Time to accelerate off-grid renewables (IMAGE SOURCE: Adobe Stock)
Expanding off-grid renewables will be essential to bring electricity to remote homes across sub-Saharan Africa, says the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena)
In an update — timed to concede with SADC Sustainable Energy Week in Botswana this week — Irena called last year’s COP28 UAE consensus a ‘turning point’ in the global energy transition, committing to triple installed renewable energy capacity to 11.2 terawatts and double the global rate of energy efficiency improvements by 2030.
It noted that off-grid renewables will be integral to this goal, especially in developing regions of Africa.
“They not only contribute to renewable energy capacity and enhance energy efficiency at the local level, but are also uniquely positioned to expand electricity access and advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in rural and remote communities,” the update stated.
In the global context, this will be essential to sub-Saharan Africa especially.
While the number of people that lack access to electricity dropped from 1 billion in 2014 to 685 million in 2022, Irena noted that the gains in global electricity access has almost flatlined since 2018, particularly in remote and rural areas of sub-Saharan Africa.
This has led the region to now account for 83% of the global access deficit — a “concerning” increase from 50% in 2010.
“This is where off-grid renewables can play a significant role,” it noted.
“Off-grid renewable energy solutions like solar home systems and mini-grids have emerged as lifelines for remote, last-mile communities, bringing electricity access to low-income households in underserved areas. These systems have enabled essential services and powering rural economies, benefiting 155 million people in 2023.”
Although small in scale, their socioeconomic and environmental impacts can be profound, Irena added, unlocking socio-economic benefits and contributing to multiple SDGs.
Benefits include improved healthcare delivery, increased access to clean water and sanitation, and education, allowing students in remote areas to extend study hours because of better lighting and electricity.
The Abu Dhabi-based agency called for an acceleration in efforts to roll-out off-grid renewables across the continent.
“Given the role they play in climate and development goals in rural areas, off-grid renewables deployment efforts in developing countries should be accelerated, underpinned by strong international cooperation and multi-stakeholder partnerships, which Irena has been advocating for,” it stated.
It identified key ways to do this such as integrating off-grid renewables into national and regional electrification strategies and plans, introducing supportive policies and regulations, and nurturing the development of local manufacturing and assembling supply chains.
In support of the scale-up of off-grid renewables, Irena provides technical platforms, establishes multilateral partnerships and facilitates knowledge-sharing — including through its biennial International Off-grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC), which is timed this year with SADC Sustainable Energy Week, taking place from 24-28 February 2025.
This year’s IOREC in Botswana explores ways to scale up off-grid solutions to advance sustainable growth and development in Africa and beyond.
