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Mini-grids May Not Be the Answer: Why Shifts in Technology and Funding Have Changed the Energy Access Outlook in Africa
There is intense pressure to reach universal energy access by 2030, which requires a further 666 million people to be electrified, most of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. And according to Stewart Hicks at Bamboo Capital Partners, mini-grids are often viewed as a key part of the solution, leading to growing calls for more private sector investment in this technology. But he argues that this focus on mini-grids may be distracting from faster, more cost-effective approaches. He explains why mini-grids — despite being a good solution in some areas — have several under-reported constraints, and explores some emerging alternative electrification models that may present a more realistic path toward greater energy access in Africa.
- Categories
- Energy, Environment, Investing, Technology
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Analysis: Waste-To-Energy Plants Are a Disaster for the Environment but India Is Building More
The incinerators have high capital costs and usually receive financial support from international institutions and subsidies in India.
- Region
- Asia Pacific
- Tags
- energy access, human rights, recycling, waste
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Nigeria’s Federal Government Targets One Million MSMEs, 50,000 Jobs With Renewable Energy Programme
". . . the minister said the programme would deploy renewable energy solutions to one million businesses, reduce production costs for MSMEs, expand financial inclusion and promote inclusive economic growth."
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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Analysis: Unlocking Waste-to-Energy for Energy Security and Regional Growth
Energy security has become a pressing global concern. Recent disruptions in energy markets have underscored the vulnerabilities of relying on centralized systems fueled by imported commodities. Mass-burn WtE facilities offer potential solutions here: stable, dispatchable electricity and heat from a fuel—municipal waste—that every city produces locally and continuously. For regions heavily reliant on volatile energy imports, that is no small thing.
- Region
- Global
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BasiGo and Rubis Energy Kenya Partner to Expand EV Charging Infrastructure Across Kenya
The partnership is deploying high-power DC Fast Chargers, which will serve BasiGo Electric buses while also being available to the public.
- Categories
- Energy, Technology, Transportation
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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ADB and Partners Power Timor-Leste’s Energy Future with Landmark Investment in Solar and Battery Storage
The landmark investment—which is also Timor-Leste’s first independent power producer project —will be operated by Manatuto Renewables Power and will help to transform the country’s energy landscape by reducing reliance on imported diesel.
- Region
- South Asia
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Analysis: Why Nuclear Power Is Moving Back Into the Global Development Agenda
Nuclear power is moving back into the development-finance debate as the IAEA and World Bank Group deepen cooperation on reliable, low-carbon electricity. The shift comes as emerging economies face rising power demand, widening investment needs and growing pressure to expand energy access without locking in higher emissions.
- Categories
- Energy
- Region
- Global
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19 Firms Get $1.5 Million Grant to Boost Solar-Powered Businesses in Africa
The programme which aims to deploy 3,800 productive use appliances, including solar-powered water pumps, refrigerators and milling machines, while creating over 3,000 green jobs across the three countries.Eight Nigerian companies were among the beneficiaries selected for the initiative.
- Region
- Sub-Saharan Africa
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