Off-grid solar solutions have emerged as the most effective means to bridge the global electricity gap, according to a report released on Tuesday by the World Bank in Nairobi, Kenya.
The 2024 Off-Grid Solar Market Trends Report highlights that off-grid solar remains the most economical way to provide power to nearly 400 million people worldwide who currently lack access to electricity. The report indicates that off-grid solar solutions have already facilitated 55 percent of new electricity connections in sub-Saharan Africa between 2020 and 2022, a region where over 80 percent of the unelectrified population resides.
Launched during the Global Off-Grid Solar Forum and Expo 2024, the report underscores the critical role of off-grid solar in addressing energy access challenges. The three-day event gathered over 1,500 delegates, including government officials and industry leaders, to focus on the future of energy access.
Currently, about 685 million people around the world still do not have access to electricity. As of the end of 2023, more than 560 million people globally rely on off-grid solar solutions to power their households and commercial enterprises, marking a significant milestone toward bridging the energy divide.
\"Providing access to affordable, clean electricity is critical for lifting people out of poverty on a livable planet,\" said Fan Qimiao, World Bank Country Director for Kenya, Rwanda, Somalia, and Uganda. \"Off-grid solar will play a critical role in reaching households and accelerating electricity access for businesses, schools, and health centers, unlocking development across sectors.\"
Echoing this sentiment, Sarah Malm, Executive Director at GOGLA, the global association for the off-grid solar industry, noted the industry's resilience amid challenging macroeconomic conditions. \"The off-grid solar industry has shown tremendous resilience,\" she said. \"However, $21 billion is needed to create a financially sustainable off-grid solar sector that can serve the hardest to reach and help achieve energy access and climate goals.\"
The report, published by the World Bank's Energy Sector Management Assistance Program and GOGLA, emphasizes the importance of investment and support for the off-grid solar sector to meet global energy needs and contribute to climate change mitigation efforts.
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Report shows off-grid solar provides ways to bridge electricity gap
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