Access to electricity is a central building block of socio-economic development. It empowers people and communities to increase their income and productivity, enhance their access to healthcare, water and education, and improve their overall well-being. Without universal access to modern energy services, achieving the Sustainable Development Goals set for 2030 will be almost impossible.

The good news is that the technology solutions needed to extend electricity access to the over 1.1 billion people already exists. The business case to deploy off-grid renewable energy solutions (stand-alone and mini-grid systems) in rural areas has never been stronger. Costs have fallen dramatically – by more than 80% since 2010 for PV panels, for example, with substantial improvements in technology efficiency and reliability. The modularity of renewable energy technologies mean that they can be rapidly deployed and customised to meet energy demand using locally available resources and capacities.

An estimated 60% of the additional power generation needed to achieve universal access must come from off-grid solutions. Most of these will involve mini-grids – isolated, community-level power grids that can eventually be absorbed into the main grid or may continue to operate autonomously. Policies and regulations for private sector renewable energy mini-grids aim to support policy makers in the design of enabling policy and regulatory frameworks. The report examines licencing, tariff regulation, risks related to main-grid arrival, and access to finance – the key factors considered by investors in mini-grids.

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
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• Off-grid for Energy Access, Policy
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• English

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