Sustainable Energy for All: How mobile operators can support energy access

Over 1 billion people worldwide—or one in five—lack access to electricity, and 95% of these people live in Sub-Saharan Africa or Asia. UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon declared 2012 the International Year of Sustainable Energy for All (SEFA), and launched a global initiative with three main objectives:

  1. Ensure Universal Access to Modern Energy Services
  2. Double the Global Rate of Improvement in Energy Efficiency
  3. Double the Share of Renewable Energy in the Global Energy Mix

Mobile penetration has outpaced the growth of the electricity grid, which means at least 200 million mobile subscribers are living off-grid. This wide adoption of mobile services by underserved populations provides a new opportunity to develop energy solutions.

Mobile operators can support improved access to energy via 3 main channels:

  • Last mile distribution networks of handset retailers and airtime vendors can be used by energy product companies to reach customers
  • Mobile towers: existing power generation equipment can be used to provide access to energy services to nearby off-grid communities
  • Mobile money and payments can provide consumer financing and pay-as-you-go solutions to energy

The UN’s Energy Access infographic identifies three companies tackling SEFA’s objectives: Husk Power Systems, Solar Sister and ToughStuff. These are just a few of the vendors profiled in the CPM Vendor Directory—a snapshot of the current market and a great resource for mobile operators interested in supporting improved access to energy. The directory includes off-grid product companies, off-grid ESCOs, distribution companies, pay-as-you-go providers and community service providers.

Download the CPM Vendor Directory

Photo Source: http://www.sustainableenergyforall.org/

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