Will you bridge a conversation between opposing viewpoints on distributed energy?

Client: Rockefeller Foundation

Context

The future of energy is decentralized. Rapidly falling costs and improving technology mean that distributed energy is ready to play a major role in modern energy systems. By 2030, electricity must power all people and economies sustainably. Our client leads research to unlock affordable, reliable power and make distributed energy a core component of integrated electricity systems. For the two billion people living with no or unreliable access to electricity, distributed energy provides a pathway to economic inclusion and prosperity.

What we did

We conducted a series of workshops and in-depth interviews with key leaders in Sub-Saharan African countries. The objective was to bridge the different views on the benefits of distributed energy solutions. It was important to capture the cultural nuances of local views, habits, practices, and community demands.

Impact

Support for better coordination between responsible ministries, NGOs, and power providers to work together with community leaders. For example, when a community reaches an average electricity consumption of 200 kWh per person, it opens up a new world of opportunity. This energy can electrify small businesses, unlock agricultural productivity, and increase incomes.