Archive for category: Electricity and Power

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Updates on SDG 9 in Brazil

SDG 9 in BrazilRecent updates on SDG 9 in Brazil show how renewable energy projects are improving infrastructure and economic opportunities in underserved communities. Sustainable Development Goal 9 (SDG 9) focuses on building resilient infrastructure, promoting sustainable industrialization and fostering innovation. In Brazil, renewable energy initiatives have expanded access to electricity while supporting regional development, job creation and poverty reduction in underserved communities.

Solar Energy in Rural Communities

In remote parts of the Brazilian Amazon, many communities still rely on expensive diesel generators and unreliable electricity systems. According to the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, nearly 1 million Brazilians live without electricity, with more than 95% located in the Amazon. An additional 2 million people rely on polluting and unreliable diesel fuel for energy access. Limited electricity access may also restrict economic opportunities, food preservation and access to education, contributing to long-term poverty in isolated communities. According to the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics (IBGE), the highest proportions of people living below the poverty line in 2023 were concentrated in the North and Northeast regions of Brazil, where access to infrastructure and public services is often more limited.

Recent updates on SDG 9 in Brazil include renewable energy initiatives aimed at expanding electricity access in underserved regions. In 2026, the Global Energy Alliance reported that students in Nossa Senhora do Livramento, also known as Uixi, received solar panels that replaced unstable diesel-generated electricity. The project improved electricity access for the local school while reducing dependence on diesel fuel.

Renewable energy infrastructure can also support poverty reduction by strengthening local economic activity. Families in Uixi rely on fishing, açaí harvesting and Brazil nut production for income. The Global Energy Alliance is working with Brazil’s government in a five-year partnership to bring renewable energy, green jobs and economic opportunity to remote Amazon communities.

Wind Energy and Economic Development

Wind energy projects have also supported development in northeastern Brazil. The region concentrates almost 90% of the country’s wind capacity, according to Brazil’s Energy Research Office. Renewable energy expansion has made northeastern Brazil an important area for infrastructure investment and economic development.

In 2023, Brazil’s minister of mines and energy said transmission investments could unlock between R$180 billion and R$200 billion in wind and solar energy projects in northeastern Brazil. The transmission auction aimed to expand infrastructure needed to move renewable electricity from the Northeast to other parts of the country. Northeastern Brazil has historically faced higher poverty rates than other regions of the country, making renewable energy investment particularly significant for local economic development.

Recent updates on SDG 9 in Brazil also include the expansion of large wind energy projects across northeastern states. In Bahia, the Serra do Assuruá wind complex reached full commercial operation in 2025. The project includes 24 wind farms, 188 turbines and 846 MW of installed capacity, according to ENGIE Brasil. During construction, the project generated approximately 3,000 direct and indirect jobs.

Renewable Infrastructure and Future Progress

Despite recent progress, many rural communities in Brazil still face limited access to reliable electricity and infrastructure. Expanding renewable energy systems in isolated regions remains challenging due to geographic barriers and limited transmission networks. However, recent investments in solar and wind energy have already improved electricity access in underserved communities.

Recent updates on SDG 9 in Brazil demonstrate how renewable energy projects can support infrastructure development and poverty reduction. Improved electricity access can strengthen schools, health services and local businesses while creating new economic opportunities in vulnerable regions. Continued investment in renewable infrastructure can help Brazil expand sustainable development while improving living conditions for rural communities.

– Natalia Fleith Gelasko

Natalia is based in Berlin, Germany and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Powering Gender Equality: How Women Light the Way Out

Powering Gender EqualityThe World Economic Forum (WEF) defines energy poverty as the lack of access to safe, reliable, quality and environmentally secure energy services for the community. In Africa, 600 million people lack access to electricity, limiting access to information, communication, education and economic opportunities. The energy crisis increases reliance on traditional, unsafe energy sources for day-to-day use, making energy poverty one of the most pressing developmental challenges today.

Women, as primary caregivers and household energy managers, bear the brunt of energy poverty. Bound by societal norms, women and young girls are often responsible for household chores, including cooking and cleaning and reliance on unsafe energy sources leads to the deterioration of both physical and mental health. This often leaves girls and young children unable to leave the home, gain an education, become financially independent or contribute to the development of their communities.

Overall, this creates a chain of events that keeps households in poverty for generations and prevents them from reaching their full potential.

The Powering Gender Equality Project

In response to Africa’s energy poverty, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) launched the Powering Gender Equality project in Ethiopia, Malawi, Madagascar and Eswatini in 2023. It is supported by the governments of Luxembourg and the Republic of Korea to enhance women’s economic empowerment while combating widespread energy poverty in Africa. The project aims to empower women-led networks and entrepreneurs to establish clean energy businesses, while encouraging energy policies that address gender disparities. 

Addressing Energy Poverty in Eswatini

In Eswatini, where women make up 52% of the population, the project has shown encouraging early results and strong potential. It trained 50 women entrepreneurs from rural communities in using sustainable energy for their homes and businesses, including solar, biogas and waste-to-fuel technologies, as well as essential business skills such as planning, marketing and management. They were also provided with clean energy starter kits, including solar panels, to launch and expand their businesses.

Partnering with the Ministry of Natural Resources and Energy, the project also developed an early-stage strategy for gender-responsive policies and capacity-building. The aim is to improve gender equality in the energy sector and create a more inclusive environment for energy planning. The trained women plan to establish and expand their businesses, power their homes, strengthen food security, send their children to school and build a sustainable future.

Addressing Energy Poverty in Madagascar

Only 2% of Madagascar’s population has access to clean cooking energy, while the rest relies on unsafe sources such as biomass and firewood. With more than three-fourths of the population living in poverty, many are especially vulnerable to this energy crisis, which contributes to serious health issues, rising pollution levels and deforestation in the region. Here, the gender-equality project trained 15 women in installing and repairing solar hub systems and biogas technologies and in establishing sustainable businesses.

UNDP also worked with local community leaders to raise awareness of these issues and build support for women’s businesses and their involvement in the energy sector. After the training, the women were provided seed funding to sell solar kits and components or to manage nanogrids, promoting sustainable energy within their communities.

The Future

Ultimately, the Powering Gender Equality project demonstrates the untapped potential of women and offers hope for combating energy poverty in Africa and worldwide. It also advances Sustainable Development Goal 7, which aims to ensure access to clean, affordable energy for all. With training, support and policy influence, empowered women can rise to the challenge and help power their households and communities, truly lighting the way out of the energy poverty trap.

– Nishtha Mahendra Kumar

Nishtha is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Grenada

Renewable Energy in GrenadaGrenada, like many other island nations in the Caribbean, faces a critical challenge: breaking its dependence on expensive, imported fossil fuels. Currently, a staggering 93% of Grenada’s energy supply relies on imported oil products. This costs that country an average of 105 million East Caribbean Dollars (ECD), draining resources that the country could better allocate locally and making the nation particularly vulnerable to global price shocks and supply disruptions. Additionally, imported oil’s monopoly on Grenada’s energy sector causes widespread energy poverty, which is the lack of energy needed to provide basic services, such as heating, cooling and cooking.

Yet, the Spice Island is planning an ambitious new course. According to the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Grenada has pledged a 40% reduction in its 2010 emissions by 2030, with the ultimate goal of using 100% renewable energy in its transport and electricity sectors. Additionally, new renewable energy initiatives can combat energy poverty by allowing families to own solar panels and generate their own electricity off the national grid. This would lower household costs, keep money in the Grenadian economy, and improve the quality of life for many impoverished Grenadians.

Challenges

Issues riddle Grenada’s path forward. Grenada’s electrical grid currently relies on diesel generators, for which cooling alone accounts for one-third of the nation’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Meanwhile, poverty remains high, with 25% of Grenadians living below the poverty line. Additionally, while there has been progress to expand the renewable energy sectors, a vast majority of Grenada’s renewable energy output comes from small-scale projects rather than large-scale government investment.

Progress on the Ground

Despite these obstacles, renewable energy in Grenada has continued to expand. In November 2024, Grenada launched a tender for a major solar project at Maurice Bichop International Airport, and while a company has not won the tender, the project continues to develop, with officials choosing the sites for the solar panels. The winning developer will secure a 25-year power purchase agreement with the state utility, Grenlec, and planners expect the project to meet 40% of Grenada’s energy grid needs.

Grenlec has also announced that the construction of a new substation and upgraded grid infrastructure is underway on the island. Improving the efficiency of the grid and lessening overall waste. This project will also create a resilient microgrid at the airport, allowing for reliable power during prolonged grid outages.

International support also provides optimism for the Island’s future development. In December 2024, the United Kingdom pledged 10 million British pounds to support geothermal energy development in Grenada, aiming to reduce its former colonies’ reliance on expensive imported fossil fuels. Additional United Nations programs like the Building Effective Resilience for Human Security in the Caribbean Countries and the Harnessing Blue Economy Finance for SIDS Recovery and Sustainable Development initiatives work to develop the renewable energy grids of the region and help the impoverished in Grenada.

Tourism

Tourism remains both Grenada’s largest industry and a major contributor to overall emissions, but the sector is beginning to adopt new, climate-friendly policies. A pilot project at the True Blue Bay Resort has demonstrated that replacing conventional air-conditioning units with R290 units, which are both propane-fueled and very efficient, achieved an energy consumption reduction of around 26%. For a nation with a large number of hotels, in which cooling can account for a majority of its energy demand, improvements in cooling efficiency can reduce annual electricity consumption by hundreds of thousands of ECD.

Impacts on Poverty

The transition to renewable energy in Grenada carries large implications for poverty reduction, as about 25% of the population lives below the poverty line, and the unemployment rate stood at 11.1% in 2023.

Currently, high electricity costs burden low-income households, forcing many to spend large portions of their income on energy. Lowering these costs through renewable sources would free up household income for food, education, healthcare and many other expenses. To combat this, Grenada plans to launch its “Solar for All” Program, which will expand access to rooftop solar and accelerate nationwide adoption of solar energy, particularly for vulnerable households. 

Renewable energy also creates local jobs. The country cannot outsource the installation, maintenance and management of renewable energy sources, and will create many jobs for the country’s unemployed. Unlike fossil fuel imports, which send money overseas, investments in renewable energy will keep capital within the local economy.

The expansion of renewable energy in Grenada has the potential to transform the Grenadian economy and open doors for Grenada’s impoverished.

– Luca Napolitano

Luca is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Politics and The Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Solar-Powered Irrigation Supports Farmers in Northern Ghana

Solar-Powered IrrigationSolar-powered irrigation is supporting farmers in northern Ghana, highlighting an innovative solution to agricultural challenges in rural areas. In regions where inconsistent rainfall and limited infrastructure restrict farming, solar-powered irrigation systems are helping smallholder farmers improve crop production and increase income.

Challenges Facing Agriculture in Northern Ghana

In northern Ghana, agriculture is a primary source of income for many households. However, farming is often heavily dependent on seasonal rainfall, making it difficult for farmers to maintain consistent crop yields. Periods of drought or irregular rainfall can significantly reduce production, leading to food insecurity and financial instability. 

Without reliable irrigation, many farmers are limited to a single growing season each year, thereby restricting both productivity and income opportunities. For many farmers, the lack of irrigation also creates financial barriers, as fuel-powered pumps are often too expensive to operate. This forces smallholder farmers to rely on rain-fed agriculture, limiting their ability to farm year-round. 

Solar-Powered Irrigation as a Solution

To address these challenges, solar-powered irrigation systems are being introduced as sustainable, cost-effective solutions in Ghana. These systems use solar panels to power water pumps, allowing farmers to access water without relying on expensive fuel. Evidence from Ghana shows that these systems have “led to greater yields, increased income for farmers and a generally improved food security situation.”

By reducing dependence on diesel pumps, these systems also lower operational costs and provide a more sustainable alternative for smallholder farmers. As a result, they provide a reliable and long-term solution to the challenges facing agriculture in northern Ghana. According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), “the intervention is not only providing them more income, but it is also helping to improve the nutrition of their households because of the increased yields and the ability to produce food crops throughout the year.” 

It emphasizes the contrast between traditional challenges and the benefits of improved irrigation systems.

Increasing Productivity and Income

Access to reliable irrigation has significantly improved agricultural productivity in northern Ghana. In one example, a farmer supported by a UNDP initiative expanded production from one harvest per year to multiple growing cycles, increasing both yields and income. The impact of solar-powered irrigation on farmers in northern Ghana is also reflected in broader academic findings. 

As stated in the study “Economic and Food Security Effects of Small-Scale Irrigation Technologies in Northern Ghana,” “Small-scale irrigation (SSI) technologies can be useful not only to increase crop productivity and income but also as a viable adaptation practice to climate variability.” The same study further explains that adoption of SSI technologies can lead to substantial economic gains. Results show that “adoption of the SSI technologies could increase the net farm profit by 154%–608% against the baseline depending on the ‘crop type – SSI technology’ combination.”

Building Resilient Communities

Beyond individual farms, solar-powered irrigation contributes to broader social resilience. By stabilizing food production, these systems reduce vulnerability to economic shocks and seasonal shortages. They also create employment opportunities and support local economies.

Programs supporting solar irrigation in Ghana often include training and technical assistance to help farmers effectively use and maintain the systems. As these initiatives expand, they have the potential to reach more communities and further reduce poverty.

Conclusion

Solar-powered irrigation offers a practical and sustainable solution to agricultural challenges in northern Ghana. By increasing crop yields, improving food security and reducing costs, these systems play a key role in supporting farmers and strengthening rural economies. Continued investment in solar irrigation technology could further expand its impact and help reduce poverty across vulnerable communities. 

– Grelby Santos

Grelby is based in Boston, MA, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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How Aid Helped To End Poverty in Niue

Poverty in NiueNiue, a small island in the South Pacific, stands as a rare beacon of success in the global fight against extreme poverty. While many developing countries grapple with systemic inequality, this small self-governing territory has effectively eliminated absolute poverty. This achievement reflects the impact of humanitarian aid and local programs that have helped thousands of people. It also shows that geographic isolation does not have to determine economic hardship.

Free Association Agreement With New Zealand

The backbone of Niue’s economic stability lies in its unique Free Association agreement with New Zealand, which provides up to 90% of Niue’s Official Development Finance. This relationship gives the island significant financial aid and administrative support, which the local government channels into essential social infrastructure. Rather than allowing volatile market forces to dictate economic outcomes, Niue uses this funding to provide universal health care, free education and strong social security for the elderly and vulnerable. 

By investing in these programs at the source, the island helps prevent the cycles of debt and health-related crises that often trap families in poverty.

The Niue Renewable Energy Project

New Zealand’s involvement extends beyond critical infrastructure projects that lower living costs and improve self-sufficiency. A key example is the Niue Renewable Energy project, a $20.5 million investment by the New Zealand government scheduled for completion in mid-2026. Featuring a large solar array and battery storage system, the project aims to meet 80% of Niue’s energy needs.

By reducing Niue’s reliance on expensive imported diesel, the investment can lower household utility costs and free government funds for additional social welfare programs. This aid-for-trade and infrastructure model helps create long-term stability rather than short-term relief, demonstrating the effectiveness of international aid. As of 2025, aid remained a dominant force in Niue’s economy, at 70%.

The country continues to rely heavily on grants, particularly from New Zealand, which has constitutional obligations to provide necessary economic and administrative assistance.

Community Support Systems

While New Zealand provides most of the aid, Niue’s strong culture of mutual support serves as a critical safety net. The island’s social framework emphasizes well-being and community prosperity, while its extended family system plays a central protective role. On the ground, Niue functions through a culture of collective responsibility in which family units help ensure that no one lacks food or shelter.

Ultimately, Niue demonstrates that eliminating poverty requires both a top-down approach from a committed partner like New Zealand and the bottom-up resilience of a united community. The island’s success shows that proactive governance and a commitment to mutual support can turn a global crisis into a solvable challenge. Niue stands as a powerful example of what is possible when foreign aid is directed toward people-centered social development. 

It demonstrates that aid can have a positive, productive impact on communities isolated thousands of miles from others.

– Haydn Goodboy

Haydn is based in Massachusetts, USA and focuses on Good News for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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The Emergence of Energy Poverty in Madrid

Poverty in MadridThe capital of Spain, Madrid, is a major metropolitan area with around 6.8 million people. Known for its clean streets, bustling shopping on the Gran Via and vibrant greenery, the city attracts tourists from across the world. However, below its surface are serious problems of poverty, climate change and energy.

As the city experiences more severe weather in summer and winter, families struggle with energy poverty, or the inability to afford basic energy necessities such as heating and cooling. This term does not only mean being unable to afford high energy costs, but also deliberate choices to lower energy usage to save money, known as “hidden energy poverty.”

Energy Poverty in Madrid: An Overview

Poverty itself has moved in concerning directions in the capital. Madrid continues to be a strong economic center, but the government often falls short in providing assistance for those in low-income households. About 1.4 million people live in material deprivation, or a lack of ability to afford basic necessities like food or heating. Though air conditioning is usually viewed as a consumer good, people such as Yamina Saheb, a professor at Sciences Po in Paris, push for it to be considered a human right. Madrid’s case stands in contrast to the rest of Spain, where poverty rates are falling. A rise in general poverty has the natural outcome of increasing energy poverty.

The city’s most impoverished neighborhoods, those with the most energy poverty, did not come to be as they are by chance. Puente de Vallecas, for instance, was for decades a shantytown, a poor, small settlement on the outskirts of Madrid. However, in the 1950s, it was incorporated into the municipality of the capital. Currently, the neighborhood remains one of the poorest, revealing that wealth disparities and energy inequalities arise as a result of complex historical factors.

The Link Between Poverty and Energy

The inability to afford access to energy almost exclusively harms those in poverty. Madrid health professor Julio Diaz Jimenez found in a 2020 paper that heat waves cause mortality in three of the lowest-income districts of the city. In 2024, Save the Children stated that one-third of Spanish children were unable to maintain an adequate temperature at home. These figures serve as warning signs for the region’s future, as struggles with extreme heat will continue to affect those in poverty.

Obstacles to Eliminating Energy Poverty in Madrid

Energy poverty in Madrid is worsened by infrastructure and housing that are unprepared to cope with these climate extremes. Last year, Spain’s energy grid faltered during a time of high energy usage, causing blackouts in regions as far as Portugal and France. Though the blackout is not attributed directly to climate change, it signals that without further updates, Spain and its capital will be unable to support the higher energy usage required to maintain comfortable levels in homes.

Housing also remains in need of renovations. According to Professor Neville Li of Saint Louis University’s Madrid campus, the city’s housing is “designed to trap heat because of the hot summers.” Due to increased weather variability, winters are not only getting warmer but also more extreme. As a result, Madrid often experiences both extremely hot summers and cold winters. With more unpredictable weather, families struggle to maintain an adequate temperature.

Energy Savings

A study by researchers Roberto Barella and Jose Carlos Romero at Comillas Pontifical University in Madrid points to the benefits of shallow home renovations, such as fridge replacement or LED installation. After looking at 10 provinces of Spain, they found that Madrid saved the most from theoretical energy savings, about 8.41%. The study shows how, with only small changes, Madrid households can reduce their energy usage. This would not only save families hundreds of euros per month but also allow them to live in more comfortable conditions.

In addition, the issue of “green gentrification” worsens extreme heat for those who cannot afford cooling. In recent years, the capital has lost tree cover disproportionately in poorer areas. The “urban heat island” effect makes some areas, such as Puente de Vallecas, some of the hottest in the city. Despite being one of the most tree-covered cities in the world, lower-income neighborhoods have borne the brunt of tree loss.

Looking Ahead

According to Li, Spain’s energy is “relatively cheap,” in part due to its significant renewable industry, such as wind and hydroelectric power. This gives the government more room to implement tax cuts that benefit lower-income families. In March 2026, the Spanish government announced cuts, including those tied to energy. These measures protect families as prices across the region spike.

In addition, several groups have emerged to support those suffering from high temperatures and energy insufficiency. Concerned citizens have come together through initiatives such as the Sustainable Vallekas Collective, which raises awareness about unequal temperatures in the neighborhood.

Energy poverty is a serious problem in Madrid, especially as temperatures warm due to the changing climate. However, the government and citizens are taking action to address its consequences. Through home renovations, tree planting, tax cuts and community advocacy, the issue is being addressed step by step.

– Ben Anderson

Ben is based in Madrid, Spain and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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How Hydropower in the DRC is Reducing Poverty

hydropower drcOnly China and Russia possess greater hydroelectric potential than the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), yet 97.5% of hydropower in the DRC is untapped, and this 100,000 MW capacity remains a dormant resource. This staggering lack of development is both the cause and the symptom of a substantial energy poverty gap. As the world looks toward renewable transitions in 2026, the challenge for the DRC lies in finally harnessing the power of its geography to fuel a long-overdue economic transformation.

The Congo River: A Blueprint for Hydropower in the DRC

The Congo River is the engine of the DRC’s immense hydropower capacity and is essential to fighting poverty. Its position across the equator ensures a steady, year-round surge, unaffected by the seasonal droughts that plague other hydropower regions.

Despite this reliable flow, the DRC remains one of the world’s most impoverished nations. While the river could technically power the entire African continent, the vast majority of its energy currently escapes into the Atlantic Ocean, leaving millions of Congolese homes and businesses in the dark. Bridging this gap is no longer just an engineering goal; it is a human rights necessity. By finally tapping into this ‘liquid gold,’ the DRC is beginning to unlock four critical pathways out of poverty.

Powering Rural Entrepreneurship

Reliable electricity is currently helping rebuild the DRC’s local economies by shifting manual labor toward productive use. Through initiatives like the Virunga Alliance, rural villages gaining access to electricity now allow market vendors to refrigerate produce and preserve perishables like fish and meat. This infrastructure is sparking immediate entrepreneurship; electric saws or sewing machines could be serving as catalysts for increased trade in newly electrified zones.

This transition is moving local communities from subsistence living to micro-enterprise, creating a stable cash flow that was previously impossible due to the prohibitive cost of diesel generators.

Boosting Agricultural Value Chains

The Virunga Alliance has “introduced modern farming techniques, provided high-quality seeds, and organised cooperatives to cultivate nearly 80 hectares of wheat, with plans to expand to 500 hectares.” According to the Alliance, “the introduction of mechanised tools such as tractors, harvesters, and threshers has significantly increased efficiency, enabling faster harvesting and the preparation of additional land for cultivation.”

The ability to process crops locally is increasing market value — rather than selling raw, perishable goods at a loss, farmers are now selling shelf-stable, higher-value produce. This shift could directly increase household income and reducing post-harvest waste in regions where hydropower and electricity are available.

How Localized Hydropower is Creating Jobs in North Kivu

While the world waits for project “Grand Inga,” decentralized projects like “Run-of-River” are already transforming the lives of many across the DRC, specifically in North Kivu. The Virunga Alliance is at the heart of this success, using the Congo River’s natural flow to generate electricity as opposed to using traditional dams with massive reservoirs. Not only is this much cheaper, requiring less capital, it is also faster and helps those in poverty now versus in 20 years — with minimal environmental disruption.

The Matebe hydroelectric plant is another great example, providing 13.6 MW of stable energy to the city of Goma and surrounding villages. Every megawatt generated by their plant creates approximately 1,000 local jobs. So far, the plant has connected more than 42,000 households and 2,800 businesses with power, offering young people viable employment alternatives to joining local armed groups.

Ending Poverty Through Hydropower in the DRC

The scale of the DRC’s energy crisis is as vast as the Congo River itself, but the success of decentralized projects is paving the way for further development in the nation. While infrastructural issues remain, the shift to localized run-of-the-river hydropower offers a scalable blueprint to move forward with.

Prioritizing smaller, high-impact investments, the DRC can bypass the decades-long wait for mega-dams and begin lifting millions out of poverty today.

Leveraging the river’s natural flow is no longer a technical challenge; it is a key driver behind providing the Congolese people with the necessary tools to build a more stable, brighter future.

– Rebecca Cameron

Rebecca is based in Edinburgh, Scotland and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Working With Seaturns To Strengthen Mauritius’ Ocean Economy

Mauritius' Ocean EconomyIn March 2026, a two-megawatt (MW) wave energy pilot project was announced and launched in Mauritius, an island nation in East Africa. Developed by the French company Seaturns in partnership with Taylor Smith Group, a privately owned family business in Mauritius, it is designed to be grid-connected to the Central Electricity Board (CEB). This pilot project represents a significant step in the company’s full-scale trials scheduled for 2026 and 2027.

Wave energy is a renewable, high-density power source generated by harnessing the movement of ocean surface waves. In Mauritius, wave energy is vital for assessing renewable energy potential, informing coastal protection against erosion and planning marine infrastructure. This project aligns with the United Nations (U.N.) Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

It contributes to the implementation of the European strategy, as defined in the Strategic Research and Innovation Agenda for Ocean Energy (SRIA) 2024. Seaturns is also supported by the FRANCE 2030 program, run by Business France. This project aims to keep Mauritius on the path to a better future since it gained independence.

Staying Above the Poverty Line

Mauritius has been above the poverty line since the late ’80s. By changing the trajectory it was on after gaining independence in 1968, the country set poverty on a path toward eradication. By 2017, extreme poverty had been virtually eradicated. 

In recent years, poverty has remained relatively stable at around 7%. With Seaturns being developed with support from the local company Taylor Smith Group, the project aims to create local job opportunities within the maritime sector.

Seaturns’ Goals

The Seaturns technology features a floating, cylindrical buoy that harnesses wave motion for power generation. Choosing Mauritius was a strategic choice for Seaturns. Mauritius is an island country in the Indian Ocean, east of Madagascar and has high-potential, consistent wave energy resources and a commitment to change. 

The project is part of the Mauritius Renewable Energy Agency (MARENA) initiative. The initiative supports Mauritius’s energy transition, aims to expand to 10 MW in the future and seeks to establish Mauritius as a regional hub for wave energy technology in the Indian Ocean. In 2025, Mauritius emitted 6.96 megatonnes of CO₂e.

Mauritius relies heavily on fossil fuels, mainly oil and oil products. In 2023 alone, the total energy supply in Mauritius accounted for nearly 62%. With Seaturns providing a clean energy solution, the project helps decrease the island nation’s dependence on imported fossil fuels and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from electricity generation. With a goal of reducing GHG emissions by 40% by 2030, Seaturns is a stepping stone for other countries to follow Mauritius’ footsteps. 

Countries have the opportunity to learn from this pilot project in Mauritius and become active in lowering their GHG emissions while advancing the blue economy.

The Blue Economy

The blue economy is the sustainable use of ocean, sea and coastal resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods and jobs while preserving the health of marine ecosystems. Mauritius joined this economy in 2013 to become a large ocean state and updated that goal in 2023. Being surrounded by water, Mauritius has a high economic dependence on the ocean relative to its landmass, which has driven its interest in ocean energy.

This economy is vital for poverty reduction in Mauritius, aiming to diversify beyond tourism and sugar by leveraging its large Exclusive Economic Zone. The Mauritian ocean economy contributed 10% to 12% of GDP in 2026. Given that the ocean economy is relatively new, Mauritius is seizing the opportunity to expand in a positive direction.

With the ocean economy growing 2.5 times since 1995, outpacing other global sectors, wave energy is yet another stepping stone toward combating climate instability. Wave energy provides a consistent, renewable and emission-free source of electricity.

Final Remarks

Ocean energy is a relatively new, untapped renewable energy source. It has the potential to cut GHG emissions by up to 3.60 gigatonnes per year in 2050. As countries implement more stringent measures to limit GHG emissions, using renewable resources is a key element toward a better future. 

– Elizabeth Fryer

Elizabeth is based in Philadelphia, PA, USA and focuses on Good News, Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia

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Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain in Chad and Sudan

vaccine cold chain in ChadAfrica lacks the capacity to manufacture its own vaccines. As a result, combined with other factors such as limited health care infrastructure, vaccination rates across the continent remain lower than in many other parts of the world. Since building high-functioning manufacturing facilities would be both difficult and costly, organizations such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF are seeking practical, feasible ways to expand vaccine access in Africa.

Why Vaccine Delivery Remains a Challenge

Although many vaccines are available today, low vaccination rates in Chad and Sudan mean that only a few can be prioritized immediately. In 2024, Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance, launched pneumococcal, rotavirus and malaria vaccines in Chad. This approach centers on reducing vaccine-preventable deaths, making these vaccines the most immediately impactful.

Vaccines are not widely manufactured in Africa and are often transported from overseas. Most also need to be stored at specific temperatures to remain effective. Adding to the challenge, each vaccine requires its own storage conditions. For this reason, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention provides a detailed toolkit on vaccine storage and handling.

The cold chain is the critical system that allows vaccines to reach their destination safely and remain usable. If required temperatures are not maintained throughout the process, vaccines can lose potency and health workers must discard them. This means that everyone involved in the cold chain process, from transport personnel to staff managing refrigeration at medical facilities, requires specialized training. 

It also demands strong infrastructure and tightly coordinated logistics to ensure there are no gaps in storage or delivery. Because cold chain delivery and storage require such close oversight, the UNICEF Supply Division treats them as a major operational priority.

The Status Quo

While the vaccine cold chain requires particular attention, refrigeration is also essential for many other perishable supplies that must be transported to especially hot climates, such as Chad and Sudan. According to the WHO’s Communications Officer for News and Media, the organization published an evidence brief for this reason. Titled “Solar direct-drive vaccine refrigerators and freezers,” the brief explains how solar power can play a particularly important role in vaccine storage. 

Because electricity is unreliable in many parts of Chad and Sudan, clinics and transporters often rely on kerosene and gasoline to power cold chain storage and refrigeration. Unfortunately, these fuel-powered systems are both costly and difficult to maintain. Rising prices and supply chain disruptions can also make kerosene and gasoline hard to keep in stock. 

In addition, because these fuels are used with absorption refrigeration systems rather than the more reliable electric refrigerators, reliability remains a major concern.

Where Do Solar Panels Come In?

As demand for reliable energy grows, researchers are exploring alternatives to fossil fuels. Beyond climate concerns, fossil fuels are finite and increasingly expensive. While no energy source currently known to scientists is without cost, many groups have spent years searching for sustainable options with the lowest possible operating costs.

While energy needs vary across regions, Northern Africa’s arid climate and abundant sunshine make solar power a strong candidate for a major energy source. Globally, CleanEnergy predicts that solar power will become a leading source of energy generation by 2050. WHO and UNICEF, alongside partners such as the World Bank, are actively scaling up solar energy to stabilize critical health, water and education services in Chad and Sudan.

Barriers To Creating a Solar-Powered Vaccine Cold Chain

Transitioning to new energy sources does not come without cost. Although sunshine is abundant in Northern Africa, installing solar panels would require a major investment. While exact figures are unclear, providing solar-powered refrigeration and cold chain storage for vaccines in Chad and Sudan would likely require large organizations such as the WHO and UNICEF to purchase and install a significant number of solar panels.

There would also be initial challenges in integrating solar energy into existing power systems. Although this would likely be a short-term issue, failures during the transition could lead to the loss of vaccines and other perishable supplies. In addition, while Chad and Sudan are still developing their solar regulatory frameworks, government policy remains an important consideration when implementing large-scale energy or grid infrastructure projects.

Looking to the Future

While 2050 is more than two decades away, solar energy use is rapidly expanding worldwide and creating a solar-powered vaccine cold chain in Chad and Sudan will soon be a reality. Given the evidence highlighting refrigeration’s critical role in vaccine distribution, solar power is likely to be prioritized and expanded in the region sooner rather than later.

– Nicole Miller

Nicole is based in Pittsburgh, PA, USA and focuses on Global Health and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Antigua and Barbuda

Renewable Energy in Antigua and BarbudaEnergy and climate crises are pushing insular countries, such as Antigua and Barbuda, to the frontlines. Rising fuel costs, combined with hurricanes and a tourism-dependent economy are exposing how fragile a state’s fossil-fueled energy system can become. For years, imported fossil fuels generated electricity entirely, leaving communities vulnerable to fluctuations of the global oil markets.

Now, a different future is being sketched across these islands. It is common for government plans and regional forums to center on renewable energies projects. Rather than being treated as a distant ideal, green energy is increasingly being framed as a matter of survival — economically, environmentally and socially. 

Antigua and Barbuda, as many small island developing states, is seeing the transition away from fossil fuels as the pathway to keeping the coasts protected and the economy afloat. Here is more information about the promotion of renewable energy in Antigua and Barbuda.

Antigua and Barbuda

Nestled in the eastern Caribbean’s Leeward chain, Antigua and Barbuda is a twin-islands nation that squeezes a population of nearly 95,000 onto 440 square kilometers of low coral atolls and limestone ridges — Antigua’s volcanic hills peak at just 405 meters, while Barbuda’s pancake-flat expanse is waterless and boasts pink sands.

When it comes to demography, a peculiar distribution characterizes Antigua and Barbuda: nearly all residents — 98% — crowd onto Antigua, with 60% living in St. John Parish and another 26% crammed into the capital and port city of St. John’s.

Having been a check point for the slave trade routes in the 17th century, most islanders (87% of the total) are of African descent navigate a youthful, female-skewed demographic with life expectancy hovering near 79 years.

Green Energy Targets

Antigua and Barbuda is aiming at one of the most ambitious targets in renewable energy among Small Island Developing States (SIDS), targeting 86% of electricity from local renewables by 2030 and 100% for water management essentials like desalination. This vaults it into the ninth spot among the best SIDS for expected MW capacity by 2030 — eyeing 483 MW — despite a population of less than 100,000, far outpacing per capita efforts by giants like Fiji or Cuba, home to millions of inhabitants. This green energy strategy crosses three main sectors: geothermal, wind and solar power, not all equally viable and the current share of renewable energy is only at 7%.

Although a country of very small size, geothermal power could leverage the nation’s perch on the Caribbean Plate. A 2018 pact with Polaris Energy scouts baseload potential on the territory and the government has recently expressed the intention of entering the geothermal market of St. Kitts and Nevis, a neighbor small island country, to strengthen regional energy cooperation.

At an initial look wind may seem like a source perfectly suiting an oceanic nation. However, this power proved to be a double-edged sword: trade winds whip reliably, but 2017’s Hurricane Irma — obliterating 95% of Barbuda — canceled the efforts of erecting resilient turbines, stalling ambitious sites.

It is solar power that steals the spotlight as the most reliable source of green energy, dominating almost 100% of current renewables. Bathing in year-round Caribbean sun, Antigua and Barbuda benefits from more than 4,300 hours of sunlight, making it the perfect spot for accumulating solar energy. A key feature of the sector is the shift from rooftop systems to off-grid systems. Projects like the hurricane‑resistant solar and battery plant on Barbuda are designed not just to generate clean power, but to keep the lights on after storms and also attract foreign capitals.

Changing Weather Patterns

Poverty remains a persistent challenge in Antigua and Barbuda, worsening under the strain of changing weather patterns. Those already on the margins face increasing threats from extreme weather, disrupted livelihoods and limited access to essential services such as health, transport and communications. The combined effects of hurricanes and the lingering fallout from COVID‑19 continue to erode social and economic stability.

Women are disproportionately affected, forming the majority in tourism and public sectors while shouldering household leadership. A UN Women and IISD survey urged retraining of public employees and stronger integration of gender concerns into climate policies. Many women rely on microfinance after disasters, while health risks — from waterborne diseases to mental stress — intensify vulnerabilities.

Expanding renewable energy in Antigua and Barbuda is vital to reversing these trends. Clean energy projects can lower costs, create stable jobs and strengthen climate resilience, ensuring that development benefits vulnerable groups more equitably. For instance, the International Renewable Energy Agency estimated that in a scenario where Antigua and Barbuda make it to 100% renewable energy, including the use of hydrogen and the proliferation of electric vehicles as variables, the cost of energy would decrease from USD 0.15 kWh to USD 0.09.

Why Are SIDS Obsessed With the Green Transition?

SIDS like Antigua and Barbuda, Mauritius, Nauru and others champion the green transition despite contributing a minuscule slice of global GHG emissions — less than 1% collectively, for 39 countries falling into this category.

Changing weather patterns hit them first before any other country in the world: sea-level rise erodes shorelines, hurricanes wreck homes and economies, coral die-offs cripple tourism and fish stocks.

Climate-resilient infrastructure and innovation are advancing at the national level among all SIDS. For instance, the Maldives and Tuvalu are experimenting with adaptive urban designs such as floating cities and artificial islands, adapting to rising sea levels. Collectively, SIDS are speaking out through the Alliance of Small Island States, urging stricter emissions targets and fair financial mechanisms for climate impact mitigation at the international level.

– Riccardo Chiaraluce

Riccardo is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr