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