10 November 2017
Technology and new business models boost electricity access
More people worldwide are getting connected for the first time with renewables and off-grid systems are playing an increasing role, says International Energy report
A new IEA report found the number of people with no access to electricity fell to 1.1bn in 2016 down from 1.7bn in 2000. New technology and business models have been significant factors behind this progress—and clean energies and off-grid connections will account for a greater share of new connections in the future. Since 2012, the number of people getting access to electricity for the first time has accelerated to more than 100m people per year. That is compared to 62m people per year between 2000 and 2012. At this rate, the number of people with no access to electricity is on track to fall from more than one billion today to 674m by 2030. Developing countries in Asia have made significant
Also in this section
13 March 2026
Brussels is again weighing a cap on gas prices amid the Hormuz crisis, but the measure could backfire by deterring the LNG cargoes Europe urgently needs
12 March 2026
Emergency oil stocks provide a last line of defence to oil market shocks, so the IEA’s unprecedented 400m bl release represents something of a double-edged sword
12 March 2026
LPG could rapidly expand access to clean cooking across Africa and prevent hundreds of thousands of deaths from indoor air pollution each year, but infrastructure shortages and regulatory barriers are slowing investment and market growth
11 March 2026
Missiles over Dubai and disruption in Hormuz are testing the emirate’s reputation—and shaking the energy hub at the centre of the Gulf economy
