Energy Poverty
Access to electricity profoundly transforms the lives of individuals, families, and entire communities. For families, reliable electricity means access to modern educational tools for children, such as computers and the internet, which are essential for academic success in today’s digital age. Additionally, electricity enables the use of household appliances, facilitating daily tasks and improving overall living conditions [1]. Safer cooking methods, made possible by electric stoves and clean energy sources, reduce health risks associated with traditional fuels like wood and charcoal, which are linked to respiratory diseases [2].
At the community level, electricity plays a critical role in improving public services, particularly in healthcare. Access to electricity enables the operation of life-saving medical equipment, including incubators and imaging machines, while also ensuring refrigeration for vaccines, which is vital for preventing disease outbreaks. For example, in areas where electricity is reliable, health facilities can maintain the cold chain necessary for immunization programs, which are crucial to children's health. Furthermore, access to electricity supports local businesses by providing the energy required for productivity and economic growth. It specifically facilitates agricultural projects, such as irrigation systems and food processing, which are essential for ensuring food security and stimulating the local economy [3].
Despite the benefits of electricity, 733 million people globally still lack access to electricity, with 570 million of these individuals residing in Sub-Saharan Africa [4;5] . The most affected are rural communities, which often rely on inefficient and hazardous energy sources such as kerosene, wood, and charcoal. According to the World Bank, “many people are using fuels that are not only inefficient but also hazardous to their health and the environment” . These traditional energy sources contribute significantly to both environmental degradation and severe health issues, including respiratory diseases caused by indoor air pollution. Additionally, data from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) [6] studies estimates that “around 1.18 billion people globally remain in energy poverty despite increasing access to electricity” [4;5]. The lack of reliable electricity severely limits economic opportunities, exacerbates poverty, and hinders human development.
