The World Faces a Critical Energy Crisis: 700 Million People Lack Access to Electricity
By Kede Aihie
The global energy scenario is in a state of crisis, with approximately 700 million people worldwide lacking access to electricity and over 2 billion people without access to clean cooking solutions ¹. This stark reality was highlighted by Damilola Ogunbiyi, CEO of Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) and United Nations Special Representative of the Secretary-General and UN-Energy Co-Chair, at the Center on Global Energy Policy’s Global Energy Summit.
Developed countries have made significant progress in clean energy, but developing nations continue to struggle. To address this disparity, it’s essential to gather data on developing countries’ energy needs, quantify the energy transition, develop energy transition plans, and unlock energy finance [1).
The energy crisis requires immediate attention and collective action. Various global energy summits and events are taking place to tackle this issue, including the World Energies Summit in London ¹, the Global Renewables Summit in New York ², and the World Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi ³. These gatherings bring together leaders, stakeholders, and experts to discuss solutions and promote sustainable energy for all.
Achieving a sustainable energy future requires a multifaceted approach:
- Energy Access: Ensuring universal access to electricity and clean cooking solutions
- Energy Transition: Quantifying and planning for a transition to renewable energy sources
- Energy Finance: Unlocking investments to support sustainable energy projects
- Global Cooperation: Collaboration among governments, private sector, and international organizations
The global energy crisis demands bold action and innovative solutions. By working together, we can ensure a sustainable energy future for all.
References:
¹ Nigeria Magazine
² European Commission
³ ADNEC, Abu Dhabi
