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The report argues that South Africa's promise of affordable electricity for the poor remains unfulfilled 20 years after the 1998 White Paper on Energy. It highlights that poor households spend a disproportionate 17% of their income on electricity and that the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) program, which provides 50 kWh per month, is severely under-implemented. The document claims that in 2019, while national funding supported 9.8 million households for free services, only 2 million actually received free electricity, leaving over 5.4 million eligible poor households without the benefit and resulting in an estimated R6 billion in diverted funds.

The document argues that the goal of affordable energy in South Africa has not been met, leaving poor households to spend up to 17% of their income on energy and forcing many to use dangerous sources like paraffin and coal. It identifies two primary causes: the lack of a formal government standard defining 'affordable energy' and the systemic failure of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) policy. Specifically, the briefing highlights a significant gap in FBE implementation, noting that in 2019, while the national budget funded free basic services for 9.8 million households, only 2 million actually received free electricity from their municipalities. This resulted in 5.4 million eligible households missing out on benefits valued at R6 billion.

The Clean Energy Mini-Grid Policy Development Guide outlines models for public-private cooperation and the key policy decisions required to scale mini-grid deployment for universal electricity access. It emphasizes that government decisions directly influence the level of private sector involvement and highlights the inherent trade-offs between government control, subsidies, and consumer tariffs. The guide also stresses the need for demand risk mitigation instruments and the consideration of termination risks in rural electrification frameworks.

The briefing discusses the application of securitization in US states to mitigate the financial and social risks of coal plant retirements. By replacing high-cost utility capital with low-interest bonds, states like Wisconsin, Michigan, and New Mexico have reduced ratepayer costs and provided funding for clean energy and community transition. The document highlights Colorado's legislation as a model for integrating consumer protections, worker assistance, and renewable energy reinvestment.

The report assesses the mini-grid sectors in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, focusing on regulatory frameworks, tariffs, subsidies, and productive use of electricity (PUE). It highlights that Sierra Leone's mini-grid tariffs (averaging USD 0.79/kWh) are higher than Nigeria's (averaging USD 0.58/kWh) due to differences in market scale, planning approaches, and household income. The document recommends that Sierra Leone adopt a long-term national strategy, streamline import duty exemptions, and implement a hybrid up-front cash grant/results-based financing (RBF) subsidy scheme to lower costs and attract private investment.

The document examines Ghana's history of energy crises and its strategic shift toward nuclear energy to support industrialisation. It details the country's existing nuclear research capabilities, the challenges posed by political instability, and the progress made through IAEA infrastructure reviews.

The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) hosted a 'Climate Camp' briefing series focusing on the federal budget and appropriations process for fiscal year 2022. The series aimed to provide guidance on utilizing stimulus packages to advance climate action, energy and environment programs, and environmental justice goals during the 117th Congress.

The report highlights that 600 million Africans lack electricity, with sub-Saharan Africa being the most affected. It argues that while legacy megaprojects like the Inga 3 dam and Stiegler's Gorge are financially and environmentally risky, decentralized renewable energy (DREs) and public-private partnerships offer more sustainable paths to electrification. The text also examines the geopolitical influence of Russia's nuclear diplomacy and China's investment in coal-fired plants, while noting the severe health impacts of biomass reliance among the rural poor.

The document provides a comprehensive directory of stakeholders involved in Togo's renewable energy landscape. It lists government bodies responsible for policy and regulation, private companies providing technical support and EPC services, NGOs promoting sustainable energy, academic institutions offering training, and international partners and financial institutions providing funding and technical assistance.

The document argues that the South African government has failed to fulfill its 1998 commitment to provide affordable electricity to poor households, small businesses, and farmers. It identifies two primary causes: a lack of a clear definition for "affordable electricity" and the systemic failure of the Free Basic Electricity (FBE) policy. While the national budget allocated funds for 9.8 million households to receive 50kWh of free electricity in 2019, only 2 million households actually received it. The briefing highlights that municipalities are responsible for registering low-income households and distributing these funds, but a lack of oversight has led to an estimated R6 billion in missing funds and millions of eligible households paying for electricity out of pocket.

This case study examines how Rwanda's domestic policy frameworks, tariff structures, and utility restructuring have increased electricity access, using the World Bank's Regulatory Indicators for Sustainable Energy (RISE) index as a benchmarking tool.

Reclaim Finance highlights a lack of transparency in the IEA's internal procedures, specifically regarding the loaning of staff from energy companies, the role of private actors in peer reviews, and the opacity of voluntary budget contributions. Research indicates significant ties between the IEA and the fossil fuel sector, particularly in the production of the World Energy Outlook 2019.

Reclaim Finance criticizes the International Energy Agency (IEA) for a lack of transparency regarding its budget, staffing, and internal procedures, highlighting significant influence from fossil fuel companies through seconded employees, peer reviews, and voluntary contributions.

Using a survey of over 900 households in Jharkhand, the report finds that residential electricity subsidies are poorly targeted, with the richest 40% of households receiving approximately 60% of the benefits. It suggests that adjusting tariffs—specifically restricting subsidies for consumption over 300 kWh per month and incrementally decreasing subsidies for blocks between 50 kWh and 200 kWh—could generate at least USD 44 million in fiscal savings to support the poor or address the COVID-19 crisis.

The document examines the tension between the need for electricity tariff reforms to save insolvent distribution companies (DISCOMs) and the decreased ability of low-income Indian households to pay for energy following the COVID-19 lockdown. It proposes shifting subsidies away from better-off households, implementing direct cash transfers (DBT-P), and improving data collection on consumer willingness to pay. The briefing highlights that while technical solutions like simplifying tariff slabs exist, political hurdles at the state level remain a primary barrier to reform.

The poll indicates strong support among Ohio likely voters for suing oil and gas companies for climate-related damages, a sentiment that increases when respondents are provided with information about corporate disinformation. It also reveals significant opposition to House Bill 6, with a majority supporting its repeal, and shows that a majority of respondents believe human activities are affecting the climate.

The document analyzes Egypt's long-term pursuit of nuclear energy, framing the current Dabaa project as a 'techno-nationalist' mega-project under President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi. It highlights the lack of transparency in the selection of ROSATOM as a partner, the financial burden of a $25 billion loan, and the government's tendency to prioritize national prestige over public consultation and safety transparency.

The document argues that the post-WWII multilateral order is fragmenting, leaving Europe vulnerable to the influence of China and Russia and the unpredictability of US policy. The author proposes a 'networked foreign policy' and 'European strategic sovereignty' to reduce dependencies and preserve EU values. This approach emphasizes the need for Europe to act as a unified geopolitical player, investing in its own technological capabilities (such as 5G and semiconductors) and safeguarding public goods like health and climate protection. The author specifically calls for the EU to reduce reliance on foreign medical supplies and to resist the dominance of US and Chinese tech giants through stronger regulation and a pro-European anti-trust policy.

Natural Justice opposes proposed amendments in the Statute Law (Miscellaneous Amendments) Bill, 2020 that would remove representatives appointed by the Council of Governors from the boards of the Energy Petroleum Regulatory Authority and the Rural Electrification and Renewable Energy Corporation. The organization argues that energy regulation and planning are shared functions between national and county governments under the Constitution and the Energy Act, necessitating county representation to ensure effective collaboration and the fulfillment of county-specific energy needs.

The document details the financial distress caused by COVID-19 in India's electricity sector, specifically the revenue losses of DISCOMs and the payment delays affecting power producers. It outlines a stimulus package of INR 90,000 crore for DISCOMs and lists specific loan terms from PFC-REC, including a 10-year loan period and requirements for digital payment and smart meter installation. The briefing also highlights best practices in billing and collection adopted by states like Odisha, Gujarat, Bihar, and Rajasthan to mitigate losses.