Community-led energy: How can UK aid support access to electricity?
On Tuesday 10 June, the International Development Committee will hold the first session of its new inquiry into ‘UK aid for community-led energy’.
‘Community-led energy’ is an approach where local communities own and manage their own renewable energy projects, ranging from cooperative solar projects to independent microgrids.
Research shows that ‘community-led energy’ is often more inclusive and successful at meeting the needs of poorer communities than large-scale, top-down projects. The UN’s 2024 Tracking Sustainable Development Goal 7 (SDG7) report highlights that decentralised energy projects are particularly beneficial for those in rural communities.
Meeting details
MPs will explore how this approach could help address the needs of some of the 750 million people who still lack access to electricity, while contributing to the 2015 Paris Agreement on Climate Change.
In the first panel, members will hear from leaders of renewable energy social enterprises and non-profit organisations, including William Kamkwamba whose story was featured in the Netflix film ‘The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind’. MPs are likely to ask about the scale of the clean energy access problem, potential solutions, and the realities of delivering projects on the ground.
In the second panel, MPs will explore best practices to achieve meaningful community engagement, and if policy makers are doing enough to ensure gender inclusivity and meet the needs of marginalised groups.