Mini-grids take centre stage in achieving SDG goal 7 for Africa

Providing access to reliable and affordable energy is essential to economic growth within Africa. Despite years of progress toward improving energy access, COVID-19 set back advances leading to a decline in energy access across the continent. It is estimated that up to 30 million people lost access to electricity due to the economic impacts of the pandemic. Slow progress and disruptions caused by COVID-19 means that Africa is not on track to achieving SDG 7 (affordable and clean energy). Approximately 90 million people per year will need to receive energy access, with approximately $200 billion required to make this happen in Sub-Saharan Africa(SSA) to meet the SDG7. This feat can not only be accomplished through extending central grids; however, we believe that decentralised renewable energy (DRE) will play an important role in achieving this goal.

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