Clean energy developments

1.3 billion individuals across the globe, almost 20% of the world’s population, lack access to basic electricity mostly in emerging markets. If all of the energy currently generated in Africa were equally distributed, it would be enough to turn on one standard light bulb per person for a mere three hours per day. The following articles detail some new initiatives that are aiming to combat this pressing worldwide issue.

US energy department to support clean energy initiative on CTBR
The US Department of Energy has announced $3.2 million in funding for the launch of the National Incubator Initiative for Clean Energy (NIICE). The funding will be allotted to existing clean energy incubators and aims to improve performance amongst them through establishing best practices and improving coordination in the incubator performance. Ultimately, the program aims to strengthen support for and catalyze investment in early-stage cleantech companies seeking the resources to scale their technologies across the globe.

EU Announces Funding For Electrification In Rural Africa on Energy Matters
The European Commission has announced funding of over $130 million for clean energy projects across nine countries in Africa. Through different initiatives such as rent-to-own home solar systems in Tanzania and the distribution of small household solar kits in Uganda, the project aims to benefit 2 million people across the continent. Through improved rural electrification, communities in the remote and poor areas of Africa can benefit through improved healthcare, education and opportunities to make a living.

A spark of new energy in Africa by Sasha Harris-Lovett on Phys.org
A new project from the International Renewable Energy Agency will bring together top government officials from 22 countries in eastern and southern Africa to increase the use of renewable energy in the African electric grid. Renewable energy currently makes up less than two percent of the power supply for this region, despite high solar irradiation and wind capacity. The Africa Clean Energy Corridor will connect the resources and communications of the 22 countries in order to identify zones most ideal for the development of renewable energy production. On a continent with over fifty independent countries, each with its own drastically different situation, coordination efforts like this will be crucial to both increasing clean power production and bringing electricity access to the millions who currently lack it.

Asian bank, UN agencies launch sustainable energy hub to bring investment, innovation to Asia by Teresa Cerojano on StarTribune
The United Nations and the Asian Development Bank announced a coordinated effort to bring clean energy to the Asia Pacific region, an area home to 600 million people lacking electricity that has seen the demand for energy soar in recent years. By 2035, it is predicted that 56% of all global energy use will come from developing countries in the Asia Pacific region. The Sustainable Energy for All Hub will assist countries in the region in aligning their specific plans of action with the UN’s goal of ensuring universal access to modern energy by 2030. The effort will bring investors, innovators and industry experts together in an effort to overcome the crippling issue of energy poverty. The Asian Development Bank has already made efforts to this goal through its investment in our portfolio company Simpa Networks; we are glad that our co-investor is partnering with the UN to continue to multiply the impact.

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