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The report examines the synergy between decentralised renewable energy (DRE) and electric mobility (e-mobility) in rural and peri-urban areas of emerging economies. It argues that DRE systems, such as solar mini-grids, can overcome electricity access barriers and provide a sustainable power source for electric vehicles (EVs), which in turn can act as mobile batteries to balance DRE systems. Through 13 case studies and an expert interview, the document highlights the socio-economic benefits of this transition—including reduced operational costs for transport operators, job creation, and improved access to healthcare—while identifying critical barriers such as high capital expenditure (CAPEX), lack of supportive regulatory frameworks, and supply chain disruptions. The report provides specific recommendations for project developers, policymakers, and investors to scale these solutions through local R&D, blended finance, and gender-lens investment.

The report showcases eight DRE projects across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, illustrating how solar PV, hydropower, and solar-powered desalination improve health services, education, and economic stability during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The University of Southampton installed two 13.5 kWp PV-battery mini-grids in rural Uganda to replace kerosene and diesel power. While the project successfully connected over 144 businesses, two health centres, and two schools, rapid demand growth eventually exceeded design capacity, leading to battery failure and blackouts. Future upgrades involving lithium-ion batteries and diesel backup are planned in collaboration with the Rural Electrification Agency (REA).

GDS International is implementing a solar mini-grid project in Benin with a capacity of 1.7 to 3 MW to address rural energy poverty. The project, costing less than 10 million EUR and partially funded by the Off-Grid Clean Energy Facility (OCEF), aims to serve up to 6,000 households and 2,400 productive activities over 20 years while promoting local economic development and gender-inclusive employment.

The report evaluates the integration of small-format electric vehicles (EVs) with rural minigrids, finding that while EVs can be cost-competitive with petrol alternatives, their success depends on high vehicle utilization and business models tailored to local needs. A Nigeria pilot using a two-wheeler leasing model showed promise, whereas an India pilot using a battery leasing model for three-wheelers failed due to high operational costs and drivers charging via the subsidized grid. Technoeconomic modeling indicates that EV charging can lower minigrid tariffs, particularly when charging occurs during daytime solar production, though the impact is modest unless fleet utilization is significantly increased.

The document analyzes how end-user subsidies—direct or indirect payments to consumers—can bridge the affordability gap for basic electricity access. It evaluates two primary methodologies for calculating this gap (SEforALL's 'Taking the Pulse' and the World Bank's 'Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report') and identifies key design attributes such as financing structures, delivery modalities, and verification systems. Through case studies, it finds that Ghana's programme succeeded due to accurate targeting and pricing, while Uganda's faced challenges with high costs and payment delays. Togo's CIZO programme is highlighted for its innovative use of mobile money for subsidy delivery. The brief concludes that improving demographic and consumption data is essential to avoid market distortion and ensure subsidies reach the poorest households.

The Mokoloki undergrid minigrid project in Ogun State, Nigeria, has demonstrated the feasibility of providing reliable solar power to communities that are connected to the national grid but suffer from unreliable supply. Through a tripartite partnership between the Mokoloki community, Nayo Tropical Technology, and the Ibadan Electricity Distribution Company (IBEDC), the project has achieved 100% collection rates and doubled its revenue within 18 months. The system, comprising 100 kWp solar PV and battery storage, has significantly improved energy reliability compared to the previous utility service and is driving local economic growth by supporting productive uses of electricity for commercial customers.

The report examines how financial aggregation—bundling small-scale energy assets into portfolios—can address the financing gap for distributed renewable energy (DRE) in developing countries. It identifies general SME financing barriers and specific aggregation hurdles, such as lack of track records and currency risk. The document proposes enablers including digital data solutions, standardisation of KPIs, and the use of green, social, and sustainability (GSS) bonds to attract institutional investors. While the market is nascent, the report highlights early successes in Rwanda, Côte d'Ivoire, and Brazil as blueprints for scaling clean energy access.

The Energy Transition Council (ETC) aims to make clean power the most affordable and reliable option for developing countries by 2030. For 2022, its priorities include continuing high-level political dialogues, scaling the Rapid Response Facility (RRF) for technical assistance, and coordinating with international initiatives like the GGI-OSOWOG and the Just Transition Declaration. The ETC focuses on eight key areas: integrated energy planning, utility-scale renewables, coal and fossil fuel transition, investment policy, green grids, energy efficiency, distributed renewable energy, and just transition.

The report outlines systemic barriers to gridless services, emphasizing that failures often stem from a lack of understanding of user needs, regulatory gaps, and financial instability rather than technical performance.

The Green Aggregation Tech Enterprise (GATE) is a risk-pooling mechanism that guarantees a baseline level of revenue for rural mini grid developers, addressing the lack of credit histories among rural customers. By diversifying risks across different geographies and customers, GATE aims to enable developers to meet debt obligations and crowd in commercial debt. The instrument requires strong implementing partners, support from Development Finance Institutions for initial capital, and a robust regional electricity market, specifically leveraging the Southern African Power Pool (SAPP). The initiative is currently preparing for launch in southern Africa, starting with Zambia, and aligns with the Zambian National Energy Policy 2019.

The P-REC Aggregation Fund monetizes Peace Renewable Energy Credits (P-RECs)—a high-quality type of International Renewable Energy Certificate (I-REC) with peacebuilding co-benefits—to provide upfront capital to renewable energy developers in fragile states. By aggregating these certificates and selling them to impact-seeking corporations (such as RE100 members), the Fund aims to provide developers with approximately 10% of construction costs, thereby unlocking further infrastructure finance. The report models a 13-year proof-of-concept phase with a USD 10.25 million fund size, projecting the generation of 812,116 P-RECs and the avoidance of approximately 658,000 tCO2e of emissions.

SEforALL reports on its leadership in organizing Ministerial Thematic Forums to secure Energy Compacts, its advocacy for eradicating energy poverty within the G20, and its technical support for national energy transitions in countries such as Nigeria and Rwanda. The organization also highlights the launch of practitioner tools for mini-grid emissions and sustainable cooling, alongside diplomatic engagements with the UAE and the US to accelerate the global energy transition toward SDG7.

The LAC region has a high overall electrification rate of 97%, yet 18.1 million people remain without electricity and 65 million are underserved. The report argues that off-grid renewable energy solutions are the best fit for at least 40% of this access gap, particularly in rural 'last-mile' communities. While the region possesses vast renewable resources, market growth is hindered by socioeconomic constraints, limited regulatory frameworks for private off-grid actors, and a lack of coordinated data. The document provides detailed country profiles for Haiti, Honduras, and Suriname, highlighting their specific challenges and the potential for productive use of renewable energy (PURE) to drive local economic development.

Okra Solar provides modular, plug-and-play mesh-grid hardware and software that allows energy developers to deploy power rapidly and scale as demand grows. By utilizing rooftop installations and interlinked systems, the company aims to bypass land permit barriers and reduce distribution costs. A pilot project in Cambodia demonstrated the model's efficacy, energizing 140 households within two months of contract award using a 48.8kWp PV system. The company currently operates in Cambodia, The Philippines, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Haiti, with a target of reaching 10,000 connections within 12 months.

The report details SEforALL's efforts over a 100-day period to accelerate the clean energy transition. Key activities include the launch of the 'Be Bold' campaign, coordination of the UN High-level Dialogue on Energy and its Energy Compacts, and supporting the COP26 Energy Transition Council. The organization also highlights research on sustainable cooling, a youth summit, and specific technical assistance for energy access in Nigeria and Sierra Leone, alongside a new healthcare electrification partnership with USAID and Power Africa.

The research utilizes user journey mapping to analyze the experiences of household and business users of a 6 kW solar PV mini-grid in northwestern Tanzania. The study concludes that a single value proposition is insufficient for diverse user groups and emphasizes the importance of expectation management and continuous engagement to prevent service disuse or 'energy stacking'.

Ryse Energy deployed a hybrid renewable mini-grid in Ada Foah, Ghana, consisting of wind turbines, solar arrays, and battery storage. Originally intended only for agricultural output, the project scope expanded to provide electricity for a community of approximately 500 people. Funded by a EUR 180,000 United Nations grant, the system generates over 316 kWh/day, avoids 85 metric tonnes of CO2 annually, and supports water pumping and irrigation.

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 report analyzes the mini-grid sectors in Sierra Leone and Nigeria, focusing on regulatory frameworks, tariff structures, subsidies, and the productive use of energy (PUE). It highlights that while Sierra Leone has established a regulatory framework, its market is nascent and characterized by a top-down, donor-funded approach, whereas Nigeria has a more mature, private-sector-led market. Key findings emphasize the need for Sierra Leone to shift toward a bottom-up approach, implement results-based financing (RBF), and integrate PUE to improve the commercial viability of mini-grids and reduce end-user tariffs.