide, gain access to electricity and related services.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-sdg7-and-vulnerable-communities-power-all
In conversation with Andrew Herscowitz, Power Africa – Power for All
During the recent Global Off-Grid Solar Forum, we sat down with Andrew Herscowitz, Coordinator of the U.S. Agency for International Development’s Power Africa, to discuss the future of the initiative’s pioneering market-based effort to scale energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa. Power Africa turns 5 years old in June.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-andrew-herscowitz-power-africa-power-all
Research Summary: Sad State of Support for Distributed Energy in India
Power for All partner IISD produces exceptional analysis focused on energy subsidies worldwide through its Global Subsidies Initiative. New data reveals that India’s government is giving short shrift to decentralized renewables when handing out energy subsidies. In fact, less than 1% of all subsidies go to distributed renewables, IISD discovered in a new report, India's Energy Transition: Mapping energy subsidies to fossil fuels and clean energy in India.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-sad-state-support-distributed-energy-india-power-all
Spotlight: massive "under-the-grid" opportunity for distributed energy – Power for All
In our ongoing series with GTM Research on energy access, GTMR's Ben Attia and our PEAK research team uncover the untapped opportunity for decentralized solutions to serve "under-the-grid" communities, which total 110 million people, or one in every six African people without electricity access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/spotlight-massive-under-grid-opportunity-distributed-energy-power-all
Top trends for energy access in 2018
Power for All’s Willie Brent attended the recent GOGLA Global Off-Grid Solar Forum, to hear the latest on the distributed solar revolution. Besides a new report that said the sector has already impacted 360 million lives and would reach $8 billion in revenue by 2022, here are some other takeaways.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/top-trends-energy-access-2018
Can Saubhagya succeed? Prospects of universal electrification in Uttar Pradesh
Johannes Urpelainen, director of the Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy (ISEP), reports from the front lines on India’s ambitious energy access plan and the challenges to implementation on the ground
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/can-saubhagya-succeed-prospects-universal-electrification-uttar-pradesh
Husk Power nets $20 million from Shell, ENGIE, Swedfund to scale mini-grids
The deal is the largest equity investment realized to date by a mini-grid company. India-based Husk will use the funds to expand its business in India and Tanzania to 300 mini-grids, serving over 100,000 customers, according to company CEO Manoj Sinha.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/husk-power-nets-20-million-shell-engie-swedfund-scale-mini-grids
Why active community ownership is key to rural electricity access in India
Arianna Tozzi, an India-based researcher, explains how community involvement can provide a sense of empowerment and lead to long-term sustainability of solar mini-grids
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/why-active-community-ownership-key-rural-electricity-access-india
Off-grid solar financing failing in India
Mohit Anand of TFE Consulting discusses the challenges of accessing capital for decentralized renewable energy in India, and suggests securitization as a path forward
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/grid-solar-financing-failing-india
Distributed solar industry eyes India as next “pay-as-you-go” giant
Many hurdles remain, including low consumer awareness, lack of mobile money and a fragmented telecom industry, but Anna Wells, senior communications adviser at GOGLA, reports that momentum is growing heading into 2018
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/distributed-solar-industry-eyes-india-next-pay-you-go-giant
Amid push for rural grid extension, distribution franchising could deliver reliable energy access in India
The government is banking on state-owned utilities and a centralized grid, but global trends point to a decentralized model in partnership with private sector, community
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/amid-push-rural-grid-extension-distribution-franchising-could-deliver-reliable-energy-access-india
Growing demand for mini-grids, solar in rural India; kerosene declining
Shalu Agrawal, a researcher at the Initiative for Sustainable Energy Policy (ISEP), reports from the front lines of Uttar Pradesh that decentralized renewable energy solutions are gaining popularity in rural communities
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/growing-demand-mini-grids-solar-rural-india-kerosene-declining
What’s the best battery for rural mini-grids?
New testing by the Institute for Transformative Technologies (ITT) finds Lithium-Ion (Li-ion), Aqueous Hybrid Ion (AHI) and Advanced Lead Acid (ALA) batteries all have strengths, but cost will be king
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/whats-best-battery-rural-mini-grids
Mini-grids can quickly achieve universal access in India, cut emissions: report
New research from REEEP shines light on need for greater public support for private sector mini-grid developers, with 36.5 million people in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh states hanging in the balance
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/mini-grids-can-quickly-achieve-universal-access-india-cut-emissions-report
Stage Set for Women to Lead a Solar-Powered Gender Revolution in Rural India
A growing movement of companies and civil society groups is helping women in rural India become solar entrepreneurs and improve their livelihoods. Now the key is scale.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/stage-set-women-lead-solar-powered-gender-revolution-rural-india
Fact Sheet: Decentralized Renewables: Boosting Agriculture and Improving Nutrition
DRE solutions can aid subsistence and low-income farmers to increase outputs, create savings, and allow for increased income for spending on more nutritious food.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-decentralized-renewables-boosting-agriculture-and-improving-nutrition
Top India companies mostly ignore energy access in CSR spend: report
India requires companies to spend 2% of profit on CSR. New research shows just a tiny fraction of that spend going to clean energy, with money often failing to reach the most energy-poor regions
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/top-india-companies-mostly-ignore-energy-access-csr-spend-report
Video: Rural small business benefiting from reliable, quality mini-grids
This mini-grid in Uttar Pradesh isn’t serving a single home. Instead, it is providing power to over 80 small businesses and local entrepreneurs are seeing the pay-off
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-rural-small-business-benefiting-reliable-quality-mini-grids
Saubhagya: the challenge in one chart
India has set a target of electrifying all households by Q1 2019. That will require 10x growth in the pace of new connections, says Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF)
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/saubhagya-challenge-one-chart
India’s Renewable Energy Push: A Win-Win for Job Creation and Electricity Access
A new report from World Resources Institute (WRI) explores India’s opportunity to be a role model for job creation in developing countries, especially for women, and create lucrative alternatives to subsistence farming through energy access
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/indias-renewable-energy-push-win-win-job-creation-and-electricity-access
Commentary: New India Electrification Target Daunting, but Doable
Debajit Palit of The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI), a research institute, says a newly announced government scheme is a step in the right direction to electrify all households in India, but only with change management at state-owned distributors
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/commentary-new-india-electrification-target-daunting-doable
Video: Mini-Grids Help Train Women, Youth with Reliable Power
Smart Power India is pushing the envelope in productive uses of electricity access beyond lighting, such as this Husk Power Systems mini-grid project in Kathkuiyan, Uttar Pradesh. Access to quality, reliable power supply from the mini-grid is ensuring that job training is uninterrupted, giving economic opportunity to local women and youth.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-mini-grids-help-train-women-youth-reliable-power
Tangible Benefits of Accelerating Electricity Access in Developing Countries Where 1 Billion Still Lack Power
New report urges greater use of decentralized renewable energy as quicker, less costly option, and reveals evidence of significant black carbon emission reductions
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-tangible-benefits-accelerating-electricity-access-developing-countries-where-1-billion-still-lack-power
Why Wait? Seizing the Energy Access Dividend
This research paper explores the concept of an energy access dividend that assigns economic, social and environmental value to the time it takes for households, businesses and communities to obtain the benefits associated with electricity access.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/reports/why-wait-seizing-energy-access-dividend
Crowdfunding tapped as new finance path for rural electrification in India
With access to affordable, long-term finance still a challenge in India for last-mile energy infrastructure, creative solutions are seeing the light of day, including crowdfunding
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/crowdfunding-tapped-new-finance-path-rural-electrification-india
Major India Player Azure Enters Mini-grid Market for Last-mile Electrification
The NYSE-traded company, which has a portfolio of over 1.6 GW in 22 states, unveils M-Power, its new business focused on bringing power to rural households across India, and is the latest major energy company to enter the mini-grid sector
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/major-india-player-azure-enters-mini-grid-market-last-mile-electrification
Commentary: Can Modi create global mini-grid market for India like China did with solar PV?
According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), mini-grids are a $190 billion market opportunity between now and 2030
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/commentary-can-modi-create-global-mini-grid-market-india-china-did-solar-pv
New Energy Access Frontiers Emerging in Oft-Ignored Countries
The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is ranked 184 out of 190 on the World Bank’s ease of doing business index and 175 on ease of getting electricity. By comparison, Kenya, a favorite of the donor community when it comes to energy access, ranks 92 and 106 respectively. The World Bank recently credited Kenya $150 million to provide solar to under-served communities.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/new-energy-access-frontiers-emerging-oft-ignored-countries
Solar + Storage: A path to converging clean cooking, electricity access? India thinks so.
The government has launched an innovation challenge that hopes to revolutionize access to electric induction cookstoves by taking advantage of huge cost declines in solar PV. Cheaper batteries are the “x factor”. Health and climate benefits are the prize.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/solar-storage-path-converging-clean-cooking-electricity-access-india-thinks-so
Podcast: the emerging South-South nexus in last-mile electrification #SDG7
Girish Shivakumar, the host of Emerging Tech Radio and policy analyst for Customized Energy Solutions, the company powering the Microgrid Initiative for Campus and Rural Opportunities (MICRO) in India, talks with Power for All’s William Brent.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/podcast-emerging-south-south-nexus-last-mile-electrification-sdg7
India energy future needs to be less ad hoc, more distributed
Arunabha Ghosh, the CEO of leading research institute Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), lays out a vision for how to build an inclusive, resilient, sustainable energy future in India that leaves no one behind
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-energy-future-needs-be-less-ad-hoc-more-distributed
New $50 million energy access growth fund announced by Shell Fdn, FMO
Shell Foundation and Dutch development bank FMO have announced a new growth fund for energy access businesses in India and Africa, with the aim of deploying $50 million and being operational in Q1 2018.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-50-million-energy-access-growth-fund-announced-shell-fdn-fmo
How India can lead the world in super-efficient appliances
India made efficient LED lightbulbs ubiquitous and cheap in just three years. It has an opportunity to do the same for super-efficient appliances and create a massive new global and domestic market, says innovator Sundar Muruganandhan.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/how-india-can-lead-world-super-efficient-appliances
Data access is critical to achieving electricity access
One of the biggest gaps identified by the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector is access to quality data and research. The African Development Bank (AfDB) for instance recently said lack of reliable data is one of the single most critical challenges for private mini-grid investors. Power for All’s Platform for Energy Access Knowledge (PEAK) was created 18 months ago to help bridge that gap – both to provide data needed by the sector, and to help make most effective use of the information which already exists. PEAK addresses the gap in information availability and use by supporting the visibility, discoverability and usability of critical knowledge for the sector through research, our interactive knowledge sharing platform communications and advocacy.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/data-access-critical-achieving-electricity-access
Campaign Updates: October 2017
Together with SEforALL, Power for All will launch a new report, "Why Wait? Seizing the Energy Access Dividend" at the UN Climate Change Conference in Bonn on November. 16. The Energy Access Dividend concept was originally put forward by Power for All in 2016, based on the need to account for the missed opportunities of individuals and nations of not having energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates-october-2017
Fact Sheet: SDG7 and Poverty Reduction
The body of evidence is growing to show that decentralized renewables play an important role in putting more money into the pockets of poor households and farmers, both by allowing them to switch from fossil fuels and also by creating new business opportunities. One estimate is that $40 billion in savings would result annually from replacing kerosene and candles with solar.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-sdg7-and-poverty-reduction
Video: Data and the SDGs
Despite the continued challenges in accessing data, a number of initiatives are making progress in quantifying progress on the SDGs, as well as contributing to better policy-making, such as the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development Data (@Data4SDGs), UN Global Pulse (@UNGlobalPulse) and UN Foundation-based Data2x (@Data2x). For an Africa perspective on the importance of data, watch this overview.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-data-and-sdgs
This Remote Region In Rajasthan Could Be India’s Answer To Tackling Energy Poverty
A group of organizations, including SELCO Foundation, Rang De and Kotra Adivasi Sansthan, are teaming up to provide low-cost financing for distributed solar in tribal communities
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/remote-region-rajasthan-could-be-indias-answer-tackling-energy-poverty
India’s Twitterati for electricity access
Power for All has compiled an informal guide of leading voices on Twitter connected to the effort to bring electricity to the 300 million in India without access. The below list is based on frequency and relevancy of posts and number of followers. We’ve included individuals and institutions, both from within and outside India. If you think we missed someone, or have story ideas for the Powering Rural India publication, please comment below. #SDGs #GlobalGoals #SDG7 #India #energyaccess
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/indias-twitterati-electricity-access
India historic success for electricity access, future connections will be decentralized: IEA
India stands out as “one of the largest electrification success stories in history”, accounting for 2 or every 5 people newly electrified since 2000, according to a new report by the International Energy Agency.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-historic-success-electricity-access-future-connections-will-be-decentralized-iea
IEA Concludes DRE “Least-Cost Solution” for 75% of SDG7 Connections Needed
An updated analysis of electricity access by the International Energy Agency (IEA) concludes that “decentralised systems, led by solar PV in off-grid and mini-grid systems, will be the least-cost solution for three-quarters of the additional connections needed” to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/economics/dre-least-cost-solution-75-sdg7-connections-needed-iea
Indian States Energy Access Digest
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) presents updates on key state-level initiatives to improve energy access in India
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/indian-states-energy-access-digest
A glaring omission in India’s energy policy: gender justice
It is high time the government take affirmative steps toward equity for women in the country’s energy future, argue Dr. Mini Govindan and Debajit Palit of TERI
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/glaring-omission-indias-energy-policy-gender-justice
Billions in savings from kerosene subsidy cuts should go to distributed solar: IISD
India is one of the largest consumers of kerosene on an absolute and per capita basis. Because there are no accessible, affordable and established sustainable alternatives, poor rural households — especially in remote rural areas — continue to use kerosene as their primary lighting fuel despite the well-recorded health hazards. But this is changing, according to new policy analysis by the International Institute for Sustainable Development (IISD).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/billions-savings-kerosene-subsidy-cuts-should-go-distributed-solar-iisd
Power For All Partner Oolu Completes Series A Fundraising to Expand its Work in West Africa
Oolu, a Senegal-based Y Combinator start-up and one of the fastest-growing solar companies in Africa, announced the successful completion of a US$3.2 million round of equity investment. This Series A funding follows its seed round in 2015, and will support Oolu’s continued growth as it seeks to address the energy needs of the more than 150 million people who live without access to electricity in West Africa.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/power-all-partner-oolu-completes-series-fundraising-expand-its-work-west-africa
Video: Mini-grids increase rice processing output for rural Indian women by 100x
The Smart Power India (SPI) initiative has electrified 8 villages in Jharkhand state with green mini-grids. Women who earn a living from processing rice are now using electric hullers and fans to hull and winnow rice, and the impact has been huge: the amount of rice hulled daily has increased 100x from 20kg to 2,000kg.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-mini-grids-increase-rice-processing-output-rural-indian-women-100x
Billionaire puts electricity access on front page of top India newspapers
Manoj Bhargava, the Indian-American billionaire, philanthropist and creator of 5-hour Energy, took out front-page ads in all of India’s top national newspapers on Oct. 6, offering “Free Electricity” from distributed renewable energy. Through the Billions in Change initiative, the native of Uttar Pradesh is advertising portable solar lighting as well as phone charging solutions. It also offers a pedal-powered hybrid bicycle, which drives a flywheel system that turns a generator, which charges a battery pack.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/billionaire-puts-electricity-access-front-page-top-india-newspapers
India energy access sector makes headway, also faces headwinds: CLEAN report
A new report launched by industry representative Clean Energy Access Network (CLEAN) showed that India’s private sector energy access companies are experiencing growth, and expect to triple their financing needs in the next three years, but need stronger public partnerships to scale more rapidly.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-energy-access-sector-makes-headway-also-faces-headwinds-clean-report
Scaling up mini-grids through capital infusion, innovation, and cross-sector collaboration
Government affirmation of off-grid models being a complementary way of viable electricity provision will be critical to unlocking market potential. A quarter of the world’s energy poor live in India. This energy access gap is partially due to the remoteness of some communities, where the national grid may not reach for many years. In some cases, these villages do have central grid infrastructure, but sufficient electricity is not reaching people at the household level. This puts the unelectrified at a distinct disadvantage because energy is a prerequisite for economic development.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/scaling-mini-grids-through-capital-infusion-innovation-and-cross-sector-collaboration
Small hydro target moved up in India
NITI Aayog, the government policy think tank in India, has recommended that the country’s Small Hydro Power (SHP) target of 5 GW by 2022 be advanced to 2019–20, which it says will aid in balancing variable solar energy in decentralized locations.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/small-hydro-target-moved-india
Are mini-grids about to get really boring (and boom)?
Mini-grids have had their fair share of hype in recent years, so a measure of skepticism is warranted, especially when you consider the multiple challenges that have prevented them from scaling: access to affordable capital, uncertain policies, unpredictable consumption patterns, complex community dynamics, currency risk, high transaction costs for investors, etc. In the words of Frank Bergh, vice president at Sigora International: “A start-up utility is still a jumbo shrimp.”
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/are-mini-grids-about-get-really-boring-and-boom
Policy spotlight: Nigeria & India lead on mini-grids
India has roughly 300 million people without access to electricity, and Nigeria about 100 million. Together, the countries account for some 40% of the world’s total unelectrified population, and that percentage is even higher if you just include rural inhabitants. But the countries are proactively working to address the problem, and both have put forward federal mini-grid policies that offer huge potential for scale. The policies define what a mini-grid is, simplify permitting and perhaps most importantly resolve what happens if/when the grid arrives to an area where a mini-grid has been established. The policies are a critical market signal, offering policy certainty that is still needed across much of Sub-Saharan Africa and the rest of South Asia. Our sector stakeholders -- governments, developers, civil society groups, financiers -- have much to learn and emulate. For policy-makers with vision, mini-grids can help achieve the SDGs in a more reliable, clean and affordable manner.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/policy-spotlight-nigeria-india-lead-mini-grids
Campaign Update: September 2017
Find out about recent activities and the upcoming events where Power for All will be profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-updates-september-2017
Finance Focus: Mini-grids Meet their match.com
“New investors are interested in mini-grids, but they look at companies and say ‘They are not ready for us’,” says Katrina Pielli, senior energy advisor for the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). “It’s exhausting for investors to go through 16-tab spreadsheets with no two developers presenting things the same way.”
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/economics/finance-focus-mini-grids-meet-their-matchcom
In Conversation with... Sam Slaughter
Sam Slaughter, a founding member of the newly formed Africa Mini-grid Developers Association (AMDA), tells Power for All that it’s time for the mini-grid sector to move past ideation and start executing at scale.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-africa-mini-grid-developers-association-amda
Research Summary: Powering Productive Use
For many governments and multilateral institutions, electricity access needs to bring socio-economic development opportunities with it to get the attention and support the sector wants. It is imperative for mini-grids to be able to demonstrate “productive use”.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-powering-productive-use
Video: Mini Film Series on Mini-grids & Productive Use
The narrative for the contribution of distributed renewables to Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) has centered around lighting and phone charging for the past 10 years.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-mini-film-series-mini-grids-productive-use
5 Concrete Steps for India to Achieve Universal Electricity Access
India’s government has set 2022 as the target for providing 24x7 electricity to all of its people, including the roughly 300 million who lack any access to power. A lot of progress has been made, but a program associate at leading Indian policy research institute CEEW has outlined 5 concrete steps that should be taken to assure the ambitious goal is met.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/5-concrete-steps-india-achieve-universal-electricity-access
India pledges $2.5 billion to electrify all households by Q1 2019: Modi
Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced a new phase of India’s universal electrification program, saying that state’s would be required to electrify all households by March 31, 2019 and committing 163.2 billion rupees ($2.5 billion) for the program, with 86% of that going to rural electrification.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-pledges-25-billion-electrify-all-households-q1-2019-modi
Power for all, always
Smart technology, involving people in operations could make 24x7 electricity a reality
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/power-all-always
Mobile for Energy Access: A Conversation with Mats Granryd and Strive Masiyiwa
1.2 billion people around the world are living still living without access energy, yet two-thirds of them are within mobile network coverage. As the rapid growth of the mobile industry is outpacing the slow extension of the energy grid in many developing countries, mobile is providing new pathways to delivery key services such as energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/mobile-energy-access-conversation-mats-granryd-and-strive-masiyiwa
How Women Are Bringing Solar Power to Villages in Bihar
Recently, Kumar Deepak, environment officer at the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in India, had an opportunity to meet with Amrish Joshi, a block coordinator for Tankuppa, Gaya, in Bihar state for the Bihar Rural Livelihoods Project (aka, Jeevika), who has been working on renewable energy installations in the area. The area was previously infamous as a corridor for a Naxal insurgency. Solar mini-grids have been set up and are now operational in two villages.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/how-women-are-bringing-solar-power-villages-bihar
Solar mini-grids deliver clean water to rural India
Distributed solar is about more than just bringing electricity to rural villages. It’s about delivering the services that electricity enable, including clean water. Grassroots and Rural Innovative Development (GRID) and a growing number of private companies are pioneering a new approach in India using renewable energy mini-grids to power reverse osmosis (RO) water purification plants.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/solar-mini-grids-deliver-clean-water-rural-india
Thoughts on quality electricity access in rural Jharkhand
Jharkhand is one of the most diverse states in India with 32 recognized indigenous tribes accounting for more than 26% of the state’s population. The village of Kantasola is inhabited by one such tribe, the Santhals, known for their art, handicrafts, bow and arrow skills and, spot-clean villages and houses.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/thoughts-quality-electricity-access-rural-jharkhand
Backed by Japanese giant, top India mini-grid developer heads to Africa
Mitsui & Co., Ltd. and OMC Power are forming a joint venture (JV) to enter the African market as part of a just announced ¥1 billion ($9.3 million) equity investment by the Japanese conglomerate in the leading private Indian mini-grid developer, according to the companies.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/backed-japanese-giant-top-india-mini-grid-developer-heads-africa
Mini-grids deliver in India floods
In late August, Bihar, one of the poorest states in India, was devastated by flooding that affected millions of people and severely challenged authorities working to support the rural communities hit hardest. With uncertainty about the availability of grid power, renewable energy mini-grids stepped up to ensure adequate back-up power and played a key role in assisting with relief operations.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/mini-grids-deliver-india-floods
New research: rooftop solar can bridge India’s gap in rural health services
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), one of South Asia’s leading policy research institutions, today issued a new report concluding that distributed solar energy can play a major role in bridging India’s massive gap in delivering rural healthcare services, both as a primary and backup source of power. Currently, 1 in 2 rural Primary Health Centers (PHCs) in India suffer from lack of electricity or irregular power supply, with over 38 million households depending on PHCs that have zero electricity access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-research-rooftop-solar-can-bridge-indias-gap-rural-health-services
Research Summary: Powering Primary Healthcare through Solar in India: Lessons from Chhattisgarh
The Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) completed a first-of-its-kind quantitative and qualitative study on the impacts of electricity access via distributed solar on rural healthcare services.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-powering-primary-healthcare-through-solar-india-lessons-chhattisgarh
In north-east India, boat clinics go solar for better healthcare delivery
For communities perilously living in flood prone areas, access to basic resources and opportunities is a perpetual challenge. River islands especially lack basic infrastructure and services such as healthcare, education, power, drinking water and sanitation. People risk the weather and flooding rivers, and make long journeys in difficult terrains to get basic health services such as vaccination, mother and child care, medicines, minor operations, etc. Medical emergencies can be particularly harrowing. Same challenges are prevalent across the sundarbans in Bangladesh, coastal areas of Rakhine in Myanmar, the lakes of Cambodia, and many other areas.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/north-east-india-boat-clinics-go-solar-better-healthcare-delivery
In North-East India, Boat Clinics Go Solar for Better Healthcare Delivery
For communities perilously living in flood prone areas, access to basic resources and opportunities is a perpetual challenge. River islands especially lack basic infrastructure and services such as healthcare, education, power, drinking water and sanitation. People risk the weather and flooding rivers, and make long journeys in difficult terrains to get basic health services such as vaccination, mother and child care, medicines, minor operations, etc. Medical emergencies can be particularly harrowing. Same challenges are prevalent across the sundarbans in Bangladesh, coastal areas of Rakhine in Myanmar, the lakes of Cambodia, and many other areas.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/north-east-india-boat-clinics-go-solar-better-healthcare-delivery
Small hydro target moved up in India
NITI Aayog, the government policy think tank in India, has recommended that the country’s Small Hydro Power (SHP) target of 5 GW by 2022 be advanced to 2019–20, which it says will aid in balancing variable solar energy in decentralized locations.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/small-hydro-target-moved-india
With a few tweaks, India can lead rural electrification with real-time data and smarter metrics
India’s Draft National Energy Policy, published by NITI Aayog on June 27, proposes to change the national definition of village electrification. The change would only consider a village fully electrified if all households enjoy adequate hours of power supply on a typical day.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/few-tweaks-india-can-lead-rural-electrification-real-time-data-and-smarter-metrics
With a Few Tweaks, India Can Lead Rural Electrification With Real-Time Data and Smarter Metrics
India’s Draft National Energy Policy, published by NITI Aayog on June 27, proposes to change the national definition of village electrification. The change would only consider a village fully electrified if all households enjoy adequate hours of power supply on a typical day.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/few-tweaks-india-can-lead-rural-electrification-real-time-data-and-smarter-metrics
“Green Fund” needed to unlock finance and achieve India’s clean energy goals
Momentum is building as India moves towards meeting its clean energy targets. Recognizing the tremendous growth potential and opportunity to overhaul India’s energy sector, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy convened policymakers, investors and key clean energy stakeholders at the World Renewable Energy Technology Congress in New Delhi this week to focus on accelerating the market and achieving India’s goals of installing 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power by 2022.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/green-fund-needed-unlock-finance-and-achieve-indias-clean-energy-goals
“Green Fund” needed to unlock finance and achieve India's clean energy goals
Momentum is building as India moves towards meeting its clean energy targets. Recognizing the tremendous growth potential and opportunity to overhaul India’s energy sector, the Ministry of New & Renewable Energy convened policymakers, investors and key clean energy stakeholders at the World Renewable Energy Technology Congress in New Delhi this week to focus on accelerating the market and achieving India’s goals of installing 175 gigawatts (GW) of renewable power by 2022.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/green-fund-needed-unlock-finance-and-achieve-indias-clean-energy-goals
SEforALL launches newly updated 'heat maps': highlighting 20 "high impact" countries facing sustainable energy challenges
Power for All partner SEforAll recently launched an updated interactive addition to their website, called "heat maps". Relying on data from their knowledge partners, the maps graphically highlight countries and regions that are making the most progress, as well as those that are facing the biggest challenges, on major sustainable energy issues.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/seforall-launches-newly-updated-heat-maps-highlighting-20-high-impact-countries-facing-sustainable-energy-challenges
2016–17 Global LEAP Awards for Off-Grid TVs & Fans Announced
Winners and Finalists of the 2016–17 Global LEAP Awards for Outstanding Off-Grid Televisions and Fans were announced today by USAID’s Power Africa Beyond the Grid program. Power for All partner d.light won the medium television category, and our partners BBOXX and Mobisol were finalists in the large television and medium television categories, respectively. Congrats and we’re proud to have you on the Power for All campaign!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/2016-17-global-leap-awards-grid-tvs-fans-announced
Infographic: India $48 billion annual energy access opportunity
India is the world’s largest single market for providing energy access, with 304 million people or 43 million households officially still unelectrified (depending on the data source). The government has targeted 2022 for 24x7 nationwide electrification.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/infographic-india-48-billion-annual-energy-access-opportunity
24x7 Power is About Access, Not Electrification
India currently reports 99.4% electrification, yet there are 304 million people who still lack access to electricity according to the recent draft of the National Energy Policy (NEP) issued by the government’s policy thinktank NITI Aayog.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/24x7-power-about-auaccessau-not-auelectrificationau
India: Ground zero for scaling electricity access and SDG7
For good reason, sub-Saharan Africa gets much of the attention when it comes to electricity access. It is home to more than 600 million energy poor spread across nearly 50 countries. But it is likely going to be India — by itself home to roughly 300 million unelectrified — where decentralized renewable energy (DRE) achieves the scale needed to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) — universal access to modern, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-ground-zero-scaling-electricity-access-and-sdg7
India: Ground Zero for Scaling Electricity Access and SDG7
For good reason, sub-Saharan Africa gets much of the attention when it comes to electricity access. It is home to more than 600 million energy poor spread across nearly 50 countries. But it is likely going to be India--by itself home to roughly 300 million unelectrified--where decentralized renewable energy (DRE) achieves the scale needed to deliver Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) - universal access to modern, affordable, reliable and sustainable energy by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/india-ground-zero-scaling-electricity-access-and-sdg7
Partner perspective: It's about access, not electrification
India currently reports 99.4% electrification, yet there are 304 million people who still lack access to electricity according to the recent draft of the National Energy Policy (NEP) issued by the government’s policy thinktank NITI Aayog.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/partner-perspective-its-about-access-not-electrification
Campaign Update: July-August 2017
Find out about recent activities and the upcoming events where Power for All will be profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-july-august-2017
In Conversation with... Harihara Mohapatra
Harihara Mohapatra, COO of The CLEAN Network, spoke with Power for All about the state of the sector in India, and what’s needed to scale decentralized renewable energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-harihara-mohapatra-clean-network
Research Summary: Climate Finance MIA for DRE
The International Energy Agency (IEA) says $19.6 billion needs to be invested each year in distributed solutions (mini-grid and off-grid systems) to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. Yet currently just 0.2% of climate finance goes to such solutions, and low-income countries (i.e. the ones who suffer most from energy poverty and climate change) get just 5% of total clean energy finance.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/research-summaries/research-summary-climate-finance-mia-dre
Video: India Energy Access Mini Film Series
Below is a series of thematic videos from India that highlight some of the leading work being done across the sector:
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-india-energy-access-mini-film-series
Solar Sister Joins Power for All Campaign
Solar Sister, the world’s first women-led social enterprise eradicating energy poverty at scale by investing in women as clean energy entrepreneurs and leaders, has joined the Power for All campaign.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-solar-sister-joins-power-all-campaign
Sector Reform + Distributed Technology = 24x7 Power
A key lesson from the past decade of electrification in India and the surge of decentralized energy technologies is that grid extension and decentralized solutions are complementary. Although distributed power may be a viable alternative to grid extension in sparsely populated countries with limited electric grid infrastructure, in India the problems with the electric grid have more to do with governance than with geography. Therefore, the best way forward is to combine power sector reform and distributed power generation under an integrated policy framework.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/sector-reform-distributed-technology-24x7-power
Sector Reform + Distributed Technology = 24x7 Power
A key lesson from the past decade of electrification in India and the surge of decentralized energy technologies is that grid extension and decentralized solutions are complementary. Although distributed power may be a viable alternative to grid extension in sparsely populated countries with limited electric grid infrastructure, in India the problems with the electric grid have more to do with governance than with geography. Therefore, the best way forward is to combine power sector reform and distributed power generation under an integrated policy framework.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/sector-reform-distributed-technology-24x7-power
ENGIE Ups Stake in India Last-Mile Market
Rassembleurs d’Energies, a sustainable energy investment and technical assistance arm of giant France-based utility ENGIE, announced its participation in a new $2.5 million round of investment in Mera Gao Power(MGP), an Indian micro-grid developer.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/engie-ups-stake-india-last-mile-market
ENGIE ups stake in India last-mile market
Rassembleurs d’Energies, a sustainable energy investment and technical assistance arm of giant France-based utility ENGIE, announced its participation in a new $2.5 million round of investment in Mera Gao Power (MGP), an Indian micro-grid developer.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/engie-ups-stake-india-last-mile-market-1
New national energy policy redefines rural “electrification”, sees states taking lead
India has put forward a sweeping roadmap for its energy future, including the role it foresees for distributed renewables as it moves to create universal electricity access by 2022, and an energy revolution by 2040, by which time India’s population will be about 1.6 billion, with electricity demand expected to increase 4.5 fold from 2012 levels.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-national-energy-policy-redefines-rural-electrification-sees-states-taking-lead
New National Energy Policy Redefines Rural “Electrification”, Sees States Taking Lead
India has put forward a sweeping roadmap for its energy future, including the role it foresees for distributed renewables as it moves to create universal electricity access by 2022, and an energy revolution by 2040, by which time India’s population will be about 1.6 billion, with electricity demand expected to increase 4.5 fold from 2012 levels.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/new-national-energy-policy-redefines-rural-electrification-sees-states-taking-lead
Waste biomass power set to surge in India
Solar energy has received most of the attention in India’s ongoing energy transition. But the country’s draft National Energy Policy (NEP) has called for putting greater resources behind projects that convert waste agricultural biomass into electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/waste-biomass-power-set-surge-india
Waste Biomass Power Set to Surge in India
Solar energy has received most of the attention in India’s ongoing energy transition. But the country’s draft National Energy Policy (NEP) has called for putting greater resources behind projects that convert waste agricultural biomass into electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/waste-biomass-power-set-surge-india
Roti and a Renewable Recipe for Better Livelihoods in Rural India
Clear linkages exist between distributed energy, energy efficiency and sustainable livelihoods. However, a holistic solution needs to go beyond the confines of technology, and integrate aspects of capacity building, appropriate financing and market intelligence. Take the case of roti.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/roti-and-renewable-recipe-better-livelihoods-rural-india
Roti and a Renewable Recipe for Better Livelihoods in Rural India
Clear linkages exist between distributed energy, energy efficiency and sustainable livelihoods. However, a holistic solution needs to go beyond the confines of technology, and integrate aspects of capacity building, appropriate financing and market intelligence. Take the case of roti.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/roti-and-renewable-recipe-better-livelihoods-rural-india
New Report: Progress on 24x7 Power for All
India’s government has made transparency a centerpiece of its rural electrification campaign, called Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). A new update summarizing the status of India’s overall energy reform program (called 24x7 Power for All, or Ujwal Bharat) was recently issued, reporting that 73% of villages have been electrified under DDUGJY as of May 19, 2017.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-report-progress-24x7-power-all
New Report: Progress on 24x7 Power for All
India’s government has made transparency a centerpiece of its rural electrification campaign, called Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY). A new update summarizing the status of India’s overall energy reform program (called 24x7 Power for All, or Ujwal Bharat) was recently issued, reporting that 73% of villages have been electrified under DDUGJY as of May 19, 2017.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-report-progress-24x7-power-all-1
Uttar Pradesh: Opportunity to Scale Energy-as-a-Service Models for Rural Electrification
With a population of 200 million, Uttar Pradesh (UP) is India’s largest state. It is also the state with the largest number of unelectrified people. In the 2011 Census of India, only one in four rural households used electricity as their primary source of lighting, and the 2014–2015 ACCESS survey of energy poverty in rural India revealed that the typical grid-connected household only received nine hours of power supply on an average day.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/uttar-pradesh-opportunity-scale-energy-service
Uttar Pradesh: Opportunity to Scale Energy-as-a-Service Models for Rural Electrification
With a population of 200 million, Uttar Pradesh (UP) is India’s largest state. It is also the state with the largest number of unelectrified people. In the 2011 Census of India, only one in four rural households used electricity as their primary source of lighting, and the 2014–2015 ACCESS survey of energy poverty in rural India revealed that the typical grid-connected household only received nine hours of power supply on an average day.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/uttar-pradesh-opportunity-scale-energy-service-models-rural-electrification
Virtually battery-free, 100% renewable, remotely-managed rural utility is coming
Husk Power Systems, an early pioneer in developing micro-grids for poor, rural communities in India and sub-Saharan Africa, plans a 7-fold increase in its power plants to 600 within 5 years, expanding into a fully-fledged rural utility that delivers reliable 24/7 grid-compatible power and better customer service than incumbent utilities.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/virtually-battery-free-100-renewable
Virtually Battery-Free, 100% Renewable, Remotely-Managed Rural Utility Is Coming
Husk Power Systems, an early pioneer in developing micro-grids for poor, rural communities in India and sub-Saharan Africa, plans a 7-fold increase in its power plants to 600 within 5 years, expanding into a fully-fledged rural utility that delivers reliable 24/7 grid-compatible power and better customer service than incumbent utilities.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/virtually-battery-free-100-renewable-remotely-managed-rural-utility-coming
100,000 Reasons Not to Forget the Urban-Rural Connection in SDG7
Most international focus on electricity poverty is understandably on remote, rural communities, where 900 million people live without power. But as Pollinate Energy just proved in India, cities also face similar challenges. Pollinate, which distributes solar and other life-changing products to vulnerable urban migrants, just announced surpassing its 100,000 customer.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/100000-reasons-not-forget-urban-rural-connection-sdg7
100,000 reasons not to forget the urban-rural connection in SDG7
Most international focus on electricity poverty is understandably on remote, rural communities, where 900 million people live without power. But as Pollinate Energy just proved in India, cities also face similar challenges. Pollinate, which distributes solar and other life-changing products to vulnerable urban migrants, just announced surpassing its 100,000 customer.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/100000-reasons-not-forget-urban-rural-connection-sdg7
5 Untapped Apps of Solar Irrigation
The benefits of solar pumps are not restricted to irrigation, in India and globally. Besides reducing pollution and emissions by replacing diesel generators, they can deliver many other applications, which is critical in India, a country where agriculture accounts for 15% of GDP and more than 50% of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/5-untapped-apps-solar-irrigation
5 Untapped Apps of Solar Irrigation
The benefits of solar pumps are not restricted to irrigation, in India and globally. Besides reducing pollution and emissions by replacing diesel generators, they can deliver many other applications, which is critical in India, a country where agriculture accounts for 15% of GDP and more than 50% of the population is dependent on agriculture for their livelihoods.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/5-untapped-apps-solar-irrigation
Indian enterprises are banking on solar loans for sustainable energy access to tribal hamlets
Access to credit is an important pre-requisite for facilitating access to energy. Owing to marginal and unpredictable incomes, rural and tribal families cannot afford to pay up-front the cost of basic systems. Over the years, solar products, heavily subsidized by multiple donors, have been installed in villages without adequate servicing and maintenance. The consequences have been disastrous as many of the villages have turned into junkyards of dysfunctional systems.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/indian-enterprises-are-banking-solar-loans-sustainable-energy-access-tribal-hamlets
Indian enterprises are banking on solar loans for sustainable energy access to tribal hamlets
Access to credit is an important pre-requisite for facilitating access to energy. Owing to marginal and unpredictable incomes, rural and tribal families cannot afford to pay up-front the cost of basic systems. Over the years, solar products, heavily subsidized by multiple donors, have been installed in villages without adequate servicing and maintenance. The consequences have been disastrous as many of the villages have turned into junkyards of dysfunctional systems.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/indian-enterprises-are-banking-solar-loans-sustainable-energy-access-tribal-hamlets
Distributed Renewables = Jobs and Business
India is a leader in the global surge in renewable energy jobs. According to IRENA’s recent 2017 report, India currently represents 385,000 jobs, making it the 4th largest national jobs market behind China, the United States and Brazil. Meanwhile, new CEEW and NRDC research projects India will create 1 million jobs by 2022 if the government hits its target of 175 GW of renewable energy. Within this greater context, delivering power to India’s 269.8 million unnelectrified rural poor offers it’s own distinct opportunity.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/distributed-renewables-jobs-and-business
Scaling rural electrification via bank capacity building
The biggest frustration voiced by enterprises looking to deliver last-mile electricity connections to the rural poor is lack of finance. To solve this major roadblock to scale, SELCO Foundation has developed an innovative program that has nothing to do with money. It focuses instead on people and process. Sound boring? Not at all, and it may be a key to fully unlocking the distributed energy transition sweeping the world.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/scaling-rural-electrification-bank-capacity-building
The Human Capital Investment: SDG7 and the Renewable Energy Generation
Solving energy poverty is not a technology issue. With affordable new services, performance improvements, and the ability to pay-as-you-go on mobile money platforms, decentralized renewable energy (DRE) can enable the delivery of basic Tier 1 and Tier 2 energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/human-capital-investment-sdg7-and-renewable-energy-generation
Campaign Update: June 2017
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All will be profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-june-2017
SELCO: Scaling rural electrification via bank capacity building
The biggest frustration voiced by enterprises looking to deliver last-mile electricity connections to the rural poor is lack of finance. To solve this major roadblock to scale, SELCO Foundation has developed an innovative program that has nothing to do with money. It focuses instead on people and process. Sound boring? Not at all, and it may be a key to fully unlocking the distributed energy transition sweeping the world.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/selco-scaling-rural-electrification-bank-capacity-building
Fact Sheet: Decentralized Renewables: Empowering Women As Sustainable Energy Leaders
Energy poverty is not gender-neutral: women bear the heaviest burden. Distributed renewable energy can not only empower women economically and socially as end users, but the sector itself can hugely benefit by integrating women across the value chain as designers, educators, trainers, managers, and entrepreneurs.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-wonder-women
In Conversation with... Jane Ebinger
Jane Ebinger, SEforALL’s director of policy, had a wide-ranging conversation with Power for All, highlighting gender equality, women’s empowerment, the critical need for supporting human capacity more broadly in order to achieve SDG7, and much more.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-jane-ebinger-seforall
Video: 1 Million Technicians by 2025
Schneider Electric has pledged to train 1 million people as renewable energy technicians by 2025. This video explains their Access to Energy effort and their success so far in training more than 100,000. In October last year, Schneider signed an MoU with India to establish a center to train trainers and to setup not less than 100 vocational centers to train, in particular, unemployed youth in the field of energy management and solar energy. In April 2017, they also set up a training center in Ivory Coast. For more perspective, also check out our previous interview with Schneider's Thomas Andre on the need for capacity building.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-1-million-technicians-2025
How distributed solar can save India $10 billion, eliminate 5% of emissions, increase farmer incomes
An innovative project in India to aggregate power generated from microgrid-powered solar irrigation into farmer-owned electricity cooperatives is showing impressive results, with the potential to save India’s government $10 billion in farm power subsidies, conserve scarce groundwater and eliminate 5% of India’s total GHG emissions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/how-distributed-solar-can-save-india-10-billion-eliminate-5-emissions-increase-farmer-incomes
Bihar calls on investors to help decarbonize
Bihar’s Energy Minister, Shri Bijendra Prasad Yadav called on investors to come to Bihar state, one of India’s most electricity poor, to help achieve bold new renewable energy targets and decarbonize the economy.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/bihar-calls-investors-help-decarbonize
Utilities partner with micro-grids in India to provide rural power access, save money
In an attempt to address electricity poverty in India and make uninterrupted power accessible to all, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in conjunction with several utilities, has pioneered work on solar-powered direct-current (DC) micro-grids that have reduced system costs by about 50%. The project has so far connected around 9,000 homes in 11 states.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/utilities-partner-micro-grids-india-provide-rural-power-access-save-money
Multi-Billion Dollar Africa-India Partnership Aims to Eradicate Electricity Poverty
As this CNBC Africa interview with Power for All shows, the pieces are falling into place for an important collaboration between India and Africa to end energy poverty. The stakes are high, as sub-Saharan Africa and India account for over 80 percent of the world’s 1.1 billion unelectrified.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/multi-billion-dollar-africa-india-partnership-aims-eradicate-electricity-poverty
“Utility in a Box” — a mini-grid solution for scaling last-mile connectivity
Prototypes of an integrated, standardized “Utility in a Box” (UiB) are being deployed in rural India starting this month, with the goal of significantly reducing the cost of mini-grid systems and contributing more significantly to India’s goal of national electrification by 2019.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/utility-box-mini-grid-solution-scaling-last-mile-connectivity
Mini-Grids Fueling Micro-Enterprise in Rural India
Case study: Apparel manufacturing in Kamlapur, Uttar Pradesh
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/mini-grids-fuelling-micro-enterprise-rural-india
India sees launch of 1st solar TV service
Simpa Networks, a leader in providing affordable solar power to households and businesses in rural India, today announced the launch of Magic TV, the country’s first solar-powered Pay-as-you-Go (PAYG) satellite TV solution.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/india-sees-launch-1st-solar-tv-service
Indian women scaling distributed power to 100,000s of rural households
Jaipur-based Frontier Markets is pursuing a energy revolution in rural India through the power of women. The start-up is expecting to more than double to 500,000 the number of households it reaches with distributed renewable power solutions this year.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/indian-women-scaling-distributed-power-100000s-rural-households
It’s time for a grid, mini-grid marriage in India
India is pursuing national electrification at a breakneck pace, but in order for last-mile connectivity to become a reality for all Indians, better coordination is needed between grid operators and private mini-grid ESCOs, according to a new report.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/its-time-grid-mini-grid-marriage-india
How distributed solar power is improving healthcare delivery in rural India
Over 28,000 Primary Health Centers (PHCs) serve as the backbone of public healthcare in rural India. Yet access to quality care is still a serious issue, since PHCs are often too under-staffed, under-financed, under-equipped, or under-serviced to be able to provide round-the-clock care.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/how-distributed-solar-power-improving-healthcare-delivery-rural-india
Is cold storage the next ‘killer app’ for green mini-grids?
Many of India’s leading mini-grid developers launched their businesses by powering remote telco towers close to communities lacking reliable electricity. While this model has provided guaranteed off-take and revenue, the search is now on for additional (and more productive) anchor loads as the mini-grid market evolves and innovates.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/cold-storage-next-killer-app-green-mini-grids
Is cold storage the next green mini-grid "anchor tenant"?
Many of India's leading mini-grid developers launched their businesses by powering remote telco towers close to communities lacking reliable electricity. While this model has provided guaranteed off-take and revenue, the search is now on for additional (and more productive) anchor loads as the mini-grid market evolves and innovates.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/cold-storage-next-green-mini-grid-anchor-tenant
Bihar sets growth target for solar, mini-grid
Bihar state, one of India’s most electricity poor, announced a new five-year renewable energy policy that targets 3 GW of solar capacity, including 1 GW of rooftop solar and 100 MW of green mini-grids.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/bihar-sets-growth-target-solar-mini-grid
Goyal “most important individual for the future of energy”
A very interesting blurb from “Energy Source”, the weekly newsletter from Financial Times US Industry and Energy Editor Ed Crooks, in which he suggests that MNRE minister Piyush Goyal is playing a central role in the global clean energy transition.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/goyal-most-important-individual-future-energy
India’s Power Surge: A Paradox of Plenty?
India’s state power ministers convened in Delhi recently for an unusual group meeting. The event had a dual purpose: partly to celebrate how far India has come in rebuilding its power sector, and partly to lay out a roadmap for confronting the challenges that remain. My recent journey through 11 of India’s 29 states, speaking with senior power officials, confirms that India has made incredible progress in tackling its power generation deficit. Increased generation capacity through new additions of renewables and greater efficiency and reliability of coal stocks for thermal power plants is coupling with the success of India’s incredible demand-side measures to create a perfect storm of plentiful power. However, the next set of problems for its power sector are in some ways more difficult to confront. To address those problems, India will have to employ a diverse and creative set of solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/indias-power-surge-paradox-plenty
“25x25”: A Collaborative Vision to Scale Access
It’s been two years since Power for All launched at the United Nations Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) forum on May 21, 2015. Since then, the campaign’s greatest successes—from elevating messages on the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector with nearly 1 billion media impressions or securing ecosystem-wide commitments from government, private sector and civil society to grow DRE in energy-poor countries—have been possible by working with and through our nearly 200 partners around the world.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/25x25-collaborative-vision-scale-access
Campaign Update: May 2017
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-may-2017
Power for All Perspective: Electricity access status report
Two new reports from the World Bank - the Global Tracking Framework 2017 and the Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) - give a snapshot of where we stand in the fight against electricity poverty. The verdict: we've got a lot of work to do, and not a lot of time to do it in. So instead of having to read a combined 500 pages, our PEAK research team pulled together a 2-page summary, with a dash of perspective. The clock is ticking, so get reading.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/power-all-perspective-electricity-access-status-report
In Conversation with... Dr. Youba Sokona
Dr. Sokona is a leader in energy, environment and sustainable development in Africa. Until recently, he oversaw the African Renewable Energy Initiative (AREI), a pledged $10 billion initiative to unlock Africa’s renewable energy potential to deliver 300 GW by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-dr-youba-sokona
Recipe for Success: Sierra Leone
Exactly one year ago, the government of Sierra Leone embarked on a vision to achieve power for all, signing the first Energy Africa compact with the UK government. This resulted in the launch of the Sierra Leone Energy Revolution, a bold initiative to accelerate access to 250,000 homes by end of 2017 and provide universal electricity access by 2025.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/sierra-leone/recipe-success-sierra-leone
Video: Leaving No Country Behind
Power for All launched "Decentralized Renewables: From Promise to Progress", a new policy-focused Call to Action at the SEforALL Forum, and two of the co-authors of the report, Rebekah Shirley and Kristina Skierka, discussed the findings during a Facebook Live session during the Forum. Learn what policy levers correlate to high-growth of decentralized renewable energy, and how governments can embrace and implement necessary reform that leads to universal electricity access.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-leaving-no-country-behind
Scaling Solar Irrigation in India (and Africa)
India’s market for solar pumps for irrigation and drinking water was virtually non-existent in 2011, when Claro Energy was founded. But recent attention from federal and state governments, including subsidies, has created a $700 million annual market that is set to expand rapidly.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/scaling-solar-irrigation-india-and-africa
Claro Energy: scaling solar irrigation in India (and Africa)
India's market for solar pumps for irrigation and drinking water was virtually non-existent in 2011, when Claro Energy was founded. But recent attention from federal and state governments, including subsidies, has created a $700 million annual market that is set to expand rapidly.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/claro-energy-scaling-solar-irrigation-india-and-africa
5 Ideas to Consider to Make Universal Energy Access a Reality
Our global goal of extending access to modern energy services to all people by 2030 will remain a distant reality unless there is a fundamental shift in how we implement plans to expand access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/5-ideas-consider-make-universal-energy-access-reality
Simpa Networks and its “Solar On Every Indian Rooftop” Vision
At the end of the day, residential rooftop solar is a finance business. Whatever the business model - leasing, paygo, micro-finance - it's all about managing money, while on the investment side, it might be bundling small projects and securitizing them. So it's not surprising that the new CEO of Indian market leader Simpa Networks is a former CFO and banker - Piyush Mathur.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/simpa-networks-and-its-solar-every-indian-rooftop-vision
A joint Call to Action in Zimbabwe
In a joint ‘Call to Action’, the Government of Zimbabwe, Private Sector and Civil Society Make Bold Commitments to Build the Distributed Renewable Energy Market and Accelerate Progress towards Universal Energy Access
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/zimbabwe/joint-call-action-zimbabwe
Power for All Report Pinpoints Policies to Accelerate Energy Access for 1 Billion Rural Poor
April 4, 2017—A groundbreaking report released today by Power for All identifies the five most important national energy policies needed to end electricity poverty for approximately 1 billion rural poor (mostly living in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia), and outlines the steps governments can take to implement those policies, in particular the integration of decentralized renewable (also known as distributed or “off-grid”) solutions into energy infrastructure planning and build-out.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-power-all-report-pinpoints-policies-accelerate-energy-access-1-billion-rural-poor
Act Now
To change the energy access trajectory we need to reach a huge audience: everyone from politicians to professors, energy users to investment bankers, local women's’ groups to tribal leaders. Help us spread the message and get this report in front of as many people as possible. While the traditional utilities have the cash, institutional reach and political influence, we have people power.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/act-now
Campaign Update: April 2017
New York, 3-5 April, Sustainable Energy for All Forum Power for All's advocacy and communications team joined the forum to launch our latest Call to Action, meet with partners and to hear the latest developments in energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-april-2017
Fact Sheet: Tracking Energy Access Targets
Over 1.2 billion people worldwide live in energy poverty, yet many governments are missing key opportunities to use targets and policies to catalyze rural electrification and rapidly increase access to decentralized renewable energy solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-tracking-energy-access-targets
Catalyzing National Action
Our Call to Action has been executed at the national level in Sierra Leone, Zimbabwe and Nigeria through bringing together stakeholders to make commitments to accelerate distributed renewable energy (DRE). Here are some highlights from the launch events:
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/catalyzing-national-action
Infographics
The policy environment for decentralized renewable energy plays a huge role in how fast electrification can proceed. This graph shows how many low energy access countries have enabling policies in place, and makes clear the logic behind our call for action.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/infographics
Promise to Progress: A Policy Call to Action
A Policy Roadmap for Clean, Rapid Rural Electricity Access
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/promise-progress-policy-call-action
Video: A Message to Policy-makers
Zimbabwe has a national electrification rate of 40%. Its ageing electricity grid infrastructure, which has suffered from years of underinvestment, is currently dependent on power imported from South Africa. Despite efforts being made to expand the grid’ generation capacity, population growth and energy demand are growing fast and the grid is failing to keep pace.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-message-policy-makers
Sierra Leone Makes Bold Commitments to Universal Energy Access
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, March 22, 2017—The Sierra Leone Government, civil society and private sector joined forces today in a Call to Action on energy access. At the event, attended by the Energy Minister and leading civil society and private sector representatives, each group made powerful commitments to undertake activities that will accelerate the growth of the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) market—vital for reaching 6 million people living in energy poverty.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/new-release-sierra-leone-makes-bold-commitments-universal-energy-access
Nigeria Launches Call to Action for DRE
The Government of Nigeria, civil society and private sector joined forces last week in a Call to Action on energy access. At the event, attended by Federal Ministry of Power Permanent Secretary, Engineer Louis Edozien, a range of companies, civil society organizations and the rural electrification agency made powerful commitments to undertake activities that will accelerate the growth of the distributed renewable energy (DRE) market—vital for reaching Nigeria’s unelectrified population, which has grown from 44 million to 75 million since 1990 (SE4ALL, 2015).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-nigeria-launches-call-action-dre
Nigeria Call to Action
Nigeria has one of the greatest energy access challenges in the world, with an unelectrified population of 75 million people (SE4ALL, 2015). Decades of policy focused on grid expansion have not only failed to deliver improvements in energy access; they have failed to keep up with population growth. The unelectrified population has grown from 44 million in 1990 to 75 million in 2015—an increase of 70%. The cost of the energy access deficit is huge, and is borne by households, businesses and the government.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/nigeria-call-action
Decentralized Renewables: From Promise to Progress
Despite the U.N.’s goal of ensuring access to affordable clean energy for all people by 2030, default approaches—primarily extending conventional electricity grids—are not meeting the needs of the one billion-plus energy impoverished, who largely live in rural areas.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/reports/decentralized-renewables-promise-progress
Designing Energy Markets of the Future
A Power for All survey of leading decentralized renewable energy (DRE) companies has revealed the practitioner's view of priority policies for market growth. Designed to complement a wider study on national policy and energy access—to be released on March 22—the survey captures insights from 23 DRE companies which, combined, provide pico-PV, solar home system (SHS) or mini-grid services to over 2.7 million households. Asked to rank the importance of policy instruments—national energy policy, financial policy and regulation, and technical regulation—in supporting their local business operations, the results provide front line insight into the policy actions needed to scale DRE and boost energy access. Check out the findings below, and stay tuned for the full report.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/designing-energy-markets-future
Sierra Leone Call to Action
Power for All worked with REASL to develop Sierra Leone’s first-ever recommendations from a renewable energy industry association, following a series of workshops focused on developing REASL’s governance structure, strategy and plans.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/sierra-leone-call-action
Bangladesh: scaling energy access and an IDCOL 2.0 vision for 100% RE
For two decades, Bangladesh has been the testing ground for using distributed solar to achieve energy access at scale. The main vehicle for this remarkable experiment has been the unremarkable-sounding Infrastructure Development Company Ltd. (IDCOL), which—in 2004—started to finance a Bangladesh solar home system (SHS) program using the innovative financial and technology packages I designed and implemented as the Founding Managing Director of Grameen Shakti in 1996. Today, this public-private partnership, backed initially by the World Bank and involving more than 60 NGOs and social enterprises, is anything but ordinary, having lifted up an entire generation.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/asia/bangladesh-scaling-energy-access-and-idcol-20-vision-100-re
India: National Access Target Good; National DRE Better; State DRE Best
India grabbed headlines in April 2015 when the Modi government pledged to achieve universal energy access, aka Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), in four years. It was and remains a world-leading commitment, and coupled with a 175 GW target for new clean power generation by 2022 (including 40 GW of grid-tied rooftop solar), it triggered a wave of new investment and market growth.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/india-national-access-target-good-national-dre-better-state-dre-best
Video: Africa Energy Indaba
The Power for All panel at the Africa Energy Indaba 2017 brought together some of the sharpest minds in the sector to ask: "How far and fast will distributed renewables go?". The result was a conversation that challenged the status quo.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-africa-energy-indaba
In Conversation with... Johanna Diecker
Exemptions from tariffs and taxes support young industries, attract companies to new markets, and enable them to reduce the cost of products for consumers—helping millions to access goods and services for the first time. In the energy world, exemptions from tariffs and VAT on decentralized renewable energy (DRE) products, are enabling companies to bridge the affordability barrier.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-johanna-diecker
Campaign Update: March 2017
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewable energy (DRE)—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/march-campaign-activities
New energy boss targets access, Africa as World Bank priorities
Riccardo Puliti, the newly appointed head of energy and extractives at the World Bank in charge of investing $8 billion a year, says that Africa and India will be the bank’s main focus, and he will pursue an all-of-the-above approach, with a major focus on natural gas and renewables, while coal will remain off limits.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/new-energy-boss-targets-access-africa-world-bank-priorities
Awareness & Action: Video & Visuals
Reaching new audiences, and engaging rural communities is not always easy—but these videos and visuals show how consumer awareness campaigns and materials have helped millions learn about clean distributed energy solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/awareness-action-video-visuals
Campaigning: 5 Levers for Change
Simple information-sharing—about technologies, business models and proven approaches to building the market—can lead to profound shifts in thinking and practice. Power for All’s Director of National Programs, Charlie Miller, has overseen the launch of national campaigns in Nigeria, Sierra Leone and Zimbabwe in the past 12 months. In this article, he shares five examples of how awareness-raising has accelerated decentralized renewable energy (DRE) market growth by creating behavior change.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/campaigning-5-levers-change
Change Minds, Activate Markets
In a recent Power for All survey of leading decentralized renewable energy (DRE) companies (stay tuned for full results in March), marketing campaigns were pinpointed as “crucial for raising awareness about the benefits” of DRE—with the majority of respondents ranking them first in importance for effective market building programs. In line with both research on reaching base-of-the-pyramid consumers, and the clear upward trajectory of energy access following consumer awareness campaigns, the survey results inspired us to look more closely at the question: What makes a successful DRE awareness campaign? Luckily, there are some impressive examples.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/change-minds-activate-markets
Images: Get Sharing!
Making the switch from a familiar energy source to a new solution is a significant commitment, so peer to peer endorsement and over-the-odds benefits are key. Thankfully, for solar lights and solar home systems, big benefits have led to big recommendation.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/images-get-sharing
Notes from the Frontline: Devergy
This week, Power for All partner Devergy shared an honest, tell-all look at the difficulties they faced when raising awareness of their solar micro-grid technology in rural communities, and the hard work they put in to creating solutions. Read their first-hand account of the challenges they countered attracting new customers, and how they have turned challenges into opportunity.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/notes-frontline-devergy
The best energy access video ever?
Judge for yourself. Watch and learn about the inspirational work by Global Himalayan Expedition in the remotest parts of India
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/best-energy-access-video-ever
Campaign Update: February 2017
Find out about recent activities, and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/february-campaign-activities
Women & Power: Female Entrepreneurs Join Nigeria’s Energy Revolution
“If I have 24 women as entrepreneurs using solar technology, I can earn double my earnings and double my business… I am considering becoming a distributor”, advised one of the attendees of last week’s “Economic Empowerment of Women through Decentralized Renewable Energy” workshop held in Abuja.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/women-power-female-entrepreneurs-join-nigerias-energy-revolution
Deutsche Bank joins Power for All campaign
Deutsche Bank AG, which recently received Green Climate Fund (GCF) financial support to launch a $3.5 billion debt fund for decentralized renewable energy, has joined the Power for All campaign.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-deutsche-bank-joins-power-all-campaign
Caterpillar Interview: Micro-Grid Challenges and Opportunities
With the reduced cost of renewable technologies and rising innovation, micro-grids are a growing opportunity in emerging markets, one which is already reducing fuel consumption, lowering emissions and driving energy access. It is an opportunity that has not been missed by Caterpillar.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/caterpillar-interview-micro-grid-challenges-and-opportunities
Extending the Horizon: Access to Finance and Kenya’s DRE Market
Our Director of Research, Dr. Rebekah Shirley, took a post-conference opportunity to explore the catalysts of growth in the Kenyan decentralized solar market. In this article, she shares key insights and reflections from KEREA, Steama.co, Azuri and Tropical Power.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/economics/extending-horizon-access-finance-and-kenyas-dre-market
Frontier Markets: Islands, Eagles, States
The buzz around decentralized renewable energy has so far mostly been in East Africa and South Asia, i.e. high-flying Kenya and massive India and Bangladesh. 2017 will see growth of decentralized energy into new frontiers. And thanks to Sustainable Energy for All (SEforAll), we now have a clearer picture of where the biggest opportunities for renewable energy to close the access gap are. The SEforAll “Heat Maps” identify the countries where the electricity deficit is highest, as well as the countries of high-impact for renewables penetration. If you overlay those, factor in which national governments are embracing decentralized renewables, then account for countries where finance and businesses are ready to scale, we have a pretty solid idea of what’s coming in terms of potential “new wins” for the sector in 2017, including:
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/frontier-markets-islands-eagles-states
Will 2017 Break the Billion $ Barrier?
The end of 2016 has seen a volley of investments in decentralized renewable energy (DRE) companies that will see the year out with a bang for the decentralized renewables sector, including $90 million investment into Lumos Global, a joint venture between Off Grid Electric and EDF, a $20 million investment in Fluidic, and an E14.6 million investment in Mobisol, following Investec Asset Management buying a stake in the company in October. It also saw the launch of two innovative—and potentially—game changing initiatives, a $100 million open fund for solar and storage, and the One for All campaign—an independent, global campaign to mobilize new investors to focus 1 percent of their assets on solutions to energy poverty.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/will-2017-break-billion-barrier
2017: Ones to Watch
No influencer is an island. It takes leadership across a sector to create a movement for change. Given the wealth of stakeholders who play key roles in the decentralized renewables sector, this list is by no way exhaustive, but it highlights a few of the individuals and organizations that will help to shape 2017
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/2017-ones-watch
Solar Road Show Brings the Energy Revolution to People Across Sierra Leone
FREETOWN, Sierra Leone, December 21, 2016—A series of solar fairs and activities were held across the country last week, and will continue in 2017. The “Solar Road Show” was held to raise awareness of the power of decentralized solar energy as part of the Sierra Leone Energy Revolution.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-solar-road-show-brings-energy-revolution-people-across-sierra-leone
New Deal Underway: AfDB launches $500 million Facility for Energy Inclusion
Great news out of Abidjan: the Board of the African Development Bank (AfDB) just approved a $100 million financing package to seed the Facility for Energy Inclusion (FEI), a $500 million pan-African renewable energy access debt fund. This investment approval is the first big step by the AfDB to deliver on its New Deal for Energy in Africa commitments for energy access through decentralized renewables.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-deal-underway-afdb-launches-500-million-facility-energy-inclusion
4 E's: Here Come the Utilities
Long filed under “corporate social responsibility” (CSR), 2017 will mark the year when decentralized renewable energy (DRE) attains legitimacy among the world’s leading utilities as a strategic, core business opportunity.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/4-es-here-come-utilities
Beyond Lighting: New Year, New Breakthroughs
“The interest we’re seeing in this round of the Global LEAP Awards, particularly in the innovation prize for off-grid refrigerators, is amazing.” A conversation with Matt Jordan, Director at CLASP, an NGO that leads several programs in support of the Global Lighting and Energy Access Partnership (Global LEAP), is like lifting the lid on a whole new world of possibility: the demand side of energy access, and specifically the role of high-quality, highly efficient appliances. 2017 looks set to be the year this giant market opportunity will burst out of strategy meetings and into the spotlight.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/beyond-lighting-new-year-new-breakthroughs
Building a Million-Strong Youth Workforce
A year ago we interviewed Dr. Kandeh Yumkella, the outgoing CEO of Sustainable Energy for All. Sharing his insights on levers for change, Dr. Yumkella listed the key elements vital for a shift to a low-carbon future. One such critical factor: training. To achieve universal access to clean power, he explained, we will need to create a new wave of “installers of solar household systems, LPG distributors, service providers and builders of the internet; so that solar systems and other systems will be proliferating in the millions in various economies”.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/building-million-strong-youth-workforce
X Learning: A 2017 Game Changer
In 2017, the African Development Bank (AfDB) will hold its annual meeting in India for the first time. The AfDB has targeted 75 million decentralized renewable connections in its plan to achieve universal energy access by 2025, while India has its sights on 40 GW of rooftop solar and 10,000 mini-grids in its bid to achieve “24/7 Power for All” by 2019. Imagine the learnings that the two have to share. Next year, also sees the International Solar Alliance (ISA) hit its stride, bringing together 20+ countries with a major focus on energy access through decentralized solutions, and opportunities for cross-learning are bolstered further under the Paris climate agreement plans for regional partnerships and technology transfer—a key to the low carbon transition.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/x-learning-2017-game-changer
First-of-Kind Solar Pilot in Sierra Leone
Microfinance institutions and renewable energy companies unite to launch first-of-its-kind household solar pilot
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-first-kind-solar-pilot-sierra-leone
News Release: Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria - Launched
Lagos, Nov. 24, 2016 -- Today industry leaders come together for the launch of the Renewable Energy Association of Nigeria (REAN) at the West African Power Industry Convention. The launch will be attended by guests from over 100 organizations working in, and supporting, the renewable energy sector in Nigeria.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-renewable-energy-association-nigeria-launched
The Future is Calling: Clean Energy Enterprises are Changing Customer Service in Africa
What are off-grid companies doing that many utilities aren’t? Putting the customer first.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/future-calling-clean-energy-enterprises-are-changing-customer-service-africa
News Release: Community and Civil Society Organizations join the quest to bring clean power to Sierra Leone
Freetown, Nov. 22, 2016 -- Today, community and civil society organizations came together to support the Sierra Leone Energy Revolution, and join the quest to bring clean solar power to all by 2025.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-community-and-civil-society-organizations-join-quest-bring-clean-power-sierra-leone
Guest Post: Unlocking Solar Conference Africa, Thoughts from REAN
Hannah Kabir, REAN Member and CEO of Creeds Energy, shares insights on the Unlocking Solar Capital conference in this guest post.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/guest-post-unlocking-solar-conference-africa-thoughts-rean
Why the World Needs Decentralized Renewable Energy
Over 1 billion people do not have access to reliable, affordable electricity; they are often forced to turn to polluting, hazardous, and expensive solutions like kerosene, charcoal and diesel in order to fuel their lives.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/why-world-needs-decentralized-renewable-energy
5 Reasons Decentralized Renewables are a Trump Card for Climate Change and Energy Access
At COP22 the shock of last week’s unexpected election results has many worried that a Trump presidency could jeopardize climate finance and climate action. So it is a good time to remember why the global community, including the United States, must redouble its efforts in support of decentralized renewable energy (DRE). Here are 5 reasons:
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/5-reasons-decentralized-renewables-are-trump-card-climate-change-and-energy-access
From Policy to Implementation: Catalyzing Finance in Zimbabwe's DRE Market
“Grid extension is not the best way to reach communities in the rural areas, and the government is continually developing strategies and policies to support private sector investment and ensure a smooth process to facilitate energy access”. Eng. Steve Dihwa, the Principal Director of the Zimbabwe Ministry of Energy and Power Development kicked off a recent finance workshop in Harare by expressing his strong support for the decentralized renewable energy sector, and its key role in ending energy poverty for the 9 million Zimbabweans who currently lack energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/policy-implementation-catalyzing-finance-zimbabwes-dre-market
In Conversation with... Ellen Dorsey
“One For All” is a new civil society campaign that seeks to end energy poverty by ensuring universal access to clean, renewable, and affordable energy by 2030. Comprised of leaders from the global development, faith, philanthropy, women’s rights, and health sectors, One For All is inviting partners to help design and launch a global initiative to call upon mission driven investors to direct 1% of their assets in the form of grants and investment capital toward innovative projects that deliver clean, renewable, and affordable energy around the world.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-ellen-dorsey
Building Better: Why Decentralized Energy Increases Resilience
One of the most pronounced effects of a changing climate is the increase in extreme weather and other natural disasters such as hurricanes and wildfires. These disasters are not spread evenly: of the 30 countries most affected by changing weather, 26 are least developed countries. To put it another way, 423 million people living in extreme poverty are considered likely to experience the impacts of a changing climate. The tragic events of hurricane Matthew in Haiti are just the most recent example.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/economics/building-better-why-decentralized-energy-increases-resilience
Fact Sheet: Powering a Climate-Friendly Future
Kerosene lamps and oil-based generators are some of the most polluting power sources in the world—with small diesel gensets creating 2x as much CO2 as coal plants per kWh, and kerosene lights emitting 240 million tons of toxic black carbon—equal to the emissions of 80 coal power plants.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-powering-climate-friendly-future
Decentralized renewables: the front line against climate change
As climate negotiators gather in Marrakech for COP22, we must shine a spotlight on the world’s 1.1 billion people living without electricity, not only because they are the most vulnerable to climate change, but because they also offer a roadmap for the rest of the world on how to build a decentralized, democratized clean energy future. This roadmap would achieve universal energy access and, by 2030, eliminate a gigaton of CO2e each year—equal to eliminating the emissions of Germany, the world’s 4th largest economy.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/decentralized-renewables-front-line-against-climate-change
Graphic: Combating Climate Change
By 2030, replacing kerosene lamps and diesel generators with off-grid distributed renewables could save nearly a gigaton of CO2e each year—equal to the annual emissions of Germany, the world's 4th largest economy. Share this graphic and join our call for a cleaner, healthier future!
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/graphic-combating-climate-change
Video: The Case for Climate Optimism
"Bangladesh is now installing solar PV systems at the rate of two per minute, 24 hours a day". As part of his inspiring TED talk this year, Al Gore highlighted the key role of distributed solutions in ending energy poverty, and blazing the path to a sustainable future.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-case-climate-optimism
Decentralized solar is on fire in India
Small and rooftop solar is the fastest growing clean energy sector in India, with a blistering 92 percent compound annual growth rate over the past four years, according to a report from Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF) released today. The segment will continue to see high growth rates, given ambitious government targets (40GW of rooftop solar by 2020), specific rooftop solar policy in most states including net-metering, new business models being tried by entrepreneurial companies and an increasing availability of debt and equity, the report said.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/decentralized-solar-fire-india
November: Campaign Update
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/november-campaign-update
Kenya's 2020 Target Fires up Market
Kenya’s recently issued target of universal energy access by 2020 has galvanized the decentralized energy market, with companies looking to capitalize on Kenya’s rapid growth. The latest entrant is Berlin-based company Mobisol, who announced plans to open in the East African hub, along with an influx of new equity financing to fuel the expansion.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/kenya/kenyas-2020-target-fires-market
In Conversation with... Minister Henry Macauley
On 10 May, Sierra Leone launched a pioneering energy revolution to get 250,000 solar lighting and energy products to households and businesses in the country by the end of 2017, and achieve modern energy for all by 2025.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-minister-henry-macauley
News Release: Sierra Leone Reports Progress with "Energy Revolution" Campaign
Freetown, Oct 28, 2016 -- The Government of Sierra Leone today provided an update on the progress of its Energy Revolution initiative to supply basic power to all of its citizens by 2025.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-sierra-leone-reports-progress-energy-revolution-campaign
Market intelligence report for first half of 2016
The most recent market intelligence report from Lighting Global, the World Bank Group’s platform to support sustainable growth of the international off-grid solar market, and GOGLA, the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association, has again shown rapid growth and change in the sector.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/market-intelligence-report-first-half-2016
Africa’s Leading Mini-Grid Initiative Reports Key Findings
The leading mini-grid program in Africa today released its first findings after nearly two years of deployment in Kenya.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/africas-leading-mini-grid-initiative-reports-key-findings
Mini-Grid Momentum on the Rise
Last week saw the launch of the new Africa Development Bank Green Mini-Grid (GMG) Help Desk to build momentum behind the continent’s clean energy development. The Help Desk—operated by Energy4Impact and INENSUS GmbH as part of the SE4All Green Mini Grid Market Development Program—provides catalytic support to the GMG sector. The launch comes as new research anticipates a 60% reduction in the cost of solar PV mini-grids, and as policy-maker support for GMGs has seen rapid growth around the world—notably in India and Nigeria, the countries with the world’s largest number of people living without electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/mini-grid-momentum-rise
100+ Partners Driving Power for All
London, Oct. 12, 2016 - Power for All, a global campaign to radically accelerate the adoption of renewable, decentralized energy solutions and eradicate energy poverty, announced today that it surpassed its pledge to recruit 100 civil society and private sector partners. The achievement signifies the increasingly important role that rooftop solar and renewable energy micro-grids will have in achieving universal energy access before 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/100-partners-driving-power-all
Fact Sheet: Keeping Families Healthy & Safe
This month, we begin the first in a series of "Powering Development" Fact Sheets to profile the wide-ranging impacts of distributed renewables.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-keeping-families-healthy-safe
Image: We Support Power for All
'Reaching Power for All will take the Action of Many. And without those who form our campaign—practitioners, advocates, villagers, officials, funders—we can't succeed. To celebrate everyone who is working to achieve energy access, and to mark reaching our 100 partner milestone, we have created a shareable image. We hope you will use it, and join us in demanding that energy access does not have to wait!
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/image-we-support-power-all
In Conversation with... Desh Deepak Verma
Desh Deepak Verma, Chairman of the Uttar Pradesh Electricity Regulatory Commission tells us how local communities are already championing clean energy mini-grids and why he is urging a shift to decentralized renewables.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-desh-deepak-verma
New fund to propel decentralized renewables into mainstream
An industry knows it has gone mainstream when the most risk-averse money—institutional investors such as pension funds, insurance companies, banks, hedge funds, endowments—starts to move in. It looks like that's about to happen for decentralized renewable energy—home and business rooftop solar, mini-grids—in emerging economies like Africa.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/new-fund-propel-decentralized-renewables-mainstream
Power to the People
Decentralized renewable energy will not achieve its full potential in helping end energy poverty unless two things happen: 1. we measure access through a lens of providing “services” (not just megawatts or number of connections) and 2. we harness the power of the poor themselves to shape their energy future. These are the conclusions from the just released Poor People’s Energy Outlook 2016 from Practical Action, an in-depth look at the needs of energy poor communities (households, businesses and social services).
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/power-people
Sierra Leone Energy Revolution Picks up Pace
Innovative financing proposals and local media support for energy access were the outcomes of two workshops held in Sierra Leone to propel the Energy Revolution. At the events, Power for All brought together stakeholders to drive engagement and collaboration in support of the country’s efforts to help families and businesses gain energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/sierra-leone-energy-revolution-picks-pace
Nigerian Ministries, Departments & Agencies Get Behind Energy Access Drive
Nearly 70 participants from 25 government ministries, department and agencies (MDAs) joined a workshop hosted by Power for All and its partners to share knowledge on policies, programs, opportunities and challenges in the decentralized renewable energy (DRE) sector.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/nigerian-ministries-departments-agencies-get-behind-energy-access-drive
Campaign Update: October 2016
Find out about recent activities and the upcoming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/october-campaign-activities
Zimbabwe: Solar Fair Success
To accelerate access to distributed clean energy in Zimbabwe, Power for All, together with partners including SNV, Practical Action, Zero, Hivos and the Renewable Energy Association of Zimbabwe held a Solar Fair at Domboshava, 29km outside Harare.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/zimbabwe-solar-fair-success
A New “P2P” Grid for Energy Access Emerges in Bangladesh
ME SOLshare is piloting a new business model in Bangladesh that hopes to leverage the country’s explosion of household solar into a peer-to-peer (P2P) utility. Instead of developing mini-grids or installing more rooftop systems, the start-up hopes to tap into the existing 4–5 million home systems that are already widely deployed in rural areas.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/new-p2p-grid-energy-access-emerges-bangladesh
Regulator: India's rural electrification a fiction; solution must include mini-grids
The chief electricity regulator in India's most populous state, Uttar Pradesh (UP), has said out loud what many have been saying behind closed doors for a while: India's very high-profile campaign to extend its electric grid nationally by 2019 and provide energy access to every Indian, is distorting the reality on the ground. Desh Deepak Verma, whose UP Electricity Regulatory Commission (UPERC) is responsible for serving 200 million people, said claims of rapid advances in electrification, especially in hard to reach rural areas, must come under scrutiny.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/asia/regulator-indias-rural-electrification-fiction-solution-must-include-mini-grids
Building a global green economy requires Zambia x100
The latest Global Green Economy Index (GGEI) showed that Zambia is crushing it. The country moved up 16 places in the performance rankings between 2014 and 2016, making it the only emerging economy to be in the top 10 besides Brazil.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/building-global-green-economy-requires-zambia-x100
News Release: LOCAL Banks explore ways to support the Sierra Leone Energy Revolution
22 SEPTEMBER 2016: Today, representatives from all commercial banks and micro-finance institutions in Sierra Leone join officials from the government and members of the Renewable Energy Association in a workshop to establish ways the financial sector can help to catalyze the household solar market to accelerate energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-local-banks-explore-ways-support-sierra-leone-energy-revolution
News Release: Powering Energy Access
21 SEPTEMBER 2016: Today, 25 media houses join a workshop to learn about decentralized solar technologies and how they will help to bring clean, modern energy services to millions of people across Sierra Leone.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-powering-energy-access
Off-Grid Fridge Contest Makes Energy Efficiency "Cool" Again
The 1.4 billion domestic refrigerators and freezers in use worldwide each consume an average annual 450 kWh of electricity, accounting for almost 14 percent of total household electricity consumption. As we work to end energy poverty for 1.1 billion people worldwide, those numbers are sure to rise.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/grid-fridge-contest-makes-energy-efficiency-cool-again
Fact Sheet: Making Energy Access Affordable
One of the main barriers to energy access is affordability. Decentralized renewable technologies are bringing clean energy to millions of people at a fraction of the cost.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-making-energy-access-affordable
Guest Post: 5 Lessons from Kenya’s Energy Access Boom
Kenya’s market for decentralized renewables is the fastest moving in Africa. Already 15-20 percent of Kenyan households use solar lighting and the country is home to a pioneering green mini-grids program, thousands of biodigesters and 3,000MW of micro-hydro systems. I was recently invited to share Kenya’s experiences on this rapid expansion with policy-makers in Zimbabwe, as both our countries work to achieve universal energy access by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/kenya/guest-post-5-lessons-kenyas-energy-access-boom
Infographic: Why we need a decentralized revolution
To meet Sustainable Development Goal 7—clean, affordable, modern energy for all—by 2030 we need a 'revolution' in progress towards the universal energy access target. This infographic, based on data and analysis by the Overseas Development Institute, is a stark illustration of how far we are off track. But decentralized solutions—such as mini-grids and solar home systems—are key to closing the energy access progress gap, and will ensure that 1+ billion people are not left behind.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/infographic-why-we-need-decentralized-revolution
SDG7: one year in, are we on the right path?
In a wake up call to national and international decision makers, the Overseas Development Institute (ODI) examined the projected progress of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and found that a 'revolution' is needed to achieve SDG7—clean, affordable, modern energy for all—by 2030. Grading the progress towards SDG7 a ‘D’ (two above a reversal in progress), ODI researchers calculated that the rate of change must be between 3-4 times faster to meet the universal energy access target. A business-as-usual approach will leave a billion people without power in 2030, with the total absolute number of people without electricity in Africa increasing, rather than decreasing.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/sdg7-one-year-are-we-right-path
September: Campaign Activities
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/september-campaign-activities
Energy Gang Podcast: Are We Really Solving Global Energy Poverty?
With a 'business as usual' approach to energy access we are anticipated to have more people living in energy poverty in 2030 than we do today.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/energy-gang-podcast-are-we-really-solving-global-energy-poverty
Michael Liebreich: 3 Trends in Decentralized Renewables and a Revolution
Michael Liebreich, founder of Bloomberg New Energy Finance, is a pioneer in the renewable energy industry and an inspirational evangelist for the ongoing global energy transition.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/michael-liebreich-3-trends-decentralized-renewables-and-revolution
Market Maturing for Tanzania Mini-Grids
East Africa is a leader in the decentralized renewable energy revolution, and along with India it is the most closely watched market as it relates to scaling mini-grids. This is especially true of Tanzania. What happens in Tanzania will have implications for the success of mini-grids elsewhere.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/market-maturing-tanzania-mini-grids
Campaign Update: July 2016
Power for All will host a media workshop for Zimbabwe press and media to provide an overview of the decentralized renewables sector, highlight the impact of clean energy technologies and profile local organisations and enterprises working to increase energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-august-2016
Fact Sheet: A Faster Road to Energy Access
Energy underpins progress, and is critical for achieving every one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Yet at the current rate—and with traditional power plants taking years to build—universal energy access could take until 2080. Rapidly deployable decentralized renewables can help reach energy goals much faster.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/fact-sheet-faster-road-energy-access
In Conversation with... Leigh Vial
Is Nigeria on the cusp of an energy access explosion? The award-winning Solar Nigeria program has already powered 172 schools and 11 health centers and is now working with private partners to bring solar to over 2.5 million homes.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-leigh-vial
Insight: 5 World-Changing Energy Access Innovations
Energy access is not just about powering homes and businesses, but creating the energy needed to meet every one of our Sustainable Development Goals. These pioneering decentralized renewable solutions have the potential to plug billions into the information age, combat the biggest global threat to children's health and provide clean water to millions. Check out these five innovations that could help change the world.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/insight-5-world-changing-energy-access-innovations
The Power of Partnership
From 1,000 communities powered by micro-hydro in Nepal, to over 4 million families electrified with solar home systems in Bangladesh, innovative partnerships are creating big change.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/power-partnership
When Governments Bring Partners Together, Markets Flourish
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon, who himself grew up studying under the smoky flame of a kerosene light, called energy the golden thread that “connects economic growth, social equity, and environmental sustainability", underpinning every one of the Sustainable Development Goals. Our recent Power for All report, Decentralized Renewables: The Fast Track to Energy Access, highlighted the opportunity cost of waiting to bring power to communities and businesses through traditional energy infrastructure; centralized grid solutions can take up to a decade to come online. Whilst more research is needed to fully understand the foregone benefits that result from centralized grid-only approaches, pioneering governments aren’t waiting. They are seeing the benefits of rapid deployment of decentralized solutions for schools, hospitals and community buildings. Innovative programs are increasing impact by meeting public sector needs whilst jump starting private sector markets for decentralized renewable energy (DRE) at the same time.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/when-governments-bring-partners-together-markets-flourish
Workshop: Zimbabwe Editor Training
On July 29th, Power for All Zimbabwe held an editor's training workshop to showcase the impact of decentralized renewables on homes and businesses, and provide knowledge about the local and global industry. Chiedza Mazaiwana, our in-country Campaign Manager, addressed 10 Senior Editors and Producers from various media outlets in Zimbabwe.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/workshop-zimbabwe-editor-training
Workshop: Sierra Leone Compact and Energy Revolution
On Thursday 28 July, Power for All Sierra Leone held a successful workshop to further familiarize government officials with the Sierra Leone compact and Energy Revolution targets and activities, and build awareness of the decentralized renewable sector. The workshop particularly focussed on the actions and ownership needed to streamline the importation of solar products, a key part of the country’s plans to catalyse the decentralized solar market and increase access to energy services.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/workshop-sierra-leone-compact-and-energy-revolution
Decentralized Renewables & The Rise of the Micro-Enterprise Economy
Decentralized renewable energy has traditionally been under-estimated in emerging markets as only being capable of delivering electricity for home use, and then mostly for basic lighting. “Productive use”—creating goods and services either directly or indirectly for the production of income or value—has been more elusive.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/decentralized-renewables-rise-micro-enterprise-economy
In Conversation with... Erica Mackey
We were excited to catch up with of Erica Mackey, COO and co-Founder of Off-Grid Electric, to hear the latest on the company's pioneering work to catalyze enterprise with their—just launched—'business in a box', 'Light Riders' motorcycle team, M-Power Academy and more.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-erica-mackey
Campaign Update: July 2016
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-july-2016
Take Action: Get Sharing!
With 20% more income than the average wage, the female solar engineers of Zanzibar are shining a light on the way decentralized renewables are powering livelihoods—and you can too. Check out these social-media-friendly images, and get sharing!
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/take-action-get-sharing
Webinar: What's ahead for decentralized renewables?
In this webinar, hosted by the Clean Energy Solutions Center, we join forces with REN21 to profile key findings of the 2016 Global Status Report, share updates on the Power for All campaign, and answer questions on the Sierra Leone Energy Revolution, Energy Africa compacts and more.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/webinar-whats-ahead-decentralized-renewables
Generation2030: A Powerful Problem
More than 600 million people in Africa live without electricity, and in just 15 years energy will be needed for another 500 million more as the population soars. Nigeria alone could be home to nearly 1 billion people by 2100, with Africa home to five billion.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/generation2030-powerful-problem
Call to Action: Letter to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina
Power for All and 24 partners and allies from across the decentralized energy sector have sent a letter to Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), urging him to fill the newly created role of Vice President, Power, Energy and Green Growth—who will lead the Transformative Partnership on Energy—with an "outside-the-box" thinker who has a keen understanding of new business models and the vital role that innovative, distributed renewable technologies must play in achieving universal energy access. The letter comes after Power for All found that knowledge of distributed energy solutions was not highlighted in the role-criteria which the Bank recently advertised in the Economist.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/call-action-letter-dr-akinwumi-adesina
New Markets, New Opportunities
Increasingly off-grid solar enterprises are creating big impact and significant sales outside the more established markets of East Africa and Asia. Power for All were fortunate to host a panel of expert speakers at the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association Annual General Meeting 2016 to learn about the opportunities and challenges of operating in Nigeria, Zimbabwe and Mozambique.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/new-markets-new-opportunities
Is AfDB’s new deal on energy forgetting decentralized?
In an advert this week in The Economist, the African Development Bank posted an opening for a Vice President of Power, Energy and Green Growth (VP of PEGG), who it said “will champion the New Deal on Energy for Africa and will lead the Transformative Partnership on Energy for Africa to achieve universal energy access in Africa.” Great news, right?
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/africa/afdbs-new-deal-energy-forgetting-decentralized
India's leading mini-grid program shows momentum
The leading renewable energy mini-grid effort in India is showing promising initial results. The Rockefeller Foundation’s USD 75 million Smart Power for Rural Development (SPRD) initiative aims to catalyze economic development by accelerating access to electricity in 1,000 villages in India through promoting a robust and viable mini-grid sector. The Foundation established a wholly-own subsidiary, Smart Power India, to provide support services to energy service companies (ESCOs) to establish mini-grid projects in India. The initiative expects to have 100 plants up and running by end of this month, producing 3 MW of power. As of April, the program had 7,600 customers, with over 90% on-time collection efficiency.
https://www.powerforall.org/countries/india/indias-leading-mini-grid-program-shows-momentum
Campaign Update: May 2016
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-june-2016
EnergyAccessX: Driving the Energy Future
Clean Energy Ministerial 7 (CEM7), held last week in San Francisco, was historic for a number of reasons—none more so than it was the first CEM to integrate decentralized renewable energy (DRE or DR energy) on the “main stage” of global energy supply conversations via EnergyAccessX.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/energyaccessx-driving-energy-future
From Unicorns to Black Swans... EnergyAccessX in pictures
A unicorn on a black swan on Mars? A unique mix of entrepreneurs, thought leaders, technologists, designers and policy experts from around the world came together at EnergyAccessX on June 1, a Clean Energy Ministerial parallel program—and with so many original thinkers in the room, there was no holding back with ideas!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/unicorns-black-swans-energyaccessx-pictures
In Conversation with... Justin Guay
We were lucky to catch Justin Guay, Program Officer for the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, to ask him about the groundbreaking initiatives launched this week by the Indian and US government—in collaboration with leading foundations including Packard—which aim to leverage up to $1 billion in finance for beyond the grid energy solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-justin-guay
Video: African Development Bank Call to Action
Following the launch of our latest report Decentralized Renewables: The Fast Track to Energy Access at the African Development Bank Annual General Meetings, Aaron Leopold, Deputy Director of Global Advocacy spoke live from Lusaka to CNBC Africa, while Cheidza Mazaiwana, Zimbabwe Campaign Director, highlighted to Business Incorporated how decentralized renewables are combating the country's energy crisis. Watch the interviews below and join the call to action.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-african-development-bank-call-action
Video: Clean Energy Horizons
At the Global Off-Grid Lighting Association (GOGLA) annual meeting in Nairobi in May, we interviewed a number of experts—including leaders from BBOXX, d.light, International Finance Corporation, Solar Kiosk and Zonful—about opportunities they see on the horizon.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/video/video-clean-energy-horizons
From Ladders to Staircases: Is this the future of energy access?
In the run up to the much anticipated Ashden Awards 2016 on Thursday June 9, the Ashden Conference 2016 is held today to explore the question: Moving up the energy ladder: how can we amplify electricity access? On her way to the event we caught up with Kat Harrison, Associate Director of Impact at Acumen and co-manager of the United Nations Capital Development Fund’s (UNCDF) CleanStart Programme Energy Ladder research, to learn more.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/ladders-staircases-future-energy-access
News Release: Power for All Releases New Framework for Accelerating Energy Access
Lusaka, May 25, 2016 -- At the African Development Bank (AfDB) annual meeting today, Power for All released a new framework for achieving universal energy access before 2030, which outlines specific actions multilateral development banks (MDBs) can and should take to expedite delivery of electricity to the 1.1 billion people living without access to modern energy services. The framework, which was previewed at the World Bank Spring Meetings in April, is contained in a report titled “Decentralized Energy: the Fast-Track to Universal Energy Access”.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-power-all-releases-new-framework-accelerating-energy-access
The race is on for energy access in Africa
Your voice needs to be heard. With the release of Power for All’s new report, “Decentralized Renewables: The Fast Track to Energy Access”, we ask that you join in our call to action by sharing these infographics on Twitter and Facebook, calling on the African Development Bank to take steps to accelerate energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/race-energy-access-africa
Decentralized Renewables: The Fast Track to Universal Energy Access
Seeking the fastest path to universal energy access, Power for All has identified three specific courses of action that Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) can pursue in support of decentralized renewables in order to accelerate clean energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/reports/decentralized-renewables-fast-track-universal-energy-access
Power for All talks to ZiFM
ZiFM joined Power for All at our national campaign launch in Zimbabwe. Check out their news report, with highlights from the keynote address by Mr Partson Mbiriri, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Energy and Power Development (0.5min), and an interview with National Programs lead, Charlie Miller, on the potential of decentralized renewables to help combat Zimbabwe's energy crisis (1.25min).
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/power-all-talks-zifm
Why is one of the world's richest countries deconstructing its grid?
Critics of "off-grid", or decentralized, energy like to say it is not "real" power. These critics prefer centralized energy solutions. But this preference is often both mis-guided and out-dated, especially as the global community attempts to achieve universal energy access by 2030 - i.e. provide electricity for the first time to 1.1 billion people worldwide. Most of those people are poor, and most live in remote areas. How - and when - they get electricity has massive implications - on climate impact, on economic development, on national security, on quality of life and also on energy infrastructure resilience and sustainability.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/dre-technologies/why-one-worlds-richest-countries-deconstructing-its-grid
Can Africa leapfrog to a smart energy system?
Speakers from the energy and financial world came together for a panel at the World Economic Forum on Africa, held in Rwanda this week, to discuss a new energy future. The consensus was clear: achieving universal energy access rapidly requires both centralized and decentralized solutions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/can-africa-leapfrog-smart-energy-system
Sierra Leone Launches Energy Revolution
President Ernest Bai Koroma opened Sierra Leone’s first-ever national conference on decentralized renewable energy yesterday, pledging energy access for all of the country’s seven million people in less than a decade. The goal, with a focus on household solar solutions, is part of the government’s post-Ebola recovery plan. Currently less than 12 percent of people in urban areas have access to modern energy, around one percent in rural regions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/sierra-leone-launches-energy-revolution
Power for All Launches in Zimbabwe
Power for All launched its national campaign in Zimbabwe at an event in Harare. In Zimbabwe, 86% of the rural population is unelectrified and, even in urban areas, stress on the grid leads to frequent power outages. The Power for All campaign aims to catalyze support for rapidly deployable decentralized renewables to accelerate energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/news-and-announcements/power-all-launches-zimbabwe
Energy Access: From Walk... To Talk... To Run
At the World Bank Spring Meetings this month Power for All launched a Call to Action for Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) to End Energy Poverty before 2030: #endenergypovertyfaster. Directors, Kristina Skierka, Christine Eibs Singer and William Brent conducted multiple meetings to advocate for decentralized renewable energy and showcase the “need for speed” in addressing energy poverty.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/energy-access-walk-talk-run
In Conversation with... Vivien Foster
Vivien Foster, the World Bank Global Lead for Energy Economics, Markets & Institutions talks to us about the Access Investment Model and how we can reach un-electrified communities faster and most affordably.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-vivien-foster
Power for All Perspective: Energy Access and the MDBs
Power for All is working with the University of California Berkeley on the PEAK—Platform for Energy Access Knowledge—initiative which is breaking down the latest data on energy access into easily shareable statistics and insights.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/fact-sheets/power-all-perspective-energy-access-and-mdbs
The Missing Link in Global Development: Energy Access Opportunity Costs
This article was originally printed in the World Post | 14 April 2016
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/economics/missing-link-global-development-energy-access-opportunity-costs
The Race is On
Join us by sharing these infographics and calling multilateral development banks to take radical steps to accelerate energy access. Together, we can #endenergypovertyfaster!
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/race
Campaign Update: April 2016
Find out about recent activities and the up-coming events where Power for All is profiling decentralized renewables—and get involved!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/campaign-updates/campaign-update-may-2016
News Release: Development Bank Call to Action
Power for All Launches Call to Action for Development Banks to End Energy Poverty before 2030
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/news-release-development-bank-call-action
Get Campaigning: #endenergypovertyfaster
With over one billion people living without clean, safe power the issue of energy poverty could not be more urgent.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/get-campaigning-endenergypovertyfaster
Get the Story: #endenergypovertyfaster
Today, April 14, Power for All launched a Call to Action at the World Bank Spring Meetings urging multilateral development banks (MDBs) to help radically accelerate the pace of energy access for the 1.1 billion people living in energy poverty.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/get-story-endenergypovertyfaster
Join the Conversation: #endenergypovertyfaster
Today, April 14, at the World Bank/IMF Spring Meetings 2016, Power for All issued a Call to Action urging multilateral development banks (MDBs) to accelerate the pace of energy access by taking three key steps:
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/events/join-conversation-endenergypovertyfaster
Share the message: #endenergypovertyfaster
Every day that families are trapped in energy poverty, there is a huge cost; a billion people lose out on the health, education, and opportunity that comes with access to clean, affordable power. Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) have much needed goals to end energy poverty but still focus most of their energy funding on projects that take many years to complete. Rapidly deployable decentralized renewables can bring energy access to millions much quicker.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/articles/share-message-endenergypovertyfaster
Call to Action: Letter to Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President, World Bank
Power for All and 24 partners and allies from across the decentralized energy sector have issued a letter to Dr. Jim Yong Kim, President of the World Bank Group, urging him to ensure that the successor to Anita Marangoly George, the Senior Director of Energy and Extractives Global Practice, has a strong understanding of new business models and innovative, disruptive technologies such as decentralized renewables. Ms George recently retired and her replacement is currently being sought.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/calls-to-action/call-action-letter-dr-jim-yong-kim-president-world-bank
First-of-Its-Kind Energy Access Research Project Launched
We are excited to announce a new partnership between Power for All and the the University of California, Berkeley’s Renewable and Appropriate Energy Laboratory (RAEL)—an energy research and international deployment center— to build a Platform for Energy Access Knowledge (PEAK).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/press-releases/first-aeuraeur-its-aeuraeurkind-energy-access-research-project-launched
Clean Energy is Changing the Gender Equation
Today women are taking a lead in clean energy access, with nearly a quarter of solar jobs in the US going to women and female solar engineers in Zanzibar able to earn 20 percent more than the average monthly wage. Share this infographic to highlight how women are powering clean energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/clean-energy-changing-gender-equation
In Conversation with... Sheila Oparaocha
Sheila Oparaocha, Programme Manager of ENERGIA—a network of organizations addressing gender and energy issues—and a member of the Power for All Steering Committee talks to us about the critical role of women in achieving energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/audios/conversation-sheila-oparaocha
India: All Homes Electrified by 2019
Is it now or never for decentralized renewable energy in India?
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/images-graphics/india-all-homes-electrified-2019
"New Deal" for Energy in Africa a Big Deal for Off-Grid
During the recent World Economic Forum in Davos, the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Dr. Akinwumi Adesina, unveiled details of a hugely ambitious “New Deal for Energy in Africa”, which, if fully implemented, has the potential to fundamentally reshape the continent. The New Deal brings together a “transformative partnership”, including the Africa Energy Leaders Group, the Sustainable Energy Fund for Africa, SE4All, Power Africa and the U.K.’s Energy Africa Campaign. Between now and 2025 it aims to use public-private partnerships for innovative financing to add 205 million more connections to the electricity infrastructure. Of that number, 130 million will be on-grid connections, a 160% increase, while 75 million will be off-grid connections—a stunning 20 fold increase from today. It also envisions an increase in access to clean cooking for 130 million households.
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/energy-policy/new-deal-energy-africa-big-deal-grid
The Energy Access Imperative
There is a better path to universal energy access: market-based distributed solutions that directly engage the energy impoverished in creating their own (renewable) energy and controlling their own destinies.
https://www.powerforall.org/resources/reports/energy-access-imperative