Resources

This research presents an overview of the challenges to mini-grid development, and highlights a selection of innovation projects, supported by Energy Catalyst, with the potential to address these challenges. It will also draw out relevant learnings and insights from these case studies.

A technical guide on Model Mini-Grid Regulations.

Shell Foundation write up on the TEA Forum, with focus on partnerships, innovative finance mechanisms and gender intentionality, referencing new initiatives or learning in each area

Insights from a pilot programme that tests innovative solutions for deploying solar photovoltaic systems to power health facilities in a sustainable and scalable way.

The article discusses efforts by the Enabling African Cities for Transformative Energy Access (ENACT) project, in collaboration with ICLEI Africa and Energy 4 Impact, to improve clean cooking access in Freetown’s informal settlements. These settlements, like many in sub-Saharan Africa, rely heavily on burning biomass for cooking, leading to indoor air pollution and health risks.

60 Decibels has collected impact data since 2015 for Off-Grid Energy Companies. These benchmarks include data from over 662,000+ interviews in 107 countries, with customers of 1,400+ companies through 3,229 Lean Data projects across multiple sectors: energy, agriculture, financial inclusion, health, education, and more. By asking the same questions across multiple projects, they have been able to develop benchmarks.

The State of the Global Mini Grids Report 2020 is the definitive source of information for mini-grids stakeholders.The report raises awareness about mobilizing investments in the mini-grid sector and serves as a benchmark to measure progress in the sector for decision-makers.

Transitioning from diesel to electric grain mills in SSA could generate $2.5B in value by 2030 while saving 5M+ tons of carbon emissions. However inconsistent electricity supply, mill operator inertia, and ancillary costs hinder uptake. In CrossBoundary Innovation Lab’s latest Innovation Insight, we discuss the potential for financial incentives and awareness campaigns to accelerate the switch to clean electric milling.

In response to the pressing need for clean cooking interventions in urban informal settlements in Kampala, Uganda, ICLEI Africa and Energy 4 Impact – Mercy Corps have appointed a consortium led by Wana Solutions Uganda Limited and including Green Bio Energy Ltd. to implement these initiatives. A baseline study conducted by ENACT revealed that 92% of residents and microenterprises in Kisenyi, an informal settlement in Kampala, rely on charcoal for cooking, highlighting the urgency for change. The consortium aims to address barriers such as lack of awareness, affordability concerns, and safety issues associated with cleaner cooking alternatives.

Report offering a landscape analysis and market sizing report that explores which productive use energy appliances represent the highest potential to improve livelihoods. The report also looks at how results-based financing allows for the alignment of gender outcome targets with priorities of impact-driven stakeholders and offers a means of tracking investments and progress.

The Strategic Outlook highlights the hurdles displaced people face within the traditional humanitarian system, such as power inequalities, structural barriers, limited access to resources and work opportunities, as well as restricted agency in strategic spaces where critical decisions about their lives are made. Following this, the document presents a few recommendations to help the humanitarian energy sector embrace a paradigm change that enhances inclusivity and ensures the humanitarian system seeks to embrace a just and inclusive approach.

The productive use of renewable energy (PURE) market opportunity in rural sub-Saharan Africa is estimated to be worth $864 billion up to 2030. The PREO Impact Report 2022/23 explores the latest impact insights from the PREO programme, demonstrating the socio-economic benefits of investing in revenue and income-generating products and services in Africa.

The report, supported by Power Africa and the UK Aid-supported Transforming Energy Access initiative (UK TEA), maps the landscape of capital for health facility electrification in important emerging markets, and includes a systematic analysis of the demand, current supply and capital provided so far to power health facilities.

SEforALL’s recent report offers an in-depth look into current healthcare electrification trends, key challenges facing the healthcare electrification sector, financing and investment needs in the sector and a sectoral outlook and recommendations to unlock progress on powering healthcare.

The guide focuses on the GESI approaches within investments made primarily by angel, impact, gender lens, and venture capital investors, but also showcases information on investors that provide public capital, e.g. financing provided by national governments and international organisations through investment funds and development finance institutions in the clean energy and energy access

Article showcasing Global Refugee Forum 2023 activities.

Website article disseminating Global Refugee Forum 2023 and the outcomes.

Crowdfunding continues to play a key role in supporting fundraising efforts by energy access companies. In this report CrowdPower delves into macroeconomic influences, and future trends dominating the evolving debt crowdfunding market.

Website article unpacking activities, conversations and participation at COP28.

What begins as a temporary solution often transforms into a long-term living situation for displaced communities, lasting for decades. Despite an increased focus on providing basic energy services, 94% of those in refugee camps still lack access to electricity.

Article highlighting Gulu University, in partnership with the TEA-LP, introduces its ground-breaking MSc in Renewable Energy and Energy Access. This innovative two-year journey blends coursework and research, with a primary focus on off-grid clean energy technologies, aiming to create a skilled workforce of renewable energy professionals who can drive energy access in Uganda’s off-grid sector.