Africa
Lessons from Malawi: Five Steps for Planning Sustainable Energy Investments
Whole-system energy investment planning shows how countries like Malawi can reach Sustainable Energy for All goals at a lower cost, using abundant renewable resources. RMI’s work in Malawi applies a few core principles to demonstrate US$500 million in savings as the country increases electricity generation and connects households to achieve…
Achievements and Challenges of Uganda’s Power Sector
In 2005, Uganda descended into a power crisis that changed energy planning mindsets forever. A sharp decline in hydropower generation output, partly blamed on prolonged droughts that affected water levels in Lake Victoria along with delayed capacity additions, meant that electricity demand was double the available supply. This…
An Efficiency Opportunity at the Heart of Ethiopia’s Growth and Transformation
Implementing a set of simple efficiency regulations and programs today can help Ethiopia grow sustainably. By 2030, savings could be larger than the country’s total energy demand in 2014. A Power Sector in Transition Ethiopia’s economic development is often cited as a success story—with consistent growth of over 10 percent…
It Takes a Village: Ethiopia Builds on Global Minigrid Experience
The Ethiopian government plans to use transformative energy access programs as a foundation for its economic growth. Of the country’s 105 million residents, only 44 percent have electricity access today. Thus, the challenge of electrification is extreme. Achieving universal access by 2025 will require concerted planning, immediate action,…
Letting Communities Lead
Picture this: Although the year was 2012, many small communities in east India lacked access to modern power; wood fires, kerosene lanterns, and human power were the only ways to get things done. However, the government—specifically, a state-level Energy Development Agency—offered to provide community-scale electrification through a new solar…