UPDATED 1 Sept: The EI library in London is temporarily closed to the public, as a precautionary measure in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. The Knowledge Service will still be answering email queries via email , or via live chats during working hours (09:15-17:00 GMT). Our e-library is always open for members here: eLibrary , for full-text access to over 200 e-books and millions of articles. Thank you for your patience.
New Energy World™
New Energy World™ embraces the whole energy industry as it connects and converges to address the decarbonisation challenge. It covers progress being made across the industry, from the dynamics under way to reduce emissions in oil and gas, through improvements to the efficiency of energy conversion and use, to cutting-edge initiatives in renewable and low-carbon technologies.
Powering progress: tackling energy poverty with a decentralised renewable energy model
17/1/2024
10 min read
Feature
Energy poverty is a significant challenge worldwide, not just limiting electricity but access to essential components of daily life. Here, Kristina Skierka, CEO of nonprofit renewable energy organisation Power for All, explains how a project to develop decentralised renewable energy combined with traditional grid systems in rural Uganda led to more rapid electrification of public and commercial facilities, and at reduced cost, compared to the traditional approach.
Over a billion individuals worldwide grapple with energy poverty. This is a major barrier to development. Conventional grid expansion strategies have proven inadequate in effectively tackling this challenge. Energy poverty is not just about the absence of electricity. It involves the lack of access to clean, reliable energy crucial for daily activities that underpin sustainable, prosperous livelihoods. It limits access to essential services such as clean cooking, efficient lighting, healthcare, irrigation, cooling, education and digital services, which are all key to socio-economic progress.
Recognising the urgent need for innovative, effective solutions to swiftly address energy poverty, Power for All launched the Utilities 2.0 Campaign.
Traditional approaches to electrification, centred on expanding the current power grid, face significant economic and logistical hurdles, especially in remote and underdeveloped areas. Additionally, the dependence on fossil fuels in these conventional energy systems intensifies climate change and environmental harm, highlighting the urgent need for more creative and sustainable solutions.