ACCESS Coalition held a side-event during the Africa Regional Climate Week and Africa Climate Summit held in Nairobi. The topic was on ‘Examining Decentralized Energy Systems in Africa: Solutions for Off-Grid Communities’.
The side-event featured an informative panel discussion that delved into the challenges, opportunities, and best practices associated with decentralized energy systems.
In ensuring there is increased energy access in Africa that leaves no one behind, there’s need to examine how decentralized energy systems in Africa can offer solutions to off-grid communities and increase uptake of energy access while ensuring a just and equitable energy transition.
Dan Kithinji, Director for Renewable Energy at Kenya’s Ministry of Energy and Petroleum, reiterated the Kenyan government’s commitment to accelerate access to clean cooking by 2028 and access to electricity by 2030. To achieve these goals, the county governments need more support in accelerating uptake of decentralized energy systems in off-grid communities. “The continent has huge potential for hydro, wind, solar and geothermal power. All that we need is investments and technology to connect off-grid communities, and drive green growth,” he said.
Prof. Ed Brown, the Research Director at Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) Programme observed that there are different levels of readiness in Africa for energy transitions. Countries such as Kenya and Ghana have 75% and 80% access to the electricity grid, which provides an opportunity to enhance access to clean cooking. He underscored the importance of working with Civil Society Organizations (CSOs) to dismantle the myths about clean cooking and share knowledge on productive uses of energy that will increase demand and consumption of electricity.
Energy access is the key enabler for sustainable development. It provides multiple benefits ranging from socio-economic development for local communities. Globally, about 1 billion people access unreliable electricity networks and in Africa, about 620 million people do not have access to modern electricity services. This stifles income-generating activities and hampers the provision of basic services such as education and healthcare.
John Kioli, Chairman of ACCESS Coalition and Kenya Climate Change Working Group (KCCWG), emphasized that energy action plans are required to enhance access to clean energy and clean cooking technologies in communities. “The majority of East Africa’s population uses biomass energy for cooking. We need to marshal counties and regional entities to develop action plans on modern energy that will help boost clean energy access,” he said.
Koiaile Monaheng, a Renewable Energy Expert from CAN International said, “We have to include the needs of communities to make appropriate interventions that are sustainable and relevant to the local context. Only then, will we transition from fossil fuels in a just and sustainable way.”
Patricia Mbogo, International Coordinator at ACCESS Coalition added that energy is a nexus issue that cuts across different sectors. Stakeholders need to address the energy needs of off-grid communities by investing more in decentralized renewable energy systems.
Speakers from the financial institutions reaffirmed the commitments of public and private banks to financing decentralized energy systems. Eric Naivasha, the Associate Director of Energy, Environment and Climate Change at the Equity Group Foundation stated the bank’s commitment in pre-financing projects on decentralized energy systems in off-grid communities in East and Central Africa, with the aim of facilitating access to energy finance.
Dr. Olufunso Somorin, the Regional Principal Officer of Climate Change and Green Growth, at the African Development Bank (AfDB) highlighted the correlation between a country’s development and energy access. “There’s a need to increase energy financing and build strong partnerships for implementing off-grid energy projects in Africa,” he said.
The key takeaways from the side event were on forging partnerships and networks to foster upscaling decentralized energy system projects in African countries that will increase access to clean energy for all.