Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021 - Executive Summary

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021' analyzes the financial requirements to achieve universal energy access (SDG7) in Ghana, Mozambique, and Vietnam. It focuses on decentralized solutions, estimating the capital needed for electricity (Tier 1) and clean cooking (Tiers 2-4), while identifying critical affordability gaps and regulatory barriers that hinder private sector investment.

• Achieving universal access to Tier 1 electricity and Tier 4 clean cooking across Ghana, Mozambique, and Vietnam is estimated to cost between USD 38 billion and USD 48 billion. A more incremental approach, focusing on Tier 1 electricity and Tier 2/Tier 3 clean cooking, would be significantly cheaper at USD 2.1 billion.
• Universal Tier 4 clean cooking access is the most expensive component, estimated at USD 37-47 billion across the three countries. Transitioning via LPG is estimated to cost USD 38 billion, while ethanol is expected to cost a similar amount. Electric cooking is noted as expensive for consumers and would require additional grid or mini-grid generation costs not included in the primary estimate.
• There is a significant gap between required private sector finance and current commitments. For Tier 1 electricity and Tier 2/Tier 3 cooking, USD 1 billion is needed for enterprises (USD 568 million for improved cookstoves and USD 455 million for standalone solar). In contrast, the 'Understanding the Landscape 2021' report tracked only USD 32 million for clean cooking in these countries from 2013 to 2019.
• An affordability gap of approximately USD 1.1 billion exists for Tier 1 electricity and Tier 2/Tier 3 cooking. Mozambique represents the largest share of this need (82%), primarily for standalone solar in rural areas. In Ghana, 92% of the affordability gap is related to improved cookstove (ICS) purchases.
• Mini-grids are expected to play a very limited role in achieving universal Tier 1 electricity access under business-as-usual (BAU) scenarios, serving only about 1% of the population in Ghana and 3% in Mozambique by 2030. This is attributed to high connection costs and a lack of regulatory clarity regarding licensing, tariffs, and subsidies.
• Standalone solar home systems (SHS) are projected to be the primary driver for first-time Tier 1 electricity access in Mozambique, potentially serving nearly 59% of households. However, 80% of Mozambican households cannot afford SHS on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) basis over 24 months.
• Several cross-cutting barriers impede energy access, including gender disparities—where women have lower agency in purchasing decisions and are underrepresented in the workforce—and a lack of coordination between electricity, clean cooking, and climate strategies.

APA

Sustainable Energy for All (n.d.). Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021 - Executive Summary. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2021-10/EF-2021-TP-ES-SEforALL.pdf

Chicago

Sustainable Energy for All. Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021 - Executive Summary. n.d. https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2021-10/EF-2021-TP-ES-SEforALL.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Sustainable Energy for All |title=Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021 - Executive Summary |url=https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2021-10/EF-2021-TP-ES-SEforALL.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{sustainableenergyforallndenergizing, author = {{Sustainable Energy for All}}, title = {{Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021 - Executive Summary}}, institution = {Sustainable Energy for All}, url = {https://www.seforall.org/system/files/2021-10/EF-2021-TP-ES-SEforALL.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }