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A 2023 study by the Alliance for Rural Electrification and Konrad-Adenauer-Stiftung indicates that decentralised renewable energy (DRE) could create up to 40,000 direct jobs by 2030 in Senegal and Ghana. In Ghana specifically, a 'Forward-Leaning-Policy' scenario with 15% renewables in the energy mix could generate over 23,000 direct DRE jobs by 2030, while a 'Business-As-Usual' scenario targeting 10% renewables would result in more than 15,465 jobs.

The Les Soleils du Garamba project is a EUR 10 million initiative to deploy a 1 MWp green mini-grid in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The project aims to connect 3,000 customers by 2026, mitigating 2,000 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually while supporting biodiversity and regional stability.

The Regulations for Mini-Grids Template establishes a framework for the licensing, operation, and tariff management of mini-grids. It defines three license types based on capacity and connectivity: Simplified (up to 100 kW), Full (up to 5 MW), and Interconnected (up to 5 MW). The template outlines a detailed application process, a tariff calculation methodology balancing viability and affordability, and rules for main-grid interconnection, including compensation mechanisms for Full Licensees. It also includes minimum technical, safety, and environmental standards for simplified systems.

The NREA Toolkit is a detailed guide for the creation and operational management of national renewable energy associations. It covers the entire organizational lifecycle, from initial business planning and legal incorporation to membership development, strategic communication, and good governance. The document provides frameworks for financial management, resource mobilization, and evidence-based advocacy to influence public policy. It also outlines a six-step process for implementing data activities to support industry benchmarks and advocacy efforts.

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) has introduced Circularity Guidelines to address the growing volume of end-of-life batteries resulting from the expansion of distributed renewable energy (DRE) systems in Africa and other low- and middle-income countries. The guidelines aim to prevent the public health and environmental risks associated with substandard recycling practices, particularly for lead-acid batteries, by providing a framework for quality procurement, maintenance, take-back schemes, and certified recycling. The document calls on stakeholders—including developers, manufacturers, and investors—to endorse these standards and implement them within two years.

The document is a template for a Results-Based Finance (RBF) Grant Agreement designed to support mini-grid operators through fixed grants per verified electricity connection. It includes guidance on structuring disbursement milestones, managing risks through conditions precedent, and defining service levels based on the SE4ALL Multi-Tier Framework. The template outlines the rights and obligations of both the Granting Authority and the Project Developer, covering reporting, monitoring, termination, and dispute resolution.

The Alliance for Rural Electrification (ARE) is hosting a photo contest to document the impact of Team Europe's support for decentralised renewable energy (DRE) in Sub-Saharan Africa. ARE members are invited to submit photos by 30 April 2024 across five categories: productive use, women empowerment, powering industries, manufacturing and power components, and green job creation. Winning entries will be promoted via ARE's website and social media, and showcased at the EAIF 2024. Submissions must feature projects partially financed or implemented by European Member State public entities or companies and meet specific technical standards regarding resolution and file format.

One Power Lesotho (1PWR), funded by EDFI ElectriFI and REPP with technical support from GET.invest, is developing 11 solar-battery mini-grids to provide first-time electricity access to rural communities in Lesotho. The project aims to connect 9,109 households, 68 schools, 20 clinics, 470 SMEs, and 7 healthcare centres, with a total budget of approximately EUR 12,000,000. The infrastructure is expected to generate up to 3,480 MWh per annum and mitigate 2,780 tonnes of CO2 emissions annually. Beyond energy access, 1PWR supports local economic growth by manufacturing technology in Lesotho and training local technicians and engineers to create green jobs.

The project portfolio implemented by Foundation Rural Energy Services (FRES) provided distributed renewable energy to 46,500 people across Mali, Burkina Faso, Uganda, and Guinea-Bissau. Utilizing a mix of FRES foundation financing and EU co-financing via the ACP-EU Energy Facility, the initiative installed 305 kWp of mini-grid capacity and 1,204 kW of solar home systems. Between 2014 and 2021, the project established nearly 10,000 new energy connections, including 7,169 for agricultural households and 2,064 for small businesses, while electrifying 217 schools and 65 clinics. The project mitigated 19,400 cumulative tonnes of CO2 emissions, created 61 local jobs, and established four commercial energy companies to ensure long-term operational sustainability.

Off-Grid Power (SL) Ltd (OGP), a joint venture between PowerGen Renewable Energy and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), has deployed 40 solar hybrid mini-grids with a 2.5 MW capacity across southern and eastern Sierra Leone. Part of the government's Rural Renewable Energy Project (RREP), the initiative provides electricity to over 99,000 people, many for the first time. The project has delivered significant social benefits, including improved maternal health services, higher national test results for students, and the creation of 351 total jobs. Financing was provided by Team Europe (Netherlands), the UK, Switzerland, and PowerGen, with a budget of EUR 6,340,000.

The report provides a comprehensive overview of India's decentralised renewable energy (DRE) landscape, detailing deployment statistics, government schemes, and the role of R&D in driving innovation. It highlights the transition of DRE from basic lighting to productive livelihood applications and identifies 'weak-grid' areas as a significant growth market. The document emphasizes the necessity of harmonized international standards to prevent market spoilage and facilitate global trade. It also showcases the 'transformational journeys' of Indian companies expanding into Sub-Saharan Africa, leveraging digital technologies like Pay-as-you-Go (PayG) and standardized mini-grid models to address energy poverty.