Around 790 million people worldwide still have no electricity and seriously hinder opportunities for development. However, with the support of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), installing the so-called’tele grid’ in a fragile society from Laos to Vanuatu, Mozambique is a large-scale grid connection where low-cost renewable energy solutions are more expensive. 

“This is the first step into a wonderful future,” says ReubenNatamatewia, the chief head of the island of Lerepa, part of an archipelago of 83 islands that make up the Vanuatu country. The poorest country in the world. 

Mr. Natamatewia is excited about the possibility of a group grid installed on the island. This island, like most islands in the country, is not connected to the national grid. Until now, the island’s inhabitants had limited capacity and had to cope with contaminated diesel generators or individual solar home systems that provided little enough power to charge their phones. Installation promises to be a Rerepa game changer. 

“If our village is fully electronic we can refrigerate our daily catch. Electric water pumps provide drinking water to the village. Schools will allow teachers and students to use photocopying instruments and printers. Thanks to the sewing machine, women will be able to refrigerate their daily catch. Producers can increase the production of crafts.”

The success of these projects highlights the enormous impact of electricity on some of the world’s poorest people and the relatively low level of investment required to achieve electricity. Ms. Soezer said the potential to bring electricity to millions of people is huge. 

“According to 2018 figures, there are still 789 million people without access to electricity. By expanding the low-cost swarm network program, we can electrify about 80% of them, and the cost per connection is approximately 400 to 500 US dollars. Each family will eventually pay less than US $ 2.00 per month. ” 

In order to scale and achieve these results, governments will still need to obtain the necessary loans and grants with the support of the climate investment platform backed by the UN and other institutions. However, a large number of power grid projects show that in view of political will, that is, universal access to cleaning. The end goal of affordable and reliable power is technically feasible and realistic.