Energy access and RENEW

Energy poverty remains a critical challenge for poverty alleviation and sustainable development worldwide. Over 1.4 billion people around the world lack access to electricity today, and up to 2.7 billion people rely on the traditional use of biomass for cooking. The consequences of energy poverty are many, with significant implications for health, environment, and economic advancement. 

Renewable energy technologies (RETs) and energy efficient appliances are often suggested as promising solutions for the alleviation of energy poverty. Despite this, the potential of these technologies to provide access to basic energy services remains under-exploited. The RENEW IS-Academy is a five year, collaborative research project investigating renewable energy, energy poverty, and implications for development cooperation.