Tuesday
January 4
2022

Analysis: Influence of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Electricity Access

By Manijushree Banerjee

In this world, about 771 million people still lack access to electricity. Providing basic electricity is not adequate towards attaining sustainable development, it also needs assurance of quality supply that is both environment friendly and affordable to the users. One amongst the targets of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) Number 7 is ensuring universal access to affordable and reliable electricity by 2030. The world made progress in electrification rates leading to 90 percent of the population with access to electricity in the year 2019 from the corresponding figure of 83 percent in the year 2000. However, the Sustainable Development Goals Report 2021 indicates that, at the present pace, about 660 million people may remain without electricity by 2030. In addition to this, the COVID-19 pandemic has reversed the past progress in electricity access, says the International Energy Agency (IEA). SDG 7 directly or indirectly supports other SDGs and reversal in electricity access rates may, therefore, influence the progress of other SDGs. This article discusses the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on electricity access, in context of consumption as well as supply.

Photo courtesy of Knut-Erik Helle.

Source: ORF (link opens in a new window)

Categories
Energy
Tags
energy access, off-grid energy, SDGs