Access to Energy - brief outlook

There are 675 million people without electricity access in the world, of which 84% (567 million) live in Sub-Saharan Africa. Most of the electricity consumed in that region is not affordable or reliable. And 2,3 billion people have no access to clean cooking, usually generated through inefficient combustion of solid biomass - mainly wood or charcoal. This is increasing deforestation, greenhouse gas emissions and not creating sustainable economies and well-being.

EDP’s role

EDP is promoting Access to Energy (A2E) in emerging markets while supporting leadership in energy transition. Access to Energy reflects EDP's constant commitment to the local communities where it has operations, combining investment and social responsibility, while also potentiating new opportunities for internationalization in countries.

The EDP Group launched the A2E program in 2009, with the first project carried out at the Kakuma Refugee Camp in Kenya. This initiative was a joint effort between EDP and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR). It implemented energy efficiency strategies and solar power for heating, lighting and water purification and pumping, improving the quality of life of thousands of refugees.

Since then, A2E projects have already been implemented several countries as well as consulting and concept development projects.

EDP operates in two main areas: investment in existing A2E companies and Corporate Social Responsibility.

With these actions to promote access to energy in regions that still maintain a significant part of their populations without access to electricity, EDP contributes not only to giving access to affordable and clean energy but also enables a broader impact, such as poverty reduction, education, health, economic growth, and climate change.

Globally, EDP has already invested more than €16 million in energy access that have benefited over 400,000 people directly and more than 3 million indirectly.

EDP’s A2E Footprint 

Impact