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A case study detailing a solar-powered cold storage innovation developed by Manamuz Electric LTD to reduce food spoilage and increase income for smallholder farmers in Nigeria.

The 2021 edition of the Chilling Prospects series tracks immediate vulnerability and health risks resulting from a lack of access to cooling across various populations and sectors.

This report evaluates the distribution of liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) subsidies in the Indian state of Jharkhand and tests policy options to improve targeting. Using survey data from 960 households, the study finds that current subsidies are highly regressive, with a disproportionate share of benefits accruing to wealthier households due to their higher consumption rates. The report tests two targeting strategies—volumetric limits and differential subsidies for Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) beneficiaries—but finds that neither significantly improves subsidy incidence, though volumetric targeting does reduce overall government expenditure.

This research paper examines the integration of user experiences into the design of mini-grid business models, focusing on a 6 kW solar PV mini-grid in northwestern Tanzania to improve service responsiveness and user satisfaction.

This research paper by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the failure of the South African government to fulfill its 1998 White Paper on Energy promise to provide affordable electricity to poor households, small businesses, and small-scale farmers. It highlights a significant gap between national budget allocations for free basic electricity and the actual delivery of these services by municipalities.

This case study describes a hybrid solar-wind mini-grid project implemented by Ryse Energy in Ada Foah, Ghana. Originally intended only for agricultural output, the project scope expanded to provide basic electricity to a village of approximately 500 people experiencing extreme energy poverty. Funded by a United Nations grant, the system integrates wind turbines, solar arrays, and battery storage to provide reliable energy for irrigation and community needs, avoiding 85 metric tonnes of CO2 emissions annually.

This executive summary, commissioned by Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), provides guidance to the Government of Sierra Leone (GoSL) for the sustainable development of its mini-grid sector. It compares the regulatory frameworks, tariff structures, and subsidy schemes of Sierra Leone and Nigeria, while emphasizing the role of Productive Use of Electricity (PUE) in enhancing rural economic development and mini-grid viability.

This research paper examines the energy access gap between ultra-poor and better-off households in Malawi, specifically evaluating the impact of unconditional social cash transfers on the adoption of improved lighting and cookstoves.

This briefing by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the failure of the South African government to fulfill its 1998 White Paper on Energy promise of affordable energy for all. It specifically highlights the systemic failure of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) program, where billions of rands allocated for low-income households are not reaching the intended beneficiaries due to municipal mismanagement.

This briefing by the Public Affairs Research Institute (PARI) examines the failure of the South African government to fulfill its 1998 commitment to provide affordable electricity to low-income households, small businesses, and farmers. It highlights a systemic failure in the implementation of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) policy, where billions of rands intended for poor households are not reaching the intended beneficiaries due to municipal mismanagement.

The SEforALL 3-Year Business Plan 2021-2023 outlines a strategic framework to achieve Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030, focusing on energy transitions aligned with the Paris Agreement through a model of committing, connecting, and creating.

This policy brief, published by Sustainable Energy for All in 2021, analyzes the financial requirements and challenges for Ghana to achieve universal energy access by 2030, focusing specifically on electricity and clean cooking.

This policy brief, based on the 'Energizing Finance: Taking the Pulse 2021' research, analyzes the financing requirements for Vietnam to achieve universal energy access by 2030, focusing specifically on clean cooking solutions.

The 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape' report analyzes financial commitments for electrification and clean cooking in 20 high-impact countries (HICs) across Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia for the year 2018. It finds that current investment levels are significantly below the requirements to meet Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) by 2030, with a notable misalignment between where funds are allocated and where the greatest energy needs exist.

The executive summary of 'Energizing Finance: Understanding the Landscape 2020' analyzes energy access finance commitments in 2018 across 20 high-impact countries (HICs) in Sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. It finds a significant gap between actual and required investment for Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7), noting that funding is poorly distributed geographically and often favors fossil fuels over sustainable, off-grid solutions.

This report analyzes the distribution of residential electricity subsidies in the Indian state of Jharkhand using a survey of over 900 households. It finds that subsidies are poorly targeted, with wealthier households receiving a disproportionate share of benefits, and proposes tariff adjustments to redirect funds toward the poor.

This briefing, produced by the South African Institute of International Affairs and the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, outlines strategic priorities for a green transition and energy access partnership between the African Union (AU) and the European Union (EU). It emphasizes the need to maintain momentum on climate goals despite the COVID-19 pandemic, advocating for a transition that supports Africa's developmental objectives, including industrialization and employment growth.

This briefing by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the intersection of skills transfer, gender equality, and the green energy transition in Africa. It highlights the systemic under-representation of women in energy value chains and the need for a 'just transition' that addresses unemployment risks in fossil fuel-dependent economies through reskilling and targeted AU-EU strategic partnerships.

This policy brief by the South African Institute of International Affairs examines the role of green financing and blended finance in scaling renewable energy across Africa, using Kenya as a primary case study to illustrate how public and private capital can be combined to meet rising energy demands and climate commitments.

This policy brief examines the role of green financing in scaling renewable energy investments across Africa, using Kenya as a primary case study. It argues that while Africa has vast renewable potential, public funds are insufficient to meet the estimated $120 billion annual investment requirement through 2040. The document highlights how blended finance, risk mitigation instruments, and strategic partnerships between governments, development finance institutions, and the private sector can unlock the capital necessary for universal energy access and a low-carbon transition.