Energy access - policy documents
Access to energy
Document library
Access to basic, clean energy services is essential for sustainable development and poverty eradication, and provides major benefits in the areas of health, literacy and equity. However, over two billion people today have no access to modern energy services.
Poor people's energy outlook 2010 (PDF, 2.4Mb)
This report presents the perspective of those living in energy poverty and those for whom energy access has been life changing. It will be of interest to anyone seeking to better understand energy access and its role in development at a human scale, and should be required reading for the international energy sector and programme planners at national and local levels.
Powerful solutions to poverty (PDF, 1.4Mb)
A life without energy condemns people to a life of poverty. This report outlines the problems that lack of access to energy can cause, and demonstrates that simple solutions can provide access to energy cheaply and sustainably. Read as web page | download PDF
Energy poverty: the hidden crisis (PDF, 2.5Mb)
International development agencies, donors and governments in low-income countries need to make energy access for the poor a priority if they are meet the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) and eradicate poverty. This briefing paper looks at the existing barriers to energy access and the sustainable solutions that could overcome them. Read as web page | download PDF
Energy poverty and renewable energy technologies in South Asia
Practical Action South Asia published two research studies on Renewable Energy Technologies and Energy Poverty in South Asia, ahead of a three-day workshop on the hidden energy crisis in South Asia in 2009.
How to Engage with GATS: Practical Action and service provision for the poorest (PDF, 3Mb)
We believe that the GATS process as it stands does not have the potential to develop appropriate, poverty-focused services. This policy document, commissioned by Practical Action from Dr Jonathan Cloke of Newcastle University, details the concerns we have over the existing GATS process, especially with respect to the most vulnerable sectors in the socially structured poverty that exists in the global south: women, indigenous peoples, Dalit communities etc.
The Africa-EU Energy Partnership and Civil Society
A briefing paper on the Africa-EU Energy Partnership (AEEP), which aims to scale up investment in energy infrastructure, to promote renewable energy and energy efficiency and improve management of energy resources.
Boiling Point
Boiling Point is a journal for those working with stoves and household energy. It deals with technical, social, financial and environmental issues and aims to improve the quality of life for poor communities living in the developing world. All issues are available online via Practical Action and HEDON.
Papers
The following papers were presented at recent seminars and workshops:
Bridging the funding gap to ensure energy access for the poor (PDF, 259k)
Presented at "Financing energy access for the poor", a Practical Action event at the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) 15, New York.
Decentralised energy schemes: the option for most rural poor
Presented at Small is beautiful: making decentralised energy a reality, a side event at the the UN Commission on Sustainable Development (CSD) 14, New York.
Energy options for the poor in Africa and Latin America
Practical Action organised a two-day workshop in Brussels, making a call for decentralised energy options to be at the top of the European Commission's agenda to combat poverty in rural areas of Africa and Latin America. The workshop report and all presentations are available to download.
Related issues
The following Practical Action websites provide more information on issues related to energy access for the poor:
GATS & Reforms
A website from Practical Action South Asia, addressing service sector liberalisation from a developmental perspective through informative policy advocacy. This site brings together the studies, analysis and documents generated by the Practical Action GATS and Reforms team on both water and electricity liberalisation. See also GATS and the threat to community electricity
Smoke - indoor air pollution Smoke in the home from cooking on wood, dung and crop waste kills nearly one million children a year. In its report, Smoke: the Killer in the Kitchen, Practical Action is calling for global action to save the lives of 1.6 million men, women and children lost each year to lethal levels of household smoke. More »