IEA: How Do We Achieve Global Energy Equality?

The International Energy Agency (IEA) has published their newest newsletter titled 'The crucial issue of access to energy worldwide' which highlights a significant disparity; while energy access is a commonplace convenience in well-developed nations, numerous regions globally do not have access to electricity.
The IEA's fresh insights are anchored in the goals set by the United Nations which aims to achieve universal electricity access by 2030. Such objectives underscore the global commitment towards equal energy distribution—an essential stepping stone for sustainable development.
The state of global electricity access
From recent figures, a concerning picture has emerged: hundreds of millions across the globe are deprived of elementary electricity services. While progress has been made in past decades with large parts of Asia, Africa, and South America gaining grid connections, the pandemic stalled further achievements in this area.
Despite a global population increase in 2022, which common logic would suggest could worsen the electricity deficit, the actual number of people without access decreased for the first time in many years. However, although 2023 saw a resumed decline in individuals living without electricity, the pace is sluggish compared to pre-pandemic times.
Dr Faith Birol, the IEA Executive Director, articulates a pressing need for amped-up efforts: “The current rate of progress in energy efficiency is disappointingly slow, given the critical role it can play in improving energy security, reducing energy costs and lowering emissions”.
Electricity access: Comparing Asia and Africa
In the last decade, more than half a billion people obtained electricity, attributing this expansion to developmental economic activities. However, in 2019, Asia still had 157 million of its populace languishing without electric power despite having the fastest growing electricity demand globally.
Remarkably, countries like India, Indonesia, and Bangladesh all achieved universal electricity access between 2021 and 2023. Contrastingly, Africa lags, notably in sub-Saharan regions where a whopping 98% of the continent’s un-electrified populace reside.
In Africa, disparities are stark; for instance, Egypt boasts a full electricity coverage whereas South Sudan hovers at a mere 6.7%. Despite possessing 60% of the world's primo solar resources, only 20% of Africa's electricity was generated from renewable sources in 2018.
However, 2023 marked a turning point for sub-Saharan Africa with a notable uptick in home solar-based systems, which represented over a third of the new electrical connections.
The rejuvenation in the pace of new grid connections is nearing pre-pandemic levels, underscoring a potential bright future. Meanwhile, Asian regions surge ahead with renewables constituting 27% of their electricity portfolio in 2023—a striking contrast influenced perhaps by Vietnam’s solar capacity, which skyrocketed approximately 18,380% from 2018 to 2022.
Outlook on sustainable energy efforts
Global policies aimed at widening electricity accessibility and advancing clean cooking methods—which over 2 billion people globally lack—have seen enhancement. According to IEA's assessments, these improved policies now encompass nations home to over 30% of individuals deprived of these basic amenities.
While the trajectory towards universally accessible, sustainable energy might be steadying its course post-pandemic, a reflective consideration looms: how different might our progress have looked if not for the global health crisis?
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