Off-grid Renewables’ Role is Beyond Closing the Energy Access Gap

Over 666 million people remain without any access to electricity. This electricity-deprived population is more likely to live in remote areas and have lower incomes. Owing to their ease of deployment and their cost efficiency, decentralised renewable energy (DRE) solutions are set to play a growing role in closing the access gap in underserved communities.

Although largely unrecorded in most countries, off-grid electricity production from renewables has seen steady increase. Each year, the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) attempts to illuminate major trends in global off-grid renewable energy deployment, through its annual Off-grid Renewable Energy Statistics report.

At the end of 2024, global off-grid renewable power capacity reached 11.1 gigawatts (GW), connecting 86 million people to electricity. Africa alone accounted for over three-quarters of the total beneficiaries in 2024.

Over 2 million off-grid renewable systems were delivering energy services across various end-use sectors (e.g. agriculture, health, education, public lighting, tourism, and communication) excluding households. However, the majority of households with no grid access using off-grid systems had under 8 hours of electricity per day for basic lighting and entertainment (phone and radio) purposes in 2024. This indicates that many off-grid households still lack access to sufficient energy services that can enhance their livelihoods.

Off-grid renewable power has great potential to enhance livelihoods in rural and remote areas, thus supporting the achievement of different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since DRE brings electricity generation and distribution close to the final consumer, its deployment creates local jobs and business opportunities (SDG8 – decent jobs and economic growth).

Off-grid solutions also increase access to clean water and sanitation (SDG6 – clean water and sanitation). With lighting and electricity, students in remote areas can extend their studying hours. They can also access digital learning and improve their education quality with the support of sustainable power (SDG4 – quality education). Greater use of off-grid products are also strengthening women and girl’s equitable economic participation in the energy workforce by making electricity more affordable for female-headed households (SDG5 – gender equality).

The below are the perfect examples of how DRE supports the different SDGs in communities that are beyond the reach of national grids, or need more reliable energy access:

Decent work and economic growth

In a coastal fishing community in Kwale County, Kenya, off-grid solar power is providing reliable electricity for cold storage. This helps local fishermen preserve their catch on days when they cannot go to work due to unpredictable sea. Members of community whose livelihoods depend on the sea reduce their dependence on a fluctuating grid. This in turn secures sustainable incomes and supports their livelihoods through fairer prices.

Gender equality

In Bugesera, Rwanda’s Eastern Province, a group of women has turned their small farm into a symbol of hope. Struggling with water access to irrigate their farm, these women came together to install a solar-powered irrigation system on their farm. Since then, they grow better-quality fruits and vegetables that feed their families and boost the local economy. This farm is a testament to their strength and the power of renewable energy, improving both the women’s and the village’s quality of life.

Clean water and sanitation

After installing an off-grid solar-powered water borehole, a school in Epworth, rural Zimbabwe, saw transformative change which extends to the community. Having gained access to clean water now, the school children who previously often skipped school due to thirst and hunger start to attend classes regularly. Their families also have access to clean water for drinking and everyday use now. But the project impact goes beyond that – the community is now learning to grow organic mushrooms on a solar-powered farm, turning waste into food.

Quality education

In Hogave, Papua New Guinea, the existence of mini-hydropower brings change to its community. Shared facilities—including the local school—now have access to sustainable, reliable electricity. Students can now gain information from digital devices, since their teacher can charge their devices easily and use them as a teaching aid in class. Students no longer have to study or do their homework in the dark in the evening, as they now have the company of lighting from the mini-hydropower.