Globally, the influx of solar and wind energy, combined with ever smarter grids and storage capacity is changing the landscape of our energy systems. And where many developing countries still suffer grinding energy poverty, investment in renewable energy that is oriented to rural and remote community needs, is not only possible, it is cost effective and can be truly transformative.
The sustainable development goals identify the importance of clean and affordable energy (Goal 7) as a key requirement for achieving many of the other SDGs – to reduce poverty, support the human rights of people globally, and to ensure a healthy environment and sustainable world.
There remains an urgent need for investment into renewables, as energy poverty is a contributor to hampering effective responses to disease and pandemics.
Our Work to Promote Renewable Energy
We know that to generate the lasting change we need to bring together the political interests in energy planning, along with community know-how, and private sector providers and innovators. Rapid deployment of off-grid technologies is one key pillar to effective response – especially for the remote peoples and the 789 million globally who are living without access to electricity. In South Asia we’ve been sharing experiences in renewable energy policy development between neighboring countries of India, Bangladesh, Nepal and Myanmar to foster the expansion of community-level renewables – micro and pico-hydro, distributed solar and wind in particular.
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Latest News
- PRESS RELEASE | Namibia at an Energy Crossroads: continue relying on climate-risky hydropower or harness its abundant and cost-effective renewables
TMP Public electricity sector assessment demonstrates that solar and wind represent the least-cost pathway to meeting Namibia’s current and future energy demand FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 18, 2023 Media contacts: … Read more - Guinea is at a crossroads in meeting its energy needs and respecting rights
New study shows solar alternatives would cost less and outperform the proposed Koukoutamba Dam in Guinea by Josh Klemm & Ibrahima Kalil Bamba During a trip to Guinea last month, … Read more - Sustainable Energy for all: making a case for community-scale micro-hydro as the solution
By Nalori Chakma, South Asia Senior Programme Coordinator, Transboundary Rivers of South Asia The brief on Sustainable Energy for all: making a case for community-scale micro-hydro as the solution (2021) … Read more - Renewable Energy Exchange 2019 (TROSA)
By: Ayesha DSouza Working on the Transboundary Rivers of South Asia program to advance uptake of small scale, renewable energy as an alternative to large dams, our teams in the … Read more