The key role of renewable energy in developing countries

In the developed countries there is a boom in the development, manufacture and use of clean energies y renewableHowever, this phenomenon does not occur with the same intensity in the Poor countries o underdeveloped, where the energy matrix is ​​still based on oil, gas and coal.

Low investment in strengthening their energy capacity is a failure not only from an economic perspective but also from a humanitarian perspective, as it prevents many countries from improving the quality of life of their inhabitants. Furthermore, when they do invest, they do so in energy plants that are not sustainable, such as coal-fired plants or large hydroelectric dams that can have a negative environmental impact.

Lack of access to clean energy in poor countries

What is more worrying is that million people in the developing world do not have access to modern energy. According to the World Bank, more of 759 million people do not have electricity, and many more use polluting fuels such as kerosene or firewood, which leads to health risks and environmental problems. Reliable and affordable access to electricity is key to combating poverty.

Around one in seven people lack electricity. In regions such as sub-Saharan Africa, this is a particularly serious problem. In countries such as Liberia, only 2% of the population has access to electricity on a consistent basis. This low percentage is also present in many other African nations, such as Burundi or Chad, where more than 90% of the population lives without electricity.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) notes that economic development depends largely on the availability of modern, reliable and competitively priced energy. Without this energy, economic activities cannot prosper, perpetuating poverty in the most vulnerable regions of the planet.

The huge potential of renewable energy in the poorest countries

La ONU has been promoting the use of clean energy in poor countries for years, and rightly so. These countries have an abundance of natural resources that can be harnessed to produce clean energy. Whether solar, wind, hydroelectric, geothermal or biomass, the Renewable energy has vast potential which has not yet been sufficiently exploited.

In many of these countries, the sun shines all year round and the winds blow strongly, but a lack of political will and adequate financing has prevented these resources from being properly harnessed. Solar energy, in particular, could play a crucial role, as seen in Bangladesh, where a massive solar electrification programme has been successfully implemented.

Access to renewable energy is not only an environmental issue, but also an essential tool for human development and poverty eradication. These energy sources allow rural communities to access basic services such as education and healthcare, which depend on a stable electrical infrastructure.

The role of renewable energy in the fight against poverty

The renewable energy should not be seen as a luxury exclusive to developed countries. All countries, regardless of their wealth, can benefit from their use. In fact, solar and wind energy They are ideal for many poor regions as they are easy to install, have low maintenance costs and do not require complex infrastructure, making them ideal for rural areas.

A key point is that renewable energies allow for a sustainable economic developmentBy reducing dependence on expensive imported fossil fuels, poor countries can begin to develop their own energy resources, which will save them money and contribute to local job creation. This, in turn, can help reduce the inequality both locally and globally.

Successful models: swarm networks and energy communities

An innovative solution to provide access to renewable energy in rural and remote areas has been the creation of so-called swarm networks, small distributed networks that can supply power to several homes or even small villages.

Swarm networks allow households and small businesses to share energy produced by sources such as solar power. These networks are especially useful in places where it is difficult or too expensive to connect communities to the main power grid.

In the Vanuatu ArchipelagoIn one of the world’s poorest countries, swarm networks are providing electricity to communities that previously relied solely on diesel generators. Expectations are high: the government plans to expand these networks to electrify all of its islands using 100% renewable energy. This is an example of how renewable energy can transform people’s lives in countries where access to energy was considered a luxury.

Investment in renewable energy: an urgent need

Despite the obvious potential of renewable energy in developing countries, investment in these technologies has not been sufficient. In many cases, rich countries and multilateral banks are still allocating more funds to fossil fuel projects to clean energy, which prevents poor countries from moving towards a more sustainable economy.

Between 2020 and 2022, the G20 countries allocated more than 142.000 million to fossil fuel projects in poor nations, while only $104.000 billion was allocated to clean energy. This contradicts commitments to combat climate change and perpetuates dependence on fossil fuels in these nations.

The development of new technologies, together with global policies that facilitate the financing of clean energy in these countries, will be key in the coming years to change this trend and allow a more sustainable future for all nations.

Clean energy not only helps save the planet; it is also key to improving the daily lives of millions of people, providing a accessible, non-polluting and cheap way to produce the electricity they need to survive and improve their lives.