Approximately 685 million people around the globe have no access to electricity, mostly in remote and rural areas. Even when electricity is available, communities in remote areas must rely on expensive and polluting fossil fuels for their energy needs, which has a negative impact on local air quality and potential spill risks in often-vulnerable communities. Supporting these communities as they look for ways to shift toward cleaner energy sources is crucial for achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal of affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all.
Today, the Government of Canada is pleased to announce a $500,000 contribution to Phase 2 of the Global Initiative for Transitioning Remote Communities to Renewable Energy, in partnership with the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), to continue support for the transition of remote communities to renewable energy. Activities under Phase 2 will include:
- Developing five case studies of successful and innovative business models adopted by remote renewable energy projects from around the world
- Conducting detailed country-level assessments of renewable energy potential in remote communities
- Organizing workshops and technical discussions to develop the skills and knowledge of community members and policymakers in the areas of planning, installation, operations and maintenance of renewable energy projects in remote communities.
This announcement comes as government officials, experts, practitioners and community members from around the world gather in Gaborone, Botswana, for the sixth edition of the International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC). This flagship IRENA conference is dedicated to off-grid renewable energy and provides a platform for participants to share experiences and best practices on the design and implementation of enabling policies, tailored financing schemes, innovative business models and technology applications for stand-alone and mini-grid systems.
