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The document examines Ethiopia's efforts to expand rural energy access through solar technologies under the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP II). While solar lantern adoption has grown, the brief identifies significant systemic barriers—including fragmented import processes, foreign exchange shortages, and a lack of clear grid expansion plans—that hinder private sector investment and the deployment of higher-capacity systems like solar home systems and micro-grids. It recommends streamlining customs through 'Green Line' declarations, incentivizing local manufacturing, and promoting affordable financing models such as pay-as-you-go to achieve the target of increasing energy access for up to 4 million households by 2020.

The report details CDKN's work in India to integrate climate change adaptation and mitigation into development planning. Key initiatives include the use of multi-criteria decision analysis (MCDA) for energy and building sectors, the development of Heat Action Plans in cities like Ahmedabad, and the promotion of rural electrification through micro-franchising. The document emphasizes the importance of co-benefits, private sector engagement, and gender sensitivity in achieving resilient growth.

The document analyzes the inefficiencies of India's Public Distribution System (PDS) for kerosene, noting high rates of leakage and poor targeting. It argues that current subsidies make solar lighting less cost-competitive for households, particularly for mid- and high-end systems. The authors recommend streamlining eligibility, phasing out subsidies in electrified areas, and redirecting funds toward a 'lighting subsidy' for solar solutions.

The document argues that fuel subsidy reform is essential for Nigeria's economic diversification but requires a 'portfolio approach' to compensation to prevent social unrest and protect the poor. It proposes seven specific programs—including transport vouchers, mass transit schemes, and e-wallets for farmers—with an estimated first-year budget of ₦250 billion (USD 1.3 billion). The report emphasizes that these measures should be implemented through existing ministries rather than new institutions, with oversight provided by a new Directorate for Subsidy Reinvestment Monitoring under the National Planning Commission.

In November 2013, the Renewables Academy AG (RENAC) conducted a three-day training workshop in Nairobi for Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA). The program aimed to reduce reliance on expensive and polluting diesel generators in rural areas, where the electrification rate was only 5% in 2013. The training covered system engineering, energy audits, and tendering processes to help the Government of Kenya scale up renewable energy integration in remote mini-grids.

The 'Green Business Area' in Konseguela, Mali, is a pilot project by GERES that provides 11 rural businesses with electricity via a 12.5 kWp hybrid mini-grid using solar photovoltaics and locally produced agro-fuels. The project utilizes bioclimatic construction and a pricing model based on space rental and energy sales, creating 24 direct jobs within its first year of operation.

EarthSpark International has deployed a 93 kW solar microgrid in Les Anglais, Haiti, providing 24-hour clean power to approximately 2,000 people. The project demonstrates that microgrids can bridge the gap between small solar home systems and traditional grid extension, enabling industrial use and reducing household energy costs by 80%. To overcome technical gaps, EarthSpark developed 'SparkMeter' for customized tariffs and prepay services. Despite logistical hurdles and a lack of clear regulatory frameworks in Haiti, the model aims to scale to 80 microgrids serving 200,000 people over five years.

The report finds that while Rajasthan has successfully increased its generation capacity and improved reliability, its distribution companies (discoms) face a severe financial crisis. Discoms are unable to recover operating costs through tariffs, leading to mounting debt and a heavy reliance on state government fiscal transfers. Although renewable energy capacity has grown rapidly, investment gaps in transmission and distribution (T&D) infrastructure hinder the integration of these sources and the achievement of comprehensive rural electrification.

The Reiner Lemoine Institut (RLI) developed a methodology combining GIS-based data analysis and simulation models to evaluate the viability of hybrid power systems in Africa. The analysis indicates that integrating PV and battery storage into existing diesel grids can significantly lower production costs, outperforming diesel-only systems across nearly the entire continent. In most cases, renewables provide 35% to 40% of the energy, with higher shares in remote areas where fuel transportation costs are high.

In November 2013, RENAC conducted a three-day training session in Nairobi for Kenya Power and the Rural Electrification Authority (REA) to improve the design of tenders for PV-diesel hybrid mini-grids. The initiative aimed to address the high costs, supply chain risks, and environmental impacts associated with diesel-only power in rural Kenya, where the electrification rate was only 5% in 2013. The training covered system engineering, energy audits, and tendering, establishing a knowledge base to scale up renewable energy solutions in remote areas.

The 'Luz en Casa' programme, implemented by ACCIONA Microenergía Peru (AMP), provides solar home systems (SHS) to approximately 3,000 isolated rural households in Cajamarca, Peru. The model utilizes a regulated tariff and cross-subsidy to ensure affordability, with users paying less than USD 3.5 per month of a USD 17 monthly tariff. The systems, consisting of PV panels, batteries, and energy-efficient lamps, are maintained by trained local technician-entrepreneurs. The programme has reduced user costs for electricity components by 33% and improved health by replacing diesel lamps.

The document argues that while the SADC region faces severe energy pressures and a heavy reliance on coal and hydropower, renewable energy mini-grids offer a viable complement to national grid extension, particularly for rural populations. However, most current projects remain in the pilot phase due to unsustainable business models, vague policy frameworks, and a lack of private investment. The brief recommends adopting anchor-business-community (A-B-C) models and establishing clear regulatory frameworks to scale these solutions.

The report details the application of the Smart Energy Path methodology in Benin, Mali, and Togo, emphasizing a multi-sectoral, participatory approach to energy planning. It highlights the vulnerability of these countries' energy systems to climate change and argues for prioritizing collective energy services—such as those for health and education—over individual household electrification. The project utilized the TIPEE multidimensional assessment tool to identify gaps in energy policy and data, concluding that inclusive governance involving non-energy sectors is essential for creating resilient and sustainable energy frameworks.

The document examines the food-energy-water nexus in Ethiopia's Lake Tana and Beles River basins, using the SEI nexus toolkit (WEAP-LEAP) to model three development scenarios. It finds that agricultural intensification and energy transitions are interdependent and potentially competitive, noting that Ethiopia has reached a "biomass ceiling" where demand for fuel, food, and fodder equals primary productivity. The analysis highlights trade-offs between hydropower production and maintaining critical water levels in Lake Tana, suggesting that a coordinated nexus approach is essential to meet the targets of the Growth and Transformation Plan (GTP) and the Climate Resilient Green Economy Strategy (CRGE) without compromising environmental sustainability.

The paper examines the gap between Ethiopia's large-scale grid expansion and the needs of the rural poor, proposing a Sector Wide Approach (SWAp) to integrate decentralized renewable energy into national policy.

The Help My House (HMH) pilot program provided on-bill financing (OBF) for energy efficiency retrofits in 125 homes across eight South Carolina electric cooperatives. The program demonstrated that 'whole house' upgrades—primarily attic insulation, air sealing, and HVAC replacements—could reduce electricity use by an average of 34% (approximately 11,000 kWh per year), with energy savings typically exceeding the annual loan repayments. The pilot achieved a 93% realization rate compared to predicted savings and significantly increased member satisfaction, leading several participating cooperatives to launch their own ongoing OBF programs. While the retrofits reduced coincident peak demand, they had no net impact on the system load factor, suggesting that the simultaneous deployment of load control devices is necessary to improve system efficiency.

Kenya is diversifying its energy mix by prioritising geothermal power to reduce its reliance on climate-vulnerable hydroelectricity. The government has established the Geothermal Development Company (GDC) to mitigate high upfront exploration risks, implemented feed-in tariffs, and leveraged carbon finance to attract investment. While facing technical skill shortages and geological challenges, Kenya aims to significantly increase geothermal capacity by 2030 to support economic growth and rural electrification.

The document analyzes Zambia's energy sector and the incentives provided by the government to attract private investment in renewable energy. It details a framework of fiscal incentives (tax exemptions on dividends, import duties, and corporate tax), financial incentives (grants from the Rural Electrification Fund and government-backed loan guarantees for ZESCO), and other support services provided by the Zambia Development Agency (ZDA) and the Office for Promoting Private Power Investment (OPPPI). While stakeholders report a generally positive trend and increased interest in projects, the report notes a lack of transparency regarding the actual costs of these incentives and a need for greater legal clarity regarding which renewable energy technologies qualify for support.

Tanzania has implemented the Small Power Projects (SPP) programme to scale up decentralized renewable energy and reduce dependence on drought-prone hydropower and expensive fossil fuels. The programme uses an avoided-cost-based feed-in tariff (FIT) to attract private investment without increasing costs for the national utility, TANESCO. While five plants (28.3 MW) are operational and ten more are planned, growth is hindered by low tariffs, high financing costs, and technical skepticism. The brief highlights the importance of South-South exchanges with Thailand and Sri Lanka in developing the regulatory framework and suggests that transitioning to technology-based tariffs, supported by international climate finance, is necessary for broader deployment of solar and wind energy.

The report examines how rural electrification and expanded independent tea production would affect stakeholders in the Jaldhaka watershed. Electrification is expected to increase crop yields and income but risks groundwater depletion and excludes those unable to afford installation. Expanded tea growing offers higher cash income but threatens food security, worker health due to chemical exposure, and downstream water availability.