Greater Focus for Clean Energy Access to Populations in Remote Areas Needed for 2030 Target

All facets and sectors of the world are in one way or another reliant on a form of energy to power and to function as advertised. Both human and economic development have foundations that rely on energy supplies and without adequate amount of energy, the constraint it has on human and economic development will be observable on a global scale. SDG 7 has set itself towering goals by 2030 which are:

Universal access to affordable, reliable, and modern energy services.

A substantial increase in the share of renewable energy in global energy mix.

Double the global improvement rates in energy efficiency.

With 2030 visible right in the horizon, the deadline for the targets of SDG 7 is becoming more urgent due to the high amount of population that still do not have access to reliable and clean energy. If we are to achieve the goal of SDG 7 before 2030, we must address the issue of identifying the populations that have no access to clean energy and offering energy access solutions based on their circumstances and needs.

Regions of Focus for Access to Clean Energy

When we look at the countries and areas that are lacking access to clean energy, the overwhelming results show that the regions that need the most attention are rural and remote regions in underdeveloped and developing nations. According to UN Environment, there is an estimated one billion people who live without access to electricity which hinders their development opportunities, and this amount of population that do not have access to electricity live in rural and remote areas.

On the surface, the notion that remote and rural areas have a greater difficulty in accessing energy is simple to comprehend, the real challenge is on how to provide clean energy towards these isolated areas that is reliable, sustainable, and adequate. In reality, the challenge is complex due to the vulnerability in such areas. For instance, from a social point of view, a study concluded that social inequalities are based on three dimensions of vulnerability: wellbeing, degree of exposure to risk, and the capacity to face risks effectively. From an economic perspective, vulnerability is defined as the risk of a poor country to natural shocks (natural disasters, e.g., earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, floods, and droughts) and exogenous economic shocks (price volatility, international fluctuations of interest rates, slumps in external demand, etc.), which, in turn, hamper economic growth. Eco-environmental scientists observed that vulnerability is reflected as the status of eco-environment due to natural and human disturbances, which are exacerbated by climate change.

Hence, to reduce the negative impact of vulnerability on different contexts, it is crucial to have a thorough comprehension of the factors that contribute to it, considering the local social, economic, environmental, and political conditions. With the emphasis of the 2030 Agenda on addressing the needs of the most vulnerable countries, including island nations, the discussion is centered on the provision of electricity in small islands and rural areas within developing countries.

Addressing the vulnerable energy access in remote and rural areas

To achieve reliability in the energy sector in these areas, one approach is to develop more resilient energy systems by reducing dependence on imported energy resources and promoting the use of renewable energy technologies. However, it is important to go beyond the mere introduction of environmentally friendly technology. Solutions should be designed in a holistic manner, taking into consideration the collaboration of society, economics, and governance aspects. To present a compelling value proposition, a comprehensive analysis and discussion should be conducted regarding a combination of technologies, associated costs and funding, the allocation of responsibilities among different partners in terms of management, operation, and maintenance.

Off-Grid Renewable Energy Systems: A flexible standalone energy system
Renewable energy solutions for remote locations, particularly those off-grid, have gained significant attention in recent years. Energy plays a crucial role in human development, sustainable economic growth, and environmental sustainability. This significance becomes even more relevant in contexts with limited development opportunities, where markets are constrained by size and remote location, such as small islands and rural communities. Small islands, in particular, are geographically isolated, while rural communities often face challenges in accessing energy. There are approximately 1785 small islands worldwide with populations ranging from 1000 to 100,000 inhabitants. In general, these islands rely on non interconnected power generation systems, typically powered by diesel plants. However, this reliance on diesel power plants comes with challenges, including high electricity costs and limited reliability, especially in the face of extreme climate changes. These solutions offer a sustainable and reliable source of power in areas where conventional electricity grids are absent or unreliable.

The identification of economic activities is crucial when designing an appropriate energy generation system, as it is closely linked to the electricity demand. For example, small islands with thriving tourism industries tend to experience higher economic growth and subsequently higher electricity consumption. From a sustainability perspective, it is important for the main economic activities on small islands to contribute to the energy transition. A case study demonstrated this by proposing a business model that utilized tourist fees to fund renewable energy projects. While there are significant differences in economic activities between rural areas and small islands, ensuring affordable electricity services is essential for energy justice in both cases. Energy providers should not introduce an energy system that communities either cannot afford or do not require.

In developing countries with low electrification rates, power grids typically extend to urban areas and their immediate rural surroundings. The implementation and investment in electrification programs in these areas are justified by higher population densities and household incomes. However, the majority of the population without access to electricity resides in remote and rural areas, where it is highly unlikely that they will be connected to the main power grids. To address this issue, various technology options are available for improving electricity access in rural areas.

These options include the extension of existing grids, the creation of isolated mini-grid systems, or the utilization of stand-alone off-grid power generation systems. However, relying solely on the extension of existing grids or isolated mini-grid systems is not feasible or practical in reality to achieve the SDG7.1.1 of providing electricity for all and closing the gap for the remaining 10% of the global population without access to electricity.

In these remote and rural areas, decentralized stand-alone off-grid power generation systems offer viable electrification options. These systems utilize locally available indigenous energy resources such as solar, wind, hydro, biomass, and geothermal energy. By tapping into these renewable energy sources, off-grid power generation systems can provide reliable electricity access and help bridge the electrification gap in these underserved areas.