Currently, 685 million people still lack reliable access to electricity , jeopardizing not only social well-being but also the economy and food security. In addition, 1.8 billion people could rely on unsafe cooking methods by 2030 , exacerbating environmental and public health problems. In light of this scenario, global leaders gathered at a special UN-Energy event to accelerate strategies to expand the supply of clean energy and ensure an equitable transition.
UN Under-Secretary-General for Economic and Social Affairs Navid Hanif has stressed the need to make clean energy an affordable right for all, not a privilege. He said the energy transition must be accelerated to meet the 1.5°C climate target set out in the Paris Agreement and global partnerships must be leveraged to ensure that no community is left behind.
Despite progress on Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) , which calls for universal access to sustainable energy by 2030, progress still falls short of the targets. UN General Assembly President Philemon Yang has warned that the energy transition is crucial for sustainable development, calling for substantial financing and bold action to eliminate poverty and mitigate climate change.
Investments and solutions to close the energy gap
The challenges of global electrification are compounded by the geographic disparity in investment. In 2022, international public finance for clean energy in developing countries reached $15.4 billion , a 25% increase from 2021. However, much of sub-Saharan Africa remains excluded from this financial flow, leaving 567 million people without access to electricity .
IRENA Director-General Francesco La Camera highlighted the essential role of decentralised renewables , which offer cost-effective and scalable solutions for remote communities. Off-grid renewable energy capacity has almost doubled in recent years, reaching 11.1 GW in 2023 and providing electricity to 155 million people globally .
The UN and experts have stressed the need to ease debt constraints, boost private investment and modernize electricity infrastructure to expand electrification. Partnerships between governments, institutions and companies are essential to enable affordable financing and ensure solid regulatory frameworks that reduce investment risks.
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