All Podcasts
Female Micro-preneurs Fighting Poverty with Clean Energy
How can women in India and Nepal be empowered as micro-entrepreneurs to combat poverty, promote gender equality, and increase access to renewable energy?
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/female-microentrepreneurs-fighting-poverty-clean-energy
A win-win for improved energy access
Is access to mini-grids for productive use translating to improved lives for end users? What does this journey look like for customers who gain access to energy?
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/win-win-improved-energy-access
Powering Agriculture with Renewable Energy: A Conversation with Michael Maina of CLASP
In our latest Power for All Podcast, we delve into making farming more productive and sustainable through renewable energy technologies. Our guest, Michael Maina from CLASP, discusses Productive Use of Energy (PUE) technologies in agriculture, including solar water pumps, walk-in cold rooms, refrigerators, and egg incubators.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/powering-agriculture-renewable-energy-conversation-michael-maina-of-clasp-1
Cooling Breakthrough: Conversation w. Ian Tansley, SureChill Founder
SureChill's cutting-edge refrigeration technology, developed by engineer Ian Tansley with 35+ years of renewable energy expertise, has revolutionized cooling systems by utilizing ice and water to maintain stable temperatures for extended periods.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/cooling-breakthrough-conversation-ian-tansley-founder-of-surechill
South African energy economist predicts tough year ahead
In our first podcast for 2023, Lungile Mashele, an Energy Economist who works for the largest asset manager in Africa, Public Investment Corporation, where she oversees energy projects, and provides technical appraisals on energy projects all over the continent, shared her thoughts on what is likely to trend in the energy sector in 2023.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/south-african-energy-economist-predicts-tough-year-ahead
Post-COP27 reflections with Olasimbo Sojinrin, COO at Solar Sister
In this last podcast for 2022, we reflect on the COP27 outcomes with Solar Sister Chief Operating Office Olasimbo Sojinrin.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/post-cop27-reflections-simbo-sojinrin-coo-solar-sister
In Conversation with Florence Nsubuga, Chief Operating Office at Uganda’s Power Utility, Umeme
In this podcast interview, Florence Nsubuga, Chief Operating Officer (COO) of Umeme Limited talks about Utilities 2.20. project. Led by Power for All, it unites centralized utilities and the decentralized renewable energy sector to end energy poverty faster.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-florence-nsubuga-chief-operating-office-ugandas-power-utility-umeme
Interview with Alessio Terzi, Author of Growth for Good: Reshaping Capitalism to Save Humanity from Climate Catastrophe.
In this episode, Power for All’s Director of Research, Carolina Pan, speaks to Alessio Terzi who is an Economist at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Economic and Financial Affairs. Alessio is also the author of a book titled, Growth for Good: Reshaping Capitalism to Save Humanity from Climate Catastrophe.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-alessio-terzi-author-of-growth-good-reshaping-capitalism-save-humanity-climate-catastrophe
Interview with Jennifer Anya, a Young Female Renewable Energy Advocate and Activist
In this podcast series commemorating International Youth Day, Jennifer Anya, a renewable energy operations manager at Husk Power Systems, speaks to Power for All’s Aashna Aggarwal on her journey and experiences as a young woman in the sector and the role of youth in championing the clean energy transition.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-jennifer-anya-young-female-renewable-energy-advocate-and-activist
Interview with John Paul Jose: Commemorating International Youth Day
Young people form a large part of the global population and that’s why it makes sense for them to be part of the climate change solutions, said John Paul Jose, a young climate change and social activist. He joined Power for All’s Matuba Mahlatjie for a special edition of Power for All’s podcast to commemorate International Youth Day.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-john-paul-jose-commemorating-international-youth-day
Interview with Jessica Stephens: AMDA Benchmarking Report
In this Power for All podcast, Jessica Stephens, the CEO of Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), in conversation with Power for All CEO Kristina Skierka, reflects on the recently released ‘Benchmarking Africa’s Minigrids report.’
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-jessica-stephens-amda-benchmarking-report
Interview with REN21’s Laura Williamson: Energy Crisis Sets Backs Clean Energy Transition
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, our Africa Communication Director, Matuba Mahlatjie talks with Laura Williamson, who is responsible for directing the membership and institutional partnership work at REN21 on their recently launched Renewables 2022 Global Status Report. Laura notes that while there is the ambition and desire for energy transition, it is not being backed by the necessary action and policies to make that shift happen
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-ren21s-laura-williamson-energy-crisis-sets-backs-clean-energy-transition
Interview with Ifeoma Malo on Power for All’s Seventh Anniversary
Our CEO, Kristina Skierka, reflects on seven years of Power for All's ending energy poverty campaign with Ifeoma Malo, the co-founder and CEO of Clean Technology Hub, which focuses on rural electrification and renewable energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-ifeoma-malo-power-alls-seventh-anniversary
Interview with Prof Dan Kammen on PayGo, a Disruptive Tool for Just Energy Transitions
In this podcast interview, Kristina Skierka, Founder and CEO of Power for All, speaks with Dan Kammen, a Professor of Energy at the University of California, Berkeley, on the social and technological innovations that have transformed the renewable energy sector over the years including the PayGo business model that is driving a just energy transition.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-prof-dan-kammen-paygo-disruptive-tool-just-energy-transitions
Interview with Alice Goodbrook on Energy Catalyst’s Support for Innovations to End Energy Poverty.
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Kristina Skierka, Founder and CEO of Power for All, speaks with Alice Goodbrook, Innovation Lead for Energy Catalyst on the Energy Catalyst program, which funds private sector innovation and energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-alice-goodbrook-energy-catalysts-support-innovations-end-energy-poverty
Inspiring Women Leaders in Renewable Energy: Dr Debra Rowe
Our guest in this special episode paying homage to women leaders in the sector is Dr Debra Rowe, the President of the U.S. Partnership for Education for Sustainable Development. Dr Rowe says her career has been dominated by fulfling the need to give people information so that they can move out of energy poverty, and also ensure that they can own their own energy or at the very least, access affordable energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-inspiring-women-leaders-renewable-energy-dr-debra-rowe
Podcast: Inspiring Women Leaders in Renewable Energy: Emily McAteer
In the special episode paying homage to women leaders in the sector, our guest is Emily McAteer, Co-founder and CEO at Odyssey Energy Solutions. She says investors are starting to fund women-led projects in the renewable energy sector. McAteer says this is a good sign that things are changing for the better for women in the male-dominated sector. However, efforts to address biases should be intensified.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-inspiring-women-leaders-renewable-energy-emily-mcateer
Inspiring Women Leaders in Renewable Energy: Lucia Wamala
In this special podcast celebrating inspiring women leaders in renewable energy, we feature Lucia Wamala, Founder and CEO of Bakulu Power. She shares on on her journey into the DRE sector and the importance of gender equity in energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/inspiring-women-leaders-renewable-energy-lucia-wamala
Inspiring Women Leaders in Renewable Energy: Jennye Greene
In this special podcast celebrating inspiring women leaders in renewable energy, we feature Jennye Greene, an expert on energy access. She speaks on her journey into the DRE sector and the importance of gender equity in energy access. Jenny says as the renewable energy sector grows, there has to be deliberate efforts to ensure gender diversity. Conscious choices have to be made to make that happen!
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/inspiring-women-leaders-renewable-energy-jennye-greene
Interview with Dr. Arunabha Ghosh: 2022 Top Energy Access Trends
In this podcast episode, Dr. Ghosh, the founder and CEO of Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), and Power for All CEO, Kristina Skierka continue to dissect our 2022 top trends for energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-dr-arunabha-ghosh-2022-top-energy-access-trends
Interview with Glenn Pearce-Oroz: 2022 Clean Energy Access Trends
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Kristina Skierka speaks with Glenn Pearce-Oroz, Senior Director of International Relations and Special Projects at Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) on trends to watch out for in the Decentralized Renewable Energy (DRE) sector in 2022. At the beginning of every year, Power for All releases a trends report that highlights anticipated developments that will shape the sector in the year informed by feedback from a survey to partners on their predictions.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-glenn-pearce-oroz-2022-clean-energy-access-trends
Interview with Babatomiwa Bayo-Ojo: Promoting Healthcare Service Delivery in Nigeria
In this podcast, the focus is on the installation of mini-grids in Karu Primary Health Centre in Abuja, Nigeria, by Volsus Energy. It represents the Volsus Solar for Health (VSFH) mini-grid program which is targeting to install 5,000 units of mini-grids across health centers to improve healthcare delivery services in Nigeria.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-babatomiwa-bayo-ojo-promoting-healthcare-service-delivery-nigeria
Interview with Jay Taneja: Energy Equity
In this episode of the Power for All podcast which is a continuation of Power for All's integrated energy podcast series, Kristina Skierka, Founder and CEO of Power for All speaks with Jay Taneja, Assistant Professor at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, where he heads the Systems Towards Infrastructure Measurement and Analytics (STIMA) Lab.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/energy-equity-interview-jay-taneja
Interview with Mike Bess and Ankit Agarwal: Bioenergy for Sustainable Local Energy Services and Energy Access in Africa
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Anand Pathanjali speaks to Mike Bess and Ankit Agarwal from BESA 2 project on behalf of NIRAS LTS. NIRAS-LTS partnered with Aston University, E4tech and AIGUASOL for a two-year research project entitled ‘Bioenergy for Sustainable Local Energy Services and Energy Access in Africa - Phase 2’ (BSEAA2), part of the Transforming Energy Access (TEA) programme, funded by the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO). The TEA programme aimed to create innovative solutions for scaling up technologies and business models to support energy access in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-mike-bess-and-ankit-agarwal-bioenergy-sustainable-local-energy-services-and-energy-access-africa
Interview with Dan Klinck, CEO of East African Power
In this episode of the Power for All's Integrated Energy podcast series, Kristina Skierka, founder and CEO of Power for All speaks with Dan Klinck, CEO of East African Power, an integrated renewable energy development company delivering affordable clean energy in sub-Saharan Africa.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-dan-klinck-ceo-of-east-african-power
Interview with Richard Harrison (Smart Power Myanmar) & Sam Duby (TFE): Integrating DRE and Agriculture in Myanmar
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, William Brent speaks with Richard Harrison, the head of Smart Power Myanmar. Richard is joined by Sam Duby, research partner of Smart Power Myanmar, who is from TFE Energy. In support of this year's UN food system summit, this conversation is part of a special series on the critical link between food systems and decentralized renewable energy. This discussion aims to shed light on game-changing ideas in Africa and Asia that can help ensure sustainable energy for all, improve farmers' lives and support economic growth.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-richard-harrison-smart-power-myanmar-sam-duby-tfe-integrating-dre-and-agriculture-myanmar
Interview with Shaily Jha: Improving Women’s Productivity and Incomes through Clean Energy
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, a forum for leaders working to end energy poverty, Power for All speaks with Shaily Jha of the Council on Energy, Environment, and Water (CEEW). Shaily is CEEW’s energy access program lead, works in access to clean cooking with a focus on gender and social inclusion, leads the work on integrating a gender lens and empowering livelihoods, a USD 3 million initiative. The conversation is based on CEEW’s recent report -- Improving Women's Productivity and Incomes through Clean Energy in India.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-shaily-jha-improving-womens-productivity-and-incomes-through-clean-energy
Interview with Riccardo Ridolfi: The future of energy from a mini-grid perspective
In this episode of the Power for All podcast which is a continuation of the Power for All's integrated energy podcast series, Kristina Skierka, Founder and CEO of Power for All speaks with Riccardo Ridolfi, Chief Executive Officer of Equatorial Power: a mini-grid company that pioneered off-grid electrification and productive use with substantial business model innovation focused around closing the agro-processing value gap across rural Africa.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-riccardo-ridolfi-future-of-energy-mini-grid-perspective
Interview with Aaron Leopold: The Utilities 2.0 Twaake project
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Kristina Skierka, Founder and CEO of Power for All speaks with Aaron Leopold, Chief Executive Officer of EnerGrow, a Uganda based asset financing company that provides its customers with productive energy assets and training to rural and peri-urban businesses.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-aaron-leopold-utilities-20-twaake-project
Interview with Rajneesh Rana: Bulk procurement improves quality, reduces cost, and increases the uptake of off-grid appliances
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, William Brent speaks with Rajneesh Rana of Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL). In support of this year's UN food system summit, the conversation with EESL is part of a special series on the critical link between food systems and decentralized renewable energy. The discussion aims to shed light on game changing ideas in Africa and Asia that can help ensure sustainable energy for all, improve farmer's lives, and support economic growth.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-rajneesh-rana-bulk-procurement-improves-quality-reduces-cost-and-increases-uptake-of-grid-appliances
Interview with Kaushik Ramakrishnan: How can insurance unlock smallholder farmers’ access to renewable energy?
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, William Brent speaks with Kaushik Ramakrishnan, an expert working to transform and scale smallholder farming through innovative financial solutions. In support of this year’s UN Food Systems Summit, this podcast is part of a special series focused on the critical link between food systems and decentralized renewable energy, aimed at highlighting game-changing ideas in Africa and Asia that can help ensure sustainable energy for all and improve farmers’ lives.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-kaushik-ramakrishnan-how-can-insurance-unlock-smallholder-farmers-access-renewable-energy
Interview with Florence Nsubuga: Leading the Utility of the Future in Uganda
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Kristina Skierka, Founder and CEO of Power for All speaks with Florence Nsubuga, Chief Operating Officer of Umeme Ltd., Uganda’s largest distribution utility. Florence is also a team leader of the project Girls for Girls, a forum that empowers women between the ages of 15 and 35 years to become leaders in their own communities. The conversation aims to highlight the work of Umeme along with the opportunity of working together to end energy poverty and achieve universal energy access by 2030.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-florence-nsubuga-leading-utility-of-future-uganda
Interview with Dhruba Purkayastha: The Future of Distributed Renewable Energy in India
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Divya Kottadiel speaks with Dhurba Purkayastha, who leads the team at CPI in developing innovative finance and policy solutions in support of the government's renewable energy and green growth plans. He is also the director of US India Clean Energy Finance. The conversation centres around CPI’s recent report on the future of distributed renewable energy in India, which outlines the benefits and market potential of India's DRE sector, examines the current policy and institutional landscape and provides tailored recommendations for various stakeholders.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-dhruba-purkayastha-future-of-distributed-renewable-energy-india
Interview with Karan Sehgal: Game-changing solutions to spur ‘agripreneurship’ with renewable energy
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, William Brent speaks with Karan Sehgal, leading expert on Energy and Food Systems at the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).In support of this year’s UN Food Systems Summit, this podcast is part of a special series focused on the critical link between food systems and decentralized renewable energy, aimed at highlighting game-changing ideas in Africa and Asia that can help ensure sustainable energy for all and improve farmers’ lives.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-karan-sehgal-game-changing-solutions-spur-agripreneurship-renewable-energy
Interview with Raffaella Bellanca of the World Food Program: Energizing the School Feeding Program
In this interview, William Brent speaks to Raffaella Bellanca, leader in access to energy at the World Food Program (WFP), discussing a critical link between school feeding initiatives and decentralised renewable energy. In support of this year’s UN Food Systems Summit, this podcast is part of a special series focused on the critical link between food systems and decentralized renewable energy, aimed at highlighting game-changing ideas in Africa and Asia that can help ensure sustainable energy for all and improve farmers’ lives.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-raffaella-bellanca-of-world-food-program-energizing-school-feeding-program
Interview with Magda Moner & Sandor Szabo: Affordability of PV based electricity generation on rural electrification
In this episode, William Brent speaks with Magda Moner and Sandor Szabo, leading researchers in rural development and renewable energy at the European Commission’s Joint Research Centre and co authors of the research paper Mapping of Affordability Levels for Photovoltaic (PV) Based Electricity Generation in the Solar Belt of Sub-Saharan Africa, East Asia, and South Asia. They shed some light on the impact of their research on affordability of solar PV grids in rural electrification and why it is a more sustainable option.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-magda-moner-sandor-szabo-affordability-of-pv-based-electricity-generation-rural-electrification
On the Road to Ending Energy Poverty: Six years of Power for All
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, Anand Prabhu Pathanjali speaks with Kristina Skierka, founder and CEO of Power for All about the campaign’s six-year journey on the road to ending energy poverty.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/road-ending-energy-poverty-six-years-of-power-all
Solar as a Crop: Making the water-energy-food nexus profitable for smallholder farmers in India
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, we speak with Shilp Verma, a Researcher at the International Water Management Institute (IWMI), and a leading expert on the nexus of food, water, and solar energy.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/solar-crop-making-water-energy-food-nexus-profitable-smallholder-farmers-india
Interview with Todd Moss: Increasing Energy Access Ambition for Global Development
In this episode, William Brent speaks with Todd Moss, Founder and Executive Director of the Energy for Growth Hub and an expert on energy, finance, and foreign policy, on the recent launch of a new framework called the Modern Energy Minimum, or the Minimum, for short, which calls for a huge jump in ambition for what the global development community considers basic energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-todd-moss-increasing-energy-access-ambition-global-development
Investing in Scale: The opportunity at the nexus of food and energy
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, William Brent speaks with Seth Silverman and Morgan DeFoort of Factor[e] Ventures, a builder of companies working at the intersection of food and energy. This podcast is a series highlighting the critical link between food systems and decentralized renewable energy in support of this year’s UN Food Systems Summit.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/investing-scale-opportunity-nexus-of-food-and-energy
Roadmap for Impact: Financing Distributed Renewables Can Support Multiple Development Goals
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, we speak with Andrew Herscowitz, Chief Development Officer at the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), who has been deeply engaged on development issues for more than two decades. Before joining DFC, he was the coordinator of the Power Africa program where he oversaw the addition of 60 million new electricity connections across the continent.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/roadmap-impact-financing-distributed-renewables-can-support-multiple-development-goals
Going Beyond Solar: A Holistic Approach to Powering Rural Healthcare
In this episode of the Power for All podcast, William Brent speaks with Jeff Stottlemyer of CLASP’s Clean Energy Access program. COVID-19 has highlighted a silent humanitarian crisis that has persisted for far too long -- the fact that hundreds of millions of people in Africa and Asia are still served by rural health clinics that have no electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/going-beyond-solar-holistic-approach-powering-rural-healthcare
Podcast: Women at the frontlines of energy access
In this episode, we speak with Jescinta Izevbigie, Gender Manager at the Clean Cooking Alliance about the progress made and the challenges faced in promoting greater gender equality in the renewable energy sector, and more specifically in the clean cooking space.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-women-frontlines-of-energy-access
Podcast: Youth and Clean Energy Jobs
In this episode, Power for All’s William Brent speaks to Tracy Dolan, knowledge lead at EEP Africa, about clean energy innovation and employment, the challenges and opportunities in the sector, and the launch of the Rising Energy Leaders Award.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-youth-and-clean-energy-jobs
Podcast: India’s electrification story
Saubhagya was a success, but more needs to be done; We need a multi-pronged approach; Energy efficiency is an important part of the access story
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-indias-electrification-story
Podcast: Benjamin Attia, Wood Mackenzie, 2021 trends
Energy Transition senior research analyst Benjamin Attia singles out COVID recovery, the rise of C&I, demand-driven integrated energy, the return of infrastructure investors and the emergence of a version 2.0 for our sector in his predictions for 2021.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-ben-attia-energy-access-sector-trends-2021
Podcast: BNEF Takehiro Kawahara on 2021 trends
Streamlined project licensing, business model diversification, a continued rise of strategics in energy access are just some of the emerging trends for 2021 according to Takehiro Kawahara, head of Frontier Power for Bloomberg New Energy Finance (BNEF).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/interview-takehiro-kawahara-energy-access-sector-trends-2021
Podcast: SEforALL CEO Damilola Ogunbiyi on finance, innovation
In this episode, we speak with Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of SEforALL and the United Nations Secretary General Special Representative for SDG7, about financing for energy access, challenges the market is facing and innovations that offer hope for the future.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-damilola-ogunbiyi-energizing-finance
Podcast: The Optimistic Activist: Why 2021 Will be the Year that Solar Wins
With storytelling that stretches across his time living in Guinea-Bissau with the Peace Corps to founding one of the most influential advocacy organizations in the U.S., this podcast featuring Adam Browning of Vote Solar is a great way to kickstart 2021.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-optimistic-activist-why-2021-will-be-year-solar-wins
Podcast: Integrating energy systems and business models to impact 20 million lives by 2025
In this episode, Gillian-Alexandre Huart, the first CEO of Engie Energy Access, a new energy unit launched by Engie, speaks about creating an integrated business model that can bring together solar home systems, minigrids and national distribution.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-integrating-energy-systems-and-business-models-impact-20-million-lives-2025
Podcast: Advancing the accurate tracking of energy poverty
In this podcast, Shonali Pachauri, Acting Program Director of the Transitions to New Technologies at IIASA in Austria discusses a new framework to measure energy poverty developed by her and her colleagues at IIASA that better aligns with services that people lack rather than merely capturing the absence of connections to sources of electricity.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-advancing-accurate-tracking-of-energy-poverty
Podcast: Renewable energy and the digital divide
The pandemic has exacerbated severe inequalities in developing countries in terms of access to education. We spoke with UNESCO Regional Director for Southern Africa, Prof. Hubert Gijzen about why advances in off-grid solar technologies are catalytic to ending the digital education divide.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-renewable-energy-and-digital-divide
Podcast: Policy & data for SDG7-SDG2
The correlation between energy poverty and food security is self-evident. But less clear are the steps needed to strengthen this critical nexus. We spoke with Power for All's chief of research Dr. Rebekah Shirley to help frame a complex issue, and explore what kind of action and data are needed to align the two development goals.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-policy-data-sdg7-sdg2
Off-grid customers struggling: interview with Kat Harrison
85% of off-grid solar customers say their financial situation has worsened since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, and one-fifth reported paying for energy as a "heavy burden". We spoke with 60 Decibels director Kat Harrison to understand where things stand, where they are headed and what's at stake.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/grid-customers-struggling-interview-kat-harrison
The essential role of minigrids in the electrification of Africa: Interview with Aaron Leopold
Africa’s first mini-grids report provides the most comprehensive data on distributed energy minigrids and the sector’s performance to date. Africa Minigrid Developers Association’s CEO explains the essential role of minigrids in the electrification of Africa and spotlights barriers to accelerated growth and what can be done to overcome them.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/essential-role-of-minigrids-electrification-of-africa-interview-aaron-leopold
Podcast: Scaling Low Carbon Innovation
The winners of the 2020 Ashden Awards will be celebrated virtually on 2 July. Harriet Lamb, Ashden CEO, talks to Power for All about the macro-trends that Ashden has seen over time in energy access innovation.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-scaling-low-carbon-innovation
Podcast: Campaign Alumni Reunion
4 of our original "dream team" -- Christine Eibs Singer, Chiedza Mazaiwana, Aaron Leopold and Charlie Miller -- identify top sector priorities for the next 5 years: consumer subsidy, a public-private "grand bargain", and more. And reminisce about Power for All's early days and its major impact on the fight for universal access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-campaign-alumni-reunion
Podcast: Gender Policy and SDG7
Kenya recently took the bold step of including gender equality in its national energy policy. Sheila Oparaocha, the head of Energia, says it's time for such policies to be adopted by all countries, while also ensuring sustained implementation and accountability.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-gender-policy-and-sdg7
Podcast: Interview with Stefan Mager (GIZ) and Philipp Blechinger (RLI)
GIZ, Reiner Lemoine Institute (RLI) and the greenwerk recently published the first study to quantify the impact decentralized renewable energy solutions can have in addressing the climate crisis. Distributed energy solutions have largely been absent from the climate discussion, in part because there has been little data. As national governments prepare to update their commitments to emissions reductions as part of the Paris agreement, authors Stefan Mager of GIZ and Philipp Blechinger discuss why distributed clean energy must play a larger role, not just for mitigation, but especially adaptation.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-interview-stefan-mager-giz-and-philipp-blechinger-rli
Podcast: interview with Norman Moyo, DPA
How can commercial and industrial energy users overcome supply-related issues, reliability concerns, and high energy cost? Distributed Power Africa's CEO explains why C&I solar in Africa should be embraced as a key step in the transition to a mature power market.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-interview-norman-moyo-dpa
Podcast: interview with Dr. Roberto Ridolfi, FAO
Dr. Roberto Ridolfi, Assistant Director-General, Program Support and Technical Cooperation Department for the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), called for countries to innovate their regulatory approach and reduce red tape and bureaucracy to scale solar-powered cold storage and end food waste.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/podcast-conversation-dr-roberto-ridolfi
In Conversation: Upendra Tripathy, ISA
How can South-South cooperation be scaled up in support of the implementation of SDG7? The Director General of the International Solar Alliance shares insights about ISA’s significance in global deployment of distributed solar energy and its progress to date.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-upendra-tripathy-isa
Is off-grid solar lighting still relevant in India?
IFC Lighting Asia experts Anjali Garg, Brendon Mendonca and Salman Zahir weigh in on new opportunities amid uncertain times
https://www.powerforall.org/insights/technologies/grid-solar-lighting-still-relevant-india
In Conversation: Making solar lamps in Rwanda
Dutch company NOTS Solar Lamps plans to set up a factory in Rwanda to manufacture equipment for home solar kit suppliers. CEO Bart Hartman discusses the reasons why, and plans for future market expansion.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-making-solar-lamps-rwanda
Jobs Census Webinar
Dr. Rebekah Shirley, lead researcher for the Powering Jobs Census, gives a presentation of the key findings, and answers questions in this recording of a webinar hosted by Clean Energy Solutions Center (CESC).
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/jobs-census-webinar
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-thomas-gottschalk-ae2i
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-ben-attia-analyst
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-abhishek-jain-ceew
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
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-lisa-jordan-shine
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-habiba-ali-of-sosai-renewable-energies
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
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-praveen-kumar
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/news-media/interviews/insider-insight-rafiki-power
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
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
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/news-media/interviews/podcast-emerging-south-south-nexus-last-mile-electrification-sdg7
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-africa-mini-grid-developers-association-amda
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-harihara-mohapatra-clean-network
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-jane-ebinger-seforall
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-dr-youba-sokona
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-johanna-diecker
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/news-media/interviews/will-2017-break-billion-barrier
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/news-media/interviews/building-million-strong-youth-workforce
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/news-media/interviews/future-calling-clean-energy-enterprises-are-changing-customer-service-africa
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-ellen-dorsey
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-minister-henry-macauley
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-desh-deepak-verma
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/news-media/interviews/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/news-media/interviews/michael-liebreich-3-trends-decentralized-renewables-and-revolution
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-leigh-vial
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-erica-mackey
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-justin-guay
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/news-media/interviews/power-all-talks-zifm
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/news-media/interviews/conversation-vivien-foster
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 Board talks to us about the critical role of women in achieving energy access.
https://www.powerforall.org/news-media/interviews/conversation-sheila-oparaocha