Being in the dark and turning on the light is an everyday gesture for millions of people. However, for many others, this simple act is an unattainable luxury. According to recent UN reports, Nearly a billion people in the world live without electricity, which has serious implications for their quality of life and economic development.
The impact of the global electricity shortage
The lack of electricity is not just a matter of personal comfort. Electricity is a fundamental pillar for modern development, affecting everything from access to education, health systems, to job opportunities. In fact, the UN warns that despite current efforts, some 100 million people are still living without electricity. 780 million people will still be living without access to the electricity grid in 2030, concentrated mainly in Africa and Asia.
These regions, particularly sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia, face the greatest challenges in terms of electrification. According to data from the International Energy Agency (IEA), population growth in these regions far outstrips the number of new electricity connections, leading to a continuing deficit in access to electricity.
Progress and barriers in rural electrification
95% of the world's population without access to electricity lives in rural areas of Africa and AsiaWhile progress has been made through the installation of solar home systems and solar mini-grids, efforts have not been sufficient to cover the entire population. Much of rural areas face infrastructure and financing barriers, making it difficult to implement sustainable energy solutions on a large scale.
However, some progress has been made. Between 2010 and 2023, several countries such as Kenya and Bangladesh have made significant progress in rural electrification through the use of solar home systems. In Africa, more than 25 million people will have access to electricity for the first time between 2018 and 2023, mainly through off-grid solar systems and mini-grids.
Solar energy and its contribution to sustainable development
Solar energy, especially in decentralized systems, has become a key solution to reduce energy poverty and meet energy targets. Sustainable Development GoalsAccording to the World Bank, technologies such as solar mini-grids and home solar systems are revolutionizing the energy landscape in rural areas.
Thanks to lower production costs, more efficient batteries and easy access to financing schemes, renewable energies are taking a leading role in the electrification of rural areas. Added to this is the effort to create more accessible and attractive policies for investment in sustainable energies.
How energy poverty affects daily life
Energy poverty is not limited to the lack of electricity, but includes the lack of access to clean fuels and technologies for cooking. Today, more than 2.100 billion people still cook with methods that generate pollution, such as burning wood or coal. This problem is directly related to energy poverty in areas where electricity remains a luxury.
The use of polluting fuels for cooking not only affects the health of those who use them – causing 3,2 million premature deaths per year – but also creates a socioeconomic burden, particularly on women and children, who spend several hours a day collecting firewood.
Initiatives and solutions to combat energy poverty
At a global level, organisations such as the World Bank, the IEA and the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) are leading specific programmes to eradicate energy poverty. Among the most notable projects are:
- Solar mini-grids: These mini-grids allow the electrification of entire villages in remote locations without the need for large infrastructures.
- Home solar systems: Individual devices that provide energy solutions to homes without access to the grid, guaranteeing energy for basic needs.
- Clean kitchens: Initiatives that seek to replace polluting fuels with clean and efficient cooking technologies, thereby reducing emissions and improving the health of families.
These solutions not only improve quality of life, but also promote sustainable development by reducing carbon emissions and creating economic opportunities.
While the barriers are diverse, examples of success in countries such as Nepal, which has implemented rural electrification programs through solar mini-grids, show that it is possible to move towards a future with universal access to electricity.
The challenge at a global level is significant, but with the support of international organizations, innovative policies and decentralized renewable energy, it is possible to ensure that access to electricity and clean technologies ceases to be a privilege and becomes a universal right in the near future.