Expanding the Green People’s Energy initiative in rural regions

Project description

Title: Green People’s Energy initiative
Commissioned by: German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)​​​​​​​
Country: Ethiopia, Benin, Côte D’Ivoire, Ghana, Mozambique, Zambia, Senegal, Uganda, Namibia​​​​​​​
Lead executing agency: Energy ministries and rural energy agencies in the selected countries; additional executing agencies for specific measures​​​​​​​
Overall term: 2018 to 2023

Context

In sub-Saharan Africa many places have no reliable power supplies. With the technologies available locally, energy is mostly generated using fossil fuels, which tends to be expensive, inefficient and hazardous to health. Energy requirements in Africa will continue to climb disproportionately as a result of rapid population growth, increasing economic activity and a higher standard of living.

An adequate energy supply must be secured to allow for long-term economic development and for countries to achieve the United Nation's goal to ‘Ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all’. On account of climate change, the future energy supply in Africa needs to be based on renewables and to be significantly expanded, particularly in rural regions. Improved access to energy can ensure both growth and an energy transition.

Objective

Conditions for supplying regions in rural Africa with decentralised renewable energy have improved, with local people and the private sector involved in energy expansion measures.

Approach

The project implements five components in support of efforts to expand green energy in rural areas; particular emphasis is placed on the involvement of municipalities, cooperatives and local companies.

• A small-scale project fund provides financial support for projects by local stakeholders in sub-Saharan Africa.
• The project provides more effective and broader training and further education in decentralised renewable energy supply.
• It enables access to decentralised renewable energy for productive use and social institutions.
• Improved framework conditions and advisory services facilitate an increase in investments.
• A secretariat makes information on decentralised renewable energy available, and sets up energy partnerships.

Moreover, former Member of the German Parliament, Bärbel Höhn, also supports the initiative on a voluntary basis by working to shape and publicise the initiative and by contributing her political experience and access to networks. By presenting the initiative at various events, she also helps to forge partnerships between various stakeholder groups.

Last update: October 2022