Global South
Supporting and empowering climate-resilient, thriving Global South communities through radical implementation
216M
can avoid climate displacement by 2050
759M
can gain access to electricity
38M
can be employed in energy jobs by 2030
We Must
Strengthen climate and economic resilience
Deliver clean energy solutions where they are most needed
Empower vulnerable communities to have an ownership stake in their future
RMI Will
Ensure communities have access to affordable, reliable, and clean power—while enhancing resilience and addressing energy poverty.
Bring together governments and utilities to plan and scale clean energy solutions to augment existing grids and increase access.
Unlock and mobilize the critical finance needed to reduce energy poverty and dependence on fossil fuels.
Facilitate communities of practice to incubate and connect climate leaders driving local energy transitions.
RMI is accelerating distributed energy resources as a conduit for clean, affordable, and equitable power.
Dr. James Fletcher
Managing Director of Soloricon
We can put all of our countries on a path to sustainable development by making the investments in our infrastructure, in our social services, in our environment.
Is “Natural” Gas a Solution?
RMI believes that each nation, particularly in the Global South, has a sovereign right to choose its own path to economic development, and any promotion of renewable energy should be driven by national decision makers. As such, we are actively carrying out deep analysis and research and working with leaders on the ground to understand the political economy through regulatory support and investment preparation. With this profound empirical engagement, it is increasingly clear that current efforts to develop new infrastructure for “natural” gas should be reconsidered. Distributed energy resources such as solar, wind, efficiency, and battery storage, are cheaper, more inclusive, and resilient in spurring local economic growth. More in-depth country-specific energy planning is required to determine what, if any, role natural gas should play in the Global South.
What We Do
RMI’s Global South Program works across three core geographies - Africa, Southeast Asia, and island nations - to address barriers to the energy transition and achieve radical implementation at scale. RMI tackles these challenges using upstream, midstream, downstream, and cross-cutting interventions.
In the upstream, we demonstrate inclusive energy planning and policy processes that create the enabling environment for investment. In the mid-stream, we test and pilot projects to address a wide range of energy needs. Downstream, we provide climate finance access support to countries that have not received their fair share of funding. Cross-cutting all of this is our unique approach to capacity building and workforce development.
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Africa Energy Program
Stimulating thriving economies and communities by expanding reliable energy access and accelerating clean energy adoption.
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Islands Energy Program
Partnering with island nations to transition to resilient, affordable, distributed clean energy sources that benefit all.
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Southeast Asia
Prioritizing energy independence, fossil fuel transitions, inclusive economic development, and clean urban environments for a secure energy future.
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Energy Transition Academy
Empowering energy professionals to be leaders in clean energy locally and climate action globally.
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Climate Finance Access Network
Unlocking climate finance by building lasting capacity in developing countries.
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Insights
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News
RMI Launches its First Africa Fellowship Program Cohort in Nigeria to Advance Renewable Energy Projects
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Article
Architecting Indonesia’s Record-Setting Climate Deal
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Press Release
Historic $20B Investment in Indonesia Decarbonization Is Model for Other Coal-Dependent Nations
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Commentary
For the Sake of the Global South, It’s Time for the World to Treat Natural Gas Like the Fossil Fuel It Is
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Article
Gender-Inclusive Strategies Are Key to Advancing the Energy Transition
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Report
Power Sector Growth without Liquefied Natural Gas
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Article
Climate 101: NCQG, the Most Important Climate Goal You’ve Never Heard of
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Article
Hurricane-Proof Energy for Puerto Rico
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Article
People, Workforce, and the Clean Energy Transition
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Report
Improving Electricity Supply for Large Customers in Nigeria
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News
Report: In Nigeria, A New Business Model Enables Utilities to Provide Reliable Electricity to Large Commercial and Industrial Customers
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News
RMI and CARILEC Welcome 23 New Fellows from 12 Countries Across the Caribbean to Advance Renewable Energy and Climate Resilience
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News
RMI Acquires the Clean Power Hub to Accelerate Clean Energy Workforce Development Across the Global South
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Article
Voices from the Front Lines: Unlocking Climate Finance in the Pacific
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Report
Unlocking Renewable Embedded Generation in Nigeria
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Article
Increasing Affordable Electricity Supply in Nigeria Through Embedded Generation
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News
Renewable Embedded Generation Can Shelter Nigeria from Electricity Shortage
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Article
Women Powering the Energy Transition
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News
Women in Renewable Energy Network Announces Management Transition to RMI
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News
Development of up to 3 GW of Offshore Wind Power Being Explored in the Philippines
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Article
Three Benefits of a People-Centric Energy Transition in the Global South
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Article
Max Lainfiesta: Building a Career and Cutting-Edge Energy Project Models to Extend Renewable Energy Access Globally
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Article
The Time for Radical Implementation Is Now
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Article
How the Storm-Ravaged Bahamas Can Be a Model for Resilient Energy
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Article
Catalyzing the Caribbean’s Clean Energy Transition through Strong Partnerships
