Solutions and best practices to increase electrification

Universal access to energy is a development imperative. Energy is a catalyst and enabler of development, and societies cannot develop without reliable, adequate and affordable energy services. Decades of national and international efforts have yielded impressive gains in access to modern energy. Yet, estimates suggest that under a business-as-usual scenario around 600 million people will still not have access to electricity by 2040.

To accelerate the pace of off-grid renewable energy deployment, many different pre-conditions must be met. IRENA works on different fronts through various platforms, collaborations, capacity building activities and knowledge products to bring together different experiences and best practices; these relate to design and implementation of enabling policies, tailored financing schemes, and innovative business models and technology applications for stand-alone and mini-grid systems.

Policies and Benefits

Tools and Technology

Healthcare

Cross Sector Linkages

Entrepreneurship Support Facility

Accelerating Off-grid Renewable Energy: Key Findings and Recommendations from IOREC 2016

The business case for off-grid renewables as a means to expand rural electricity access keeps growing stronger, thanks to steady cost reductions and technological innovation. Yet further accelerating the growth of either mini-grid or stand-alone solutions will depend also on stable policies and regulations, along with dedicated funds and de-risking instruments for renewables.

• January 2017
• |
• Off-grid for Energy Access, Policy
• |
• English

Recent Publications

Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report (2021)

This joint tracking report provides the most comprehensive look available at the world&rsq...

United Nations Framework Classification for Geothermal Energy

The report highlights the main challenges and way forward to adapt the broader UNFC specif...

Renewable Energy and Electricity Interconnections for a Sustainable Northeast Asia

This report, a joint study between IRENA and the Korea Energy Economics Institut...

Planning and prospects for renewable power: Eastern and Southern Africa

East and Southern African countries possess vast potential for renewable energy ...

More

Related Content

Universal Access to Sustainable Energy Will Remain Elusive Without Addressing Inequalities

07 June 2021 | Press Releases

IRENA Members to Expand Cross-border Interconnections as Shares of Renewables Grow

12 May 2021 | Articles

Eastern and Southern Africa's Vast Renewables Potential Offers Route to Sustainable Growth

16 April 2021 | Articles