Archive for category: Electricity and Power

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5 Facts About Renewable Energy in Guinea-Bissau

Renewable Energy in Guinea-BissauLocated in West Africa, with about 2 million residents, the country of Guinea-Bissau has struggled with both economic and political instabilities for decades. However, with its coastal location, fishing has become an integrated part of the country’s economy. However, Guinea-Bissau has the power to improve both its economy and country with renewable energy. Here is information about energy poverty and renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau.

Energy Poverty in Guinea-Bissau

Energy poverty in Guinea-Bissau is very high. In fact, half of the country, more than a million people, are still unable to access electricity. As of 2023, only 0.8% of the country had access to clean fuels that are able to be used for cooking. While one may associate clean fuels with a more efficient way of cooking, there are other benefits of cooking with clean fuels as opposed to cooking with non-clean fuels, such as a lower risk of dying from indoor air pollution. Non-clean fuel sources, such as charcoal, crop waste or even dung, leave people at risk of death and ill-health, as opposed to those who use clean cooking fuels. While one may think of renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau as something that will help out our planet, citizens of Guinea-Bissau think of it as a life-altering and potentially life-saving change to their everyday lives.

Facts About Renewable Energy in Guinea-Bissau

  1. Implementing Renewable Energy is a Challenge: Guinea-Bissau’s electric sub-sector is one of the least efficient in West Africa. This is due to several factors, including, but not limited to, waste, supply and demand issues, financial issues and low investments. This means that renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau may be harder to implement.
  2. Low Electricity Availability: The availability of electricity in the West African country is low; however, the addition of renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau would change this. In fact, as late as 2022, more than one million people across the nation still do not have access to electricity. On the other hand, more than a million people across the country do have access to power. Out of the country’s entire population, rural areas were the smallest group to have that access, typically staying at the same low levels from 2015 to 2022. With the implementation of renewable energy in the country, more communities would have access to electricity, which could benefit their businesses, home lives and education.
  3. A Delayed Power Plant: The development of renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau experienced a delay due to an unfinished power plant. A 15MV power plant was supposed to reach completion in November 2018 as a replacement for another power plant; however, the power plant did not begin operating in 2019.
  4. Increasing Renewable Energy: Despite the electricity issues Guinea-Bissau faces, its electricity supply, particularly that which is renewable, has increased. In fact, in 2021, electricity that was generated from renewable sources was at its highest, at 18.3 (GWh).
  5. Possibility of Increased Renewable Energy: Even with the lack of resources, renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau is possible. Currently, the country has a huge potential to commit to using renewable energy more than ever. Since 2018, the country has had more electricity than before, growing from 28.3 MW to 29.1 MW in about three years. Furthermore, more advancements are to come to the country’s renewable energy use in the near future.

Investments in Renewable Energy in Guinea-Bissau

The European Commission has collaborated with Guinea-Bissau in an attempt to help better the country and its citizens. Aside from strengthening education and climate-resilient practices when it comes to agriculture and fishing, Team Europe is investing in clean and renewable energy with solar plants in rural areas of the country. In addition to this, the two are working to promote sustainable and climate-resilient practices, which include the use of renewable energy and agricultural techniques to protect the environment.

As of March 2015, the European Union pledged 160 million euros (which is just less than $2 million in the United States) in order to help strengthen the rule of law within the country and consolidate democracy. While this was over a decade ago, it shows good signs as to what is to come to Guinea-Bissau, thanks to the EU. In fact, the article states that this is the resumption of support towards the country from the union, rather than the start. In a more recent development, in 2020, during the Universal Periodic Review by the United Nations Human Rights Council, Guinea-Bissau received 197 recommendations; the country taking 193 into account, most of which involved the issue of sustainable development.

The types of renewable energy Guinea-Bissau is hoping to implement in the country’s future has been recorded as recently as 2021, specifically from the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). IRENA’s 2021 energy profile release of the West African country found that out of the total energy supply available in the country, 85% of it was renewable, compared to the other 15%, which was oil. Furthermore, a closer look into Guinea-Bissau’s renewable energy use found that 100% of the renewable energy used in 2021 came from bioenergy. As of 2023, the renewable energy capacity of the country was 100% solar instead of bioenergy. This may be due to the increase of solar power installations across the country.

Looking Ahead

While Guinea-Bissau is a low-energy country, more than a million citizens are still unable to access electricity; renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau would do wonders for the country. Between boosting the country’s economy to improving countless families’ lives, renewable energy would create access to a feature that half of the country has not had exposure to. While progress might seem far away, due to the issues involving the West African country’s resources, the European Union is working to make the seemingly impossible, not only possible, but possible in the near future. Right before the pandemic, the EU had implemented suggestions to the country to help it improve its sustainable development, and Guinea-Bissau took nearly all of them into account. While the future is always uncertain, the use of renewable energy in Guinea-Bissau is looking up.

– Megan Akers

Megan is based in Fredericktown, OH, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Benin

Renewable Energy in BeninBenin, a small West African country, is making significant strides towards a sustainable, energy-secure future. With only 57% of its population currently having access to electricity, Benin ranks low in energy consumption among African nations. The country is at a critical point in its energy development and transition; strategies implemented now will determine whether the country can progress sustainably and guarantee nearly half of its citizens a way out of energy poverty. Fortunately, Benin has demonstrated considerable progress and commitment to utilizing renewable energy resources, particularly through solar power.

A National Investment in Solar Power

Renewable energy in Benin is rapidly expanding with the government aiming to increase its share of renewables in the energy mix to 31% by 2030 and achieve 100% energy independence by 2050. Currently, much of the population’s energy is imported from neighboring nations such as Ghana and Nigeria in the form of fossil fuels. As these imports become more of a cost burden, the government is investing in locally generated energy sources. Benin’s recently enacted National Renewable Energy Development Policy (PONADER) supports various projects and strategies aimed at increasing energy security through renewable resources and reducing dependence on fossil fuels. This includes new investments in the private solar energy sector with Axian Energy and Sika Capital currently developing four large-scale solar power plants. These plants will fuel Benin’s centralized power grid; as a result, project developers expect 50,000 urban households to gain access to decarbonized power.

Electrifying Rural Areas

Rural populations often face numerous challenges that keep them in a cycle of impoverishment. However, energy security addresses many of these issues. Initiatives to increase energy access help communities build capacity by powering schools, health facilities, homes and businesses. In turn, this positively impacts educational, health and economic outcomes, all important determinants of poverty.

Bringing decentralized energy to Benin’s underserved rural areas, where only 17.4% of the population has access to electricity, has become a main focus in local government policy. Grid extensions and importing energy sources remain expensive, making local energy production more economically viable. Renewable energy in Benin expands further on the potential of solar power with the government establishing the Africa Minigrids Program. Implemented in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the Global Environment Facility, this program aims to bring clean energy to communities not connected to the central power grid using solar mini-grids. Such a program will help reduce existing energy inequalities in Benin, with current large disparities between urban and rural populations.

This program reinforces the work that private solar energy providers are already doing in rural Benin. The company ENGIE Energy Access, in partnership with the Beninese government, implemented Benin’s first solar mini-grid in 2024 and is in the process of building several more across the country. This project is anticipated to bring electricity to 30,000 people living in rural areas. ENGIE is also one of the main providers of in-home solar systems in West Africa, providing households with affordable and reliable access to electricity. Without this resource, people are currently depending on biomass to power their homes, a technique that is inefficient and produces pollutants.

Job Creation

Job creation and reducing underemployment will play a large role in poverty reduction in Benin. The World Bank found that in 2022, 72% of Benin’s workforce struggled with underemployment, while 90.1% worked jobs in the informal economy. Those who work in the informal sector or have inconsistent employment often see lower wages at irregular intervals, making job security difficult to achieve. These factors contribute to monetary poverty and a lack of access to basic necessities, highlighting a need for increased job opportunities. 

Energy access is highly associated with economic growth and prosperity, empowering individuals to start businesses, diversify incomes and increase productivity. While electricity access enables individuals to engage in new income-generating activities, they will also be able to build upon existing ones. In developing countries like Benin, many rely on subsistence agriculture as a main source of income and to meet personal needs. With improved energy security, Benin’s farmers and the agricultural sector will benefit from more efficient farming practices.

Solar Electric Light Fund

Many communities are already seeing these benefits, with the nonprofit Solar Electric Light Fund establishing solar gardens across 10 villages in rural Benin. These gardens use solar power to operate water pumps and drip irrigation, making food production possible even during the long dry seasons. With a reliable harvest, these farmers generate consistent incomes and increase food security, contributing to their well-being and that of their families and communities.

An Increase in Green Jobs

There is also a rapidly growing demand for green jobs in Benin, as well as for the rest of Africa. These demands are beginning to be met in Benin through newly emerging programs that provide training and mentorship in renewable energy fields. Operating under the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) and financed by the World Bank, the Regional Off-Grid Electricity Access Project (ROGEAP) is facilitating the growth of small-scale solar energy businesses and entrepreneurs in West Africa. Participants receive training in solar PV installation, maintenance and technology development, equipping them with the technical skills necessary to join the formal solar energy workforce. They are also trained in financial management and business strategies, helping them create startups and contribute to ongoing solar projects. ROGEAP also focuses on supporting youth and women-led enterprises, addressing gender inequality in the region.

A Future To Look Forward to in Benin

Renewable energy in Benin offers hope for its populations still living in energy poverty. Indeed, through the implementation of programs designed to increase energy security and strategic partnerships between the Beninese government and private solar power providers, the future for Benin’s energy sector looks bright. Building upon the capabilities of solar power will aid in the country’s prospective transition to energy independence and reduction of fossil fuel use. 

– Quinlan Bohannon

Quinlan is based in Portland, OR, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Renewable Energy in Azerbaijan

Renewable Energy in AzerbaijanAzerbaijan, home to more than 10 million people, is a landlocked country located between Russia and Iran in Southeast Asia. In the past decade, the Azerbaijan government has implemented significant initiatives to increase their renewable energy resources with plans to have up to 38% of its electricity come from renewable sources by 2030. Renewable energy has become one of the nation’s top priorities in recent years, as President Ilham Aliyev issued a 2019 decree to reform and modernize the national energy sector. According to Aliyev, renewable energy in Azerbaijan has the potential to stimulate economies both nationally and around the world.

The poverty rate in Azerbaijan has considerably declined in the past 20 years, dropping from 68.1% in 1995 to only 5.5% in 2023; however, with almost half the population living in rural areas, many residents continue to experience unreliable access to affordable energy. Some rural residents have access to electricity for only five to six hours a day, and poor insulation in outdated buildings further limits their ability to retain energy. Expanding renewable energy in Azerbaijan could close this gap by making power more accessible, while also improving public health and creating jobs.

Azerbaijan’s Renewable Energy Transition

According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), oil and natural gas control Azerbaijan’s energy supply, which together account for more than 90% of electricity generation. Renewable energy in Azerbaijan contributes about 6% of total electricity generation, but that share is set to rise as the government invests heavily in renewables such as solar, wind, hydropower and bioenergy.

The Ministry of Energy estimates Azerbaijan’s technical renewable potential at more than 135 gigawatts (GW) onshore and 157 GW offshore, with 27 GW considered economically feasible. This includes 3,000 MW of wind, 23,000 MW of solar, 380 MW of bioenergy and 520 MW from small rivers. Azerbaijan currently operates 65 hydroelectric plants, five wind farms, nine solar plants and several hybrid projects that produce around 1,829 MW, which is more than 19% of the country’s total power capacity.

These investments align with Azerbaijan’s commitment to host COP29, the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference, underscoring the country’s growing role in advancing world sustainability.

How Renewable Energy in Azerbaijan Can Reduce Poverty

  1. Lower Costs and Greater Access: Renewable energy systems such as solar and wind operate more efficiently and cost less than fossil-fuel plants. Expanding renewables could lower electricity costs for households and businesses, particularly in rural communities that currently rely on costly or unreliable sources. Microhydropower systems also deliver power to isolated regions, allowing residents to easily access lighting, refrigeration and internet. These are key factors in stimulating education and economic growth.
  2. Better Health and Living Conditions: Burning fossil fuels releases major air pollutants that contribute to chronic respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. More than 880,000 Azerbaijanis live within five kilometers of gas flaring sites, heightening their risk of developing these chronic and often lethal conditions. Cleaner energy reduces these health risks and lowers medical expenses for low-income families. The new Garadagh Solar Power Plant will save 110 million cubic meters of natural gas and cut 200,000 tons of carbon emissions annually. These projects will benefit not only the planet but also improve the quality of life for Azerbaijani residents.
  3. Job Creation and Economic Growth: The shift to renewable energy has generated substantial job growth across Azerbaijan. Building and maintaining solar farms, wind turbines and grid systems creates thousands of jobs. The Shafag (Jabrayil) Solar Power Project is projected to generate more than 400 new jobs by the end of 2027. Moreover, many of these opportunities are located outside urban centers, such as the Khizi-Absheron 240 MW Wind Farm, helping to reduce rural poverty.
  4. Energy Security and Climate Resilience: Dependence on oil and gas exposes economies to price fluctuations and resource depletion. Renewable energy provides stability and self-sufficiency. By saving natural gas used in power generation, Azerbaijan can increase exports, leading to increased revenue for poverty reduction and infrastructure development. It also strengthens the country’s resilience to changing weather patterns, which also disproportionately affects poor and rural communities.

Challenges and the Road Ahead

While Azerbaijan’s renewable energy growth is promising, challenges remain. The country’s energy infrastructure continues to depend primarily on fossil fuels, and scaling up renewables requires additional investment in transmission lines and modernized regulations. The Ministry of Energy notes that although the technical potential exceeds 135 GW, only a fraction is economically feasible today due to costs, outdated technology and limited participation from the energy private-sector. 

Still, the government’s Law on the Use of Renewable Energy Sources in Electricity Production and the development of public-private partnerships represent crucial steps toward a more sustainable and inclusive future. If Azerbaijan continues its commitment to renewable energy expansion, it will foster not only a greener economy but also a more equitable one.

– Emily Salter

Emily is based in Birmingham, AL, USA and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Pexels

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The Problem with Oil: Renewable Energy in Guyana

Renewable Energy in GuyanaGuyana currently has one of the fastest-growing economies due to its vast offshore oil reserves. Despite this, Guyana remains one of the most impoverished countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region. In 2023, 58% of Guyanese lived in poverty, earning less than $6.85 a day, and 32% lived in extreme poverty, earning under $3.65 a day.

This disparity worsened after the government signed production and revenue-sharing agreements in 2016 with major oil companies. These deals grant Guyana just 12.5% of oil revenues, a small portion of which reaches the average Guyanese. At the same time, energy remains expensive, unreliable, and inaccessible for many, exacerbating energy poverty nationwide.

For Guyana and other developing nations, renewable energy offers a path towards sustainable, affordable, and reliable power. It holds the potential to lift communities out of poverty and build a more secure future. While renewable energy in Guyana shows significant promise, the country must overcome several key challenges to unlock its full potential.

The Current State of Energy

Oil production in Guyana exploded after ExxonMobil’s 2015 discovery of offshore oil reserves in the Stabroek Block. By 2024, daily output reached 630,000 barrels, with projections to double by 2027. This will make Guyana one of the world’s top per capita oil producers. Additionally, petroleum supplies over 99% of the country’s energy generation and consumption.

Guayana generates its power primarily through aging diesel systems and delivers it through a deteriorating grid, which causes severe inefficiencies and frequent outages. This makes energy both expensive and unreliable, and leaves many Guyanese in a constant state of energy poverty and exacerbating financial strains.

Electricity in Guyana costs around $0.32 per kilowatt-hour, which is among the highest in the region and the country loses 26% of all power due to grid inefficiencies. Those who can afford power experience frequent power outages.

Oil companies have secured significant control over the energy sector, including monopoly rights on power generation and the grid, through legal frameworks designed to protect their interests. While oil brings GDP growth, due to these agreements, Guyanese citizens themselves see little of the money.

Why Renewable Energy in Guyana Matters

Renewables offer Guyana a way to produce inexpensive, reliable, and sustainable energy that will reduce energy and financial strain for many Guyanese citizens. Recognizing this, the Guyana government created a Low Carbon Development Strategy (LCDS) which focuses on fostering low-emission economic growth by 2030. The LCDS emphasizes energy access for underserved populations, environmental protection, and international collaboration.

Despite strong potential, renewable energy development in Guyana remains slow and uneven.

Hydropower

Guyana has an estimated 7,600 megawatts of hydropower potential, but currently has no large-scale hydro plants. The country ultimately abandoned the Amaila Falls Hydropower Project, proposed in 2014 to generate more than 1,000 gigawatt-hours annually.

More recently, smaller projects have found success. In 2024, the country built the 1.5 MW Kumu Hydropower Station, and in 2025, it built the 0.7 MW Moco Moco Plant. These projects provide clean, reliable energy to several hinterland communities.

Solar Power

Solar energy has seen the most progress in Guyana, particularly in rural and off-grid areas. In 2023, the Guyana Energy Agency distributed 26,398 solar units to remote communities, according to EIA. The Home Energy Systems Project plans to add 30,000 more units, totaling 4.8 megawatts of capacity.

Two 45-kilowatt mini-grids with battery storage were installed in Orealla and Siparuta. The GUYSOL program launched a 1.5 megawatt solar plant in Bartica in 2023, which aims for 19% renewable energy in the national grid.

In March 2024, Guyana signed a $38 million deal with SUMEC to build solar farms in three regions, adding 10 megawatts. By 2025, new solar farms in Guyana are expected to produce over 39 megawatts of solar energy.

Wind and Biomass

Wind power in Guyana remains largely underdeveloped. The country never completed a 10 megawatt wind farm proposed for Hope Beach in 2007. More recently, the government proposed a 450-kilowatt wind turbine for Leguan Island, designed to complement an existing solar farm.

Guyana’s agricultural sector produces large volumes of rice husks and sugarcane waste, which offer ideal biomass fuel sources. However, biomass energy remains underutilized.

The Skeldon Biomass Power Plant in East Berbice-Corentyne is currently the only operational biomass facility. It generates 30 megawatts of power from sugarcane residue and supplies energy to surrounding communities.

Challenges to Renewable Energy

Despite significant potential, renewable energy development in Guyana faces several obstacles such as energy laws, high upfront costs and unequal access. Building renewable infrastructure requires a significant initial investment. Remote and Indigenous communities benefit least from oil revenue and struggle to finance energy projects, making them particularly dependent on public or international aid.

Strategic investment, donor support, and regulatory change could help Guyana shift toward a more equitable and sustainable energy future.

– Dylan Kretchmar

Dylan is based in Granville, OH, USA and focuses on Technology and Solutions for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Improving Moldova’s Energy Infrastructure

Moldova's energyMoldova has been attempting to cultivate new means of energy diversification for years. Now they are finally beginning to make significant progress in renewing Moldova’s energy infrastructure.

History

In October of 2022, Russia’s state-owned gas corporation, Gazprom, began reducing exports of gas to Moldova by 30%, claiming that it was a consequence of Ukraine refusing to allow large volumes of gas to go through the Sochranivka station, according to the OSW Centre for Eastern Studies.

Then, in December 2022, Moldova’s Deputy Prime Minister Andrei Spinu said that the state-owned firm Moldovagaz would purchase 100 million cubic meters of gas from another state-owned enterprise: Energocom. This decision aimed to reduce dependence on Russia, according to CNBC. In conjunction, Moldova also ceased all imports of Russian gas that same month. Although in March 2023, Moldova had changed their tune, deciding to resume business with Gazprom, according to Reuters.

Russian Gas and Transnistria

According to Reuters, in October 2023, Moldova’s Energy Minister Victor Parlicov stated that much of Moldova would no longer purchase gas from the Russian energy giant.

Transnistria, a Russian-backed separatist region within Moldova, continued to receive gas through all of this by way of a piped route through Ukraine. Russia had been sending this gas virtually free of charge. It was only on January 1, 2025, that these imports came to a halt after Ukraine abstained from renewing the deal with Russia, which had made this supply plausible, according to CNN.

While Moldova had refused to purchase Russian gas, it purchased much of its electricity from Transnistria because it houses the Cuciurgan Power Station, the largest of its kind in Moldova. According to the International Monetary Fund (IMF), Moldova relies on Transnistria for around 70-80% of its electricity.

Energy Projects

Moldova’s Ministry of Energy said that in 2024, the country generated 16.7% of electricity through renewable resources.

In the last 10 months, considerable progress has been made in updating Moldova’s energy infrastructure. Renewable mediums of energy are on the rise, and diversification strategies have been fostered; deals have been made, funding has been secured.

In January, when the Trump administration decided to freeze funding for USAID programs, Moldova lost approximately $300 million, which included energy projects, according to Deutsche Welle.

But, in September, the United States approved funding for the Strășeni-Gutinaș transmission line; one of several projects which was supposed to be funded with the aforementioned USAID disbursements. According to the U.S. Embassy in Moldova, it is a “$130 million initiative that will provide opportunities for U.S. businesses, strengthen Moldova’s electric grid, and enhance Moldova’s energy security. When complete, the project will increase Moldova’s energy independence by ensuring a reliable electricity supply from European markets.”

In February 2025, the European Parliament said that it had approved a Reform and Growth facility for Moldova, totaling over $2.1 billion. The facility consists of more than $600 million from grants (more than  $445 million of which is non-repayable support), as well as over $1.7 billion in concessional loans.

The EU will distribute funds over the course of two years. In 2025 alone, nearly $290 million will be allocated to help ensure energy security; additionally, almost $70 million will go towards similar efforts in Transnistria, according to the European Commission.

Furthermore, in July 2025, the European Investment Bank said it had granted Moldova a loan of more than $165 million to improve district heating in Chisinau.

The Future

On September 1, 2025, Moldova replaced Moldovagaz as the official gas supplier, instead opting to go with Energocom for a period of three years, according to Cotidianul. For context, Gazprom controls 50% of Modovagaz, according to Reuters.

Moreover, according to Moldova’s Ministry of Energy, a new thermal power plant in Chisinau will supply an electrical capacity of 250 MW, thermal capacity of 180 MW and a thermal energy storage facility with a capacity of 1,200 MWh; construction could be complete by 2030 with funding from the World Bank.

According to Moldova’s Ministry of Energy, in August 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the auction results for a series of wind and solar farms, which would produce 105 MW and 60 MW, respectively. And as of September 2025, solar grids are online, according to PV Magazine.

Moldova may have taken years to distance itself from Russian energy influence, but it is finally paying off, and the country is strengthening its ties with other European nations. Only time will tell if their pursuit to renew Moldova’s energy infrastructure can remain manageable in the next decade.

– Owen Armentrout

Owen is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Business Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Power for the People: Iraq’s Energy Infrastructure Issues

Power for the People: An Analysis of Iraq’s Energy Infrastructure Issues Iraq has struggled to maintain a sufficient power grid for decades. The Gulf War damaged Iraqi infrastructure and wiped out 75% of the electricity supply, according to ScienceDirect. Production faltered again after the ousting of Saddam Hussein during the U.S.-led invasion of 2003. Prior to the war, Iraq’s energy production and infrastructure faced strain from sanctions and ongoing conflict but still nearly met demand. At the time, demand ranged between 3,000 and 6,500 megawatts, while production averaged about 4,400 megawatts, according to The Washington Post. 

Rising Consumption and Dependence on Imports

Over the course of the summer, as temperatures swelled to a scorching 122 degrees Fahrenheit, Iraq’s electricity consumption peaked at about 55,000 megawatts, with the Deputy Minister of Electricity Adel Karim stating that the country is currently only generating up to 28,000 megawatts; 8,000 of which come from the natural gas imported from Iran, according to Al Jazeera. In August 2025, Iraq suffered a nationwide power outage for about a day, with subsequently shorter blackouts taking place almost daily, according to CNBC. 

While Iraq is currently the second largest producer of oil in OPEC and houses the fifth largest oil reserves globally, the nation still relies on imports of gas from Iran. Overall, these imports maintain between one-third to 40% of Iraq’s gas and power supply. 

Declining Supply and Infrastructure Challenges

Back in March of 2024, Reuters reported the two nations had signed a five-year deal which would supply Iraq with up to 50 million cubic meters of gas per day. However, exports never reached this ceiling, instead lingering around an average of 25 million cubic meters—the same rate dispersed prior to the deal, which by late November of 2024, had decreased to 7 million cubic meters. 

Iran had diverted the gas for domestic use, coming to this conclusion on the basis of diminished reserves, which had led to widespread blackouts, compounded by a higher demand for heating. Continuing this spiral, earlier in 2025, Iranian gas exports to Iraq dipped by nearly 40%. While Iraq does harbor massive gas reserves of its own, much of it is lost in oil production due to gas flares.

Furthermore, due to deteriorated infrastructure and energy theft, more than 40% of electricity generated by Iraq’s power plants is lost during transmission. This is on top of the fact that these facilities only have the ability to operate at 60% capacity due to overheating, water shortages and inadequate fuel mixes. 

Political Pressures and Blocked Alternatives

The United States (U.S.) announced that it would terminate a waiver on sanctions that had previously allowed Iraq to purchase Iranian electricity, effectively jeopardizing around 3% of Iraq’s power supply. The U.S. made this decision to increase pressure on Tehran amid ongoing nuclear negotiations, according to Al Jazeera.

On September 19th, the U.S. shot down a proposed trade deal between Iraq and Turkmenistan. The agreement would have allowed Iraq to diversify its gas supply by importing 5 billion cubic meters of gas from Turkmenistan; however, the fuel would have to be routed through Iran and the process facilitated by the state-owned National Iranian Gas Company. Through this deal, Iran would have been granted 23% of the daily volume passing through its borders. Therefore, the U.S. saw fit to scuttle the arrangement as nuclear talks with Iran continue, according to Reuters. 

Improving Infrastructure

According to Al-Jazeera, Iraq is currently constructing, seeking approval or negotiating for a series of industrial-scale solar power plants which, combined, will generate up to 12.5 gigawatts, potentially supplying 20% of the nation’s demand. 

The first of which, housed in Karbala, could produce up to 300 megawatts. Another plant under construction in Babil province is set to produce 225 megawatts, and soon to break ground, estimates suggest that a site in the Basra province could generate one gigawatt. In addition, the French oil conglomerate TotalEnergies, in conjunction with several other corporations, has enacted the second phase of development at the Ratawi oilfield.

ENKA, a Turkish construction company, has been commissioned to build the oil and gas processing complex, which could result in a daily output of 210,000 barrels of oil as well as 163 million standard cubic feet of gas.  

Hyundai Engineering and Construction plans to complete a seawater treatment facility that will allow Iraq to reduce its reliance on freshwater for processing.

The Chinese firm Petroleum Engineering and Construction Corp. will also build a separate gas processing plant expected to produce up to 600 million standard cubic feet per day. The entire multi-faceted project will cost the French oil giant a total of $27 billion.

Looking Ahead

While certain deals that would have alleviated dependency and demand may have faltered due to political pressure, Iraq’s dedication to improving its energy infrastructure remains.

– Owen Armentrout

Owen is based in Detroit, MI, USA and focuses on Business and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Flickr

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Renewable Energy in Comoros

Renewable Energy in ComorosThe innovative production of novel renewable energy technologies are essential to the economic development of countries in the developing world, such as Comoros. The East African country of Comoros is a least developed country with a low GDP per capita, which was $1,784.12 in 2024. Comoros is located in the Indian Ocean, encompassing a group of islands by which Grande Comore is the most massive in size of the islands and Mohéli is the tiniest in size.

Poverty in Comoros is catastrophic with poor, unprofitable harvests on a national economy that is dependent on farming. In 2014, the poverty headcount ratio measured up to a 31.4% of the population of Comoros living on less than $3 a day, in scale with 2021 purchasing power adjusted prices. In the combat against poverty, improving public health especially the incidence of waterborne infectious diseases, acute lower respiratory infections and lung cancer through the use of renewable sources of energy over other energy sources is beneficial. Non-renewable sources of energy have high damage costs, which was $16.4 million in 2021 as a result of carbon dioxide gas emissions from the use of fossil fuels and cement production. Here is more information about renewable energy in Comoros.

Hydroelectric Power Plants in Comoros

Comoros has hydroelectric power plants constructed on the island, which are a renewable source of energy. Hydroelectric power plants transform the potential energy of water into electrical energy, which holds advantages of having low operational and maintenance costs, a long lifespan, as well as wide-ranging uses in: irrigation, the supply of water to urban areas, flood control and navigation. The greater the water flow rate, height of the water descending and conversion efficiency of the turbine, the greater the electrical power generated from the hydroelectric power plant. However, Comoros still has a poor supply of electricity and water, largely due to poverty. Comoros and other low-economic countries could develop the technical potential of hydroelectric power, since only 6% of the technical potential for hydroelectric power has undergone development for use in Africa, compared to half in Europe.

The Benefits of Hydroelectric Power

The use of hydroelectric power as a renewable energy source over non-renewable energy sources reduces carbon emissions and decreases greenhouse gas emissions, which is of great importance in light of the Paris Agreement (2016) – a legally binding international treaty on environmental welfare that 195 parties adopted at a United Nations conference to limit global temperature rises. The necessity for the integration of renewable energy sources is paramount to an eco-friendly economic development, since for Comoros a weighty 0.23 tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions emitted were from the transportation sector in 2021, which is just a fragment of the wider societal infrastructure.

Although Comoros has built and installed hydroelectric power plants on the island, a greater number of other renewable energy source technologies would be beneficial to the increasingly urbanized towns and industrialization as the country develops economically in strategies to reduce extreme forms of poverty. Since hydroelectric power is helpful in supplying storage and load balancing for solar, wind and other renewable energy sources, further investments in other renewable energy sources would be a fitting extension to the hydroelectric power plants present on the island.

Solar Energy Project in Comoros

Comoros has invested in solar energy via a Solar Energy Access Project for Comoros, with the goal of expanding the renewable energy generation capacity and enhancing the operational performance of the solar energy system for electricity. Power storages in addition to photovoltaic and system upgrades were installed as part of the project at solar photovoltaic power plants built at Grande Comore, Anjouan and Mohéli, while the battery storage remained situated in Grande Comore and Anjouan. The photovoltaic cells transform solar energy radiation from sunlight directly into electrical energy that people can use as electricity.

The vast majority of photovoltaic cells in international financial retail market shares comprise crystalline silicon materials. According to a review on solar photovoltaic technology, innovative carbon nanotube cells used as a material for photovoltaic cells have the capacity to convert 75% of the light energy it receives into electricity, which could aid in providing a more reliable source of electricity to Comoros. Comoros has a tropical weather climate with peak temperatures of 35°C at the beginning of the humid season, therefore the warm sunny climate makes solar energy an ideal renewable energy source.

The Comoros National Electricity Corporation will aid the enlargement across territories of the management information system of the solar energy project plus the installation of the advanced metering infrastructure to all customers. Solar energy projects have great potential compared to other renewable sources of energy as the International Energy Agency (IEA) suggested, and could even help disinfect water for safe drinking.

Looking Ahead

The use of renewable energy sources rather than non-renewable sources of energy is crucially important in the industrial development of Comoros, in order for the country to expand economically as a poverty-reduction effort without causing pollutive damage to the ecosystem, public health or financial trade markets. Hydroelectric and solar energy power plants are renewable sources of energy that have been constructed in Comoros, although maximizing the technical benefits of the renewable energy sources is vital to ensure an efficient, reliable electricity and water supply in a country that has poor utilities due to poverty.

– Deborah Asante 

Deborah is based in London, UK and focuses on Technology and Global Health for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Unsplash

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Food and Electricity: Cuban Mothers’ Activism Against Poverty

Cuban Mothers“Food and electricity” has been the rallying cry for Cuban citizens since the 2021 Cuban protests. In July 2021, Cubans took to the streets in record numbers to protest the COVID-19 response, scarcity of food and medicines and governmental restrictions on their rights. Continuing blackouts due to the energy sector’s collapse fueled protests. As of early 2025, only six of the country’s 15 oil-powered plants remained functional.

The blackouts paralyzed businesses, disrupted schools and caused mass spoilage of household food. According to reports by civil society organizations, around 290 protests driven by the National Electric Power System collapse took place between June 2024 and June 2025. Other factors have spurred the demonstrations, such as the decades-long U.S. embargo, which began in 1958 and has since tightened under the Trump administration; currency reform, which led to soaring inflation; and the COVID-19 pandemic.

These protests have been marked with resilience, especially by Cuban mothers who have been leading the charge. Cuban mothers’ activism has been the loudest, filling the void in the protest movement.

Mothers on the Front Line

Forced to bear the weight of being both caregivers and wage-owners, mothers in Cuba, especially single mothers, bear the brunt of the economic hardships disproportionately. Becoming the main opposition to the Cuban regime, Cuban matriarchs are demanding basic needs such as food, water, electricity, health care and housing. Worried about how the living and economic conditions may impact the lives of their children, Cuban mothers’ activism has brought these issues to the fore.

One poignant example of mothers spearheading the protest movement is 33-year-old Amelia Calzadilla. In a social media video, Calzadilla asked local authorities to run a gas line to her block, one of the few areas in Havana that does not have government-provided gas service. Since her initial video, she began sharing more openly antigovernment stances about Cuba’s deteriorating living conditions. Juggling activism, a paid occupation and caring for three children, Calzadilla represents the multifaceted pressures Cuban women are facing.

In more recent protests, mothers who were unable to feed their children have blocked highways. During the country’s frequent blackouts, matriarchs are protesting through the streets, banging pots and pans until the electricity resumes. Local media reports that more than 30 of these protests occurred in 2023. Women have also been the most vocal in denouncing the government’s detention of at least 45 minors for their participation in the 2021 protests. They have called out children being detained and interrogated without the presence of adults.

Moving Forward

Cuban mothers’ activism has become a formidable force, confronting social and economic issues while they shoulder the weight of being a matriarch. Their feat is all the more monumental considering the danger of detention that protestors face.

– Libby Foxwell

Libby is based in Sherborne, Dorset, UK and focuses on Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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Renewable Energy in Tuvalu: Towards 100% Energy Independence

Renewable Energy in TuvaluIn 2015, the United Nations established 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), with goal seven aimed at ensuring “access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all.” Behind this goal lies the widespread issue of energy poverty, or the lack of access to reliable and clean energy due to poor infrastructure or high costs. Energy poverty disproportionately affects developing nations, where it both reflects and reinforces existing poverty. One promising solution is to implement renewable energy, which lowers energy costs, improves energy reliability and supports sustainable growth. Over the past decade, Tuvalu, one of the world’s most energy-impoverished nations, has emerged as a leader in this movement, with a goal of achieving 100% renewable energy by 2030. Here is more information about renewable energy in Tuvalu.

What Is Tuvalu?

Tuvalu is a small Polynesian island nation in the Pacific Ocean, composed of four reef islands and five atolls and totaling just 16 square miles. With a population of approximately 11,733, Tuvalu is known for its rich Polynesian culture, stunning marine environment and advocacy.

Tuvalu is also the 46th poorest country in the world, according to the 2024 World Economic Report. Despite some ocean economic activity, Tuvalu relies heavily on international aid to meet its basic needs, like water, sanitation, transportation, energy and health care.

Energy Poverty in Tuvalu

One of Tuvalu’s most pressing economic challenges is its dependence on imported fossil fuels. In 2021, 96% of Tuvalu’s energy came from imported fossil fuels, which consumed more than 70% of the nation’s budget. High energy costs and poor infrastructure mean many Tuvaluans spend large portions of their income on unreliable and unhealthy energy sources. This not only reinforces cycles of poverty, but also burdens the country’s health, education and clean water services and its economic development.

During the 2009 Conference of the Parties (COP15), Tuvalu’s President Feleti Teo highlighted this cost: “Oil prices in Tuvalu will keep on rising even above the current levels of 3-400% above world prices…this is simply unrealistic and unsustainable for our poor islands.”

Why Renewable Energy in Tuvalu Matters

Renewable energy provides Tuvalu with a path toward sustainability, economic resilience and energy independence. By implementing 100% solar, wind and other renewables, Tuvalu could eliminate the need for imported fuel, cut energy costs, create jobs and stabilize energy access. Recognizing this, Tuvalu set a national goal to achieve 100% renewable energy by 2030 and has made already made some major progress thanks to international aid from global partners.

Progress Towards 100% Renewable Energy in Tuvalu

In 2023, Tuvalu celebrated the installation of a 184 solar panel Floating Solar Photovoltaic system on Tafua Pond in Funafuti. This system will generate 174.2 megawatts per hour of electricity each year (2% of Funafuti’s energy demand), reduce Tuvalu’s fossil fuel consumption by 41,100 liters per year and save the nation approximately $68,000 USD per year.

In May 2024, Tuvalu completed its first large-scale solar farm and a two-megawatt-hour battery storage system on its main island, Funafuti. Spanning several hectares of land and rooftop and utilizing advanced photovoltaic technology, the project significantly reduces Funafuti’s diesel dependency and improves energy reliability. With this success, the government and its partners are actively developing additional solar and wind projects to diversify energy sources. 

The Tuvalu government, in collaboration with the Tuvalu Climate Action Network, has also launched education and training initiatives to raise awareness about the benefits of renewable energy and prepare locals with the skills needed to maintain and operate the renewable energy systems.

The Role of International Support

Tuvalu relies heavily on international financial aid to fund its renewable energy projects. For example, grants from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank (ADB), Global Environment Facility and International Renewable Energy Agency made the solar projects possible.

Brian Webb, Director of Sustainability at the College of Wooster, visited Tuvalu in 2024  to prepare for a study-abroad program focused on Pacific island sustainability. In an interview with The Borgen Project, he commented on the relatively low cost of helping Tuvalu transition to clean energy: “It would not take very many million dollars to put them 100 percent on clean energy….Elon Musk spends more in a day than it would cost to fully outfit Tuvalu with clean energy. That is the sad part about it.”

Despite years of promises at global summits like COP15, Webb says, “It is a lot of talk and not a lot of action… Most countries that have the political means to make a positive impact are simply not doing that.” 

Teo’s call for a physical UN presence in Tuvalu during COP15 still resonates today:  “The UN cannot continue to be a ‘faceless’ actor on MDGs and sustainable development.”

Why the US Should Act

Investing in renewable energy in Tuvalu poses not only a humanitarian imperative but also offers a geopolitical opportunity for the U.S. in the Pacific. As Webb explained: “Countries like the U.S. talk a lot about the danger of China’s growing influence… For a relatively small investment, the U.S. could support Pacific nations and counter China’s reach in the region.” However, U.S. support would likely improve regional alliances, demonstrate U.S. leadership on poverty issues and foster long-term strategic returns from the Pacific. 

Renewable Energy to Economic Self-Sufficiency

The transition to renewable energy in Tuvalu provides a road map towards resilience and self-sufficiency and serves as a guide for other developing island nations. As Teo stated: “By harnessing the power of the sun, we are taking control of our energy needs and setting an example for other small island nations facing similar challenges.”

– Dylan Kretchmar

Dylan is based in Granville, OH, USA and focuses on Good News and Technology for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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USAID Programs in Moldova

USAID Programs in MoldovaMoldova is a country in Eastern Europe and a former Soviet republic. In 1992, a year after the fall of the USSR, USAID started working with the country to facilitate the state’s transition, including ending extreme poverty, supporting democracy and advancing resilience and security. Since then, USAID programs in Moldova have amounted to $2.5 billion with focus on both rural and urban areas. 

Despite these efforts, poverty remains a serious issue, particularly in rural regions. For example, last year the Southern region experienced an absolute poverty rate of 51.4%, while the capital region, with better opportunities, reported a significantly lower rate of 14.6%.

These challenges make USAID programs particularly important, and the following are some of the most notable USAID programs with poverty reducing effects.

The Moldova Competitiveness Enhancement Program (MCE)

The Moldova Competitiveness Enhancement Program (MCE) was a large investment aiming to integrate Moldova with European markets. It aimed to increase competitiveness of Moldovan producers through various improvements in the business environment. The profits have far exceeded the project’s cost of $37 million as the World Bank estimated them to be between $69 million to $93 million in value added exports.

The improvements included facilitated access to finance, help in meeting western production standards and major investments in tourism, wine and clothing industries.

The program also improved access to MSTQ (Metrology, Standardization, Testing and Quality) services which enabled small and medium sized enterprises to increase revenues and create jobs, directly contributing to poverty reduction. On top of that, it provided targeted assistance to female entrepreneurs, ensuring inclusive growth. 

Notably, the program supported more than 60 Moldovan wine producers in meeting global food safety certificates, consequently helping them access higher-paying markets which boosts incomes for families in rural areas dependent on wine making. The World Bank evaluated the efficiency of the program as substantial, emphasizing the positive effects of USAID.

Energy Security of the Republic of Moldova

The ongoing energy security program in Moldova aimed at addressing humanitarian and economic issues. While the donors have continued to support the program beforehand, the U.S. marked a major milestone in 2022 directly after the Russian invasion of Ukraine, by promising $300 million in aid to improve energy security which DW described as “a major issue in Moldova.”

The U.S. embassy in Chisinau aimed to cover the following using the funds

  • Direct support to relieve Moldovans of record high electricity costs ($80 million).
  • Development of power plants projects to diversify power supply. This includes an ambitious new high voltage line between Romania and Moldova for energy security and European integration ($135 million).
  • Enhancement of Moldova’s ability to produce energy from alternative sources ($85 million).

Officials in the U.S. and Moldova planned the money to support economic development and energy security while promoting sustainability through integration of renewable energy, which also helps protect low-income households from future energy shocks. Importantly, the energy security program directly contributed to lower electricity costs, which alleviates poverty as it reduces economic strain on low-income families. 

According to the UN, during the 2022-2023 and 2023-2024 winter seasons, the average energy poverty rate in Moldova fell from 89% to 81.3%. While this improvement reflects the UN’s targeted support, USAID’s efforts in the energy infrastructure and affordability during the same period likely contributed to this positive outcome, helping low-income families manage the rising costs of living.

Inclusive and Participatory Processes Project (IPP)

Among the USAID programs in Moldova, the IPP has focused on democracy strengthening and greater overall participation in decision-making which can be poverty reducing. USAID started the project before the 2020 presidential election in Moldova to ensure transparency and accountability of the vote.

The financial assistance allowed easier election tracking for voters in real time, it provided political training for all parties and notably helped improve the electoral system which managed to withstand a cyberattack on election day. The funding also focused largely on educating voters through sponsoring 25 candidate debates and supporting a government exchange program which educated more than 500 Moldovans on the electoral process. 

The fund also created equal opportunities for citizens through increasing access to polling stations for all. Vasile Savca, the monitor of accessibility in Causeni – a city in Moldova – spoke positively about recent changes saying “I am glad to notice the House of Culture in my village has become more accessible lately … We shall remind the society that people with disability have equal rights as all citizens.” Crucially, the IPP helps ensure that government resources reach communities in need, through transparent and accountable elections, thus indirectly supporting poverty reduction. Moreover, the IPP helps ensure that policies and budgets better address economic needs through increased participation of marginalized populations in elections.

Life After USAID Suspension

Sadly, in 2025 the U.S. Congress voted to reduce the international aid fund, consequently cutting funding for USAID programs in Moldova. Due to that, the government will not be able to undertake many projects and will have to suspend many others. This, for instance, includes the earlier mentioned high voltage line between Moldova and Romania.

However, residents have generally positive feelings towards the aid and they praised USAID programs in Moldova such as the creation of the national wine brand. Despite this setback, people stay optimistic and while American money has been helpful now Europe has stepped up to fill in the gap. For instance, Moldova.org, a feminist news page tackling sensitive stories had three European NGOs pay salaries of their workers for around 3 months after the USAID budget cut.

Ana Gherciu, the director of development of the site, is confident that “there are solutions” to the issue. They are far from being the only case and the attempts to secure aid from other sources are becoming a countrywide pattern. Even the government announced that it is seeking European funding for the power line. In the face of this challenge, Moldovans are staying hopeful and resourceful as they have experienced themselves the positive impacts of humanitarian aid.

– Karol Hejduk

Karol is based in London, UK and focuses on Good News and Politics for The Borgen Project.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons