PPEO 2019 is the culmination of five years’ research, exploring what it takes to realise the kinds of energy services that enable people living in energy poverty to thrive. The report compiles and updates key messages and recommendations on energy access planning (PPEO 2016), financing (PPEO 2017) and delivering at scale, while also leaving no one behind (PPEO 2018). It draws on primary research from community consultations in Bangladesh, Kenya and Togo, as well as analysis of energy access programmes across Latin America, South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa; considering how to ramp up energy access from small-scale interventions to national and global levels, to ensure that the transformational power of energy is universally enjoyed.

This is because, with just a decade to go until the deadline for the 2030 Global Goals, universal energy access remains elusive. Scaling-up access will require a huge increase and re-balance of investment, innovative business models, changes in policy frameworks and institutional capacity, increased awareness, and improved technical solutions. PPEO 2019 explores progress achieved across these elements to date and considers what remains to be done, to ensure that we truly leave no one behind in our pursuit of SDG7.

Practical Action