Energy access: the key for development

The United Nations (UN) let very clear the climate agenda for the following 30 years in order to keep living our lives without compromising the resources of future generations. Goal seven of the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) is “to ensure access to affordable, reliable, sustainable and modern energy for all”. Despite the significant progress and commitment of governments, 1 in 7 people still do not have access to electricity and most of them live in rural areas of the developing world [1].

Energy poverty has major impacts on health, economic activity, and the environment because it reduces the current and future productivity and limits the potential for development [2]. Energy poverty is the lack of energy access and it can be measured by the Energy Development Indicator (EDI) [3]:

EDI serves as an indicator of the overall development of a country. Energy access, human development, and economic development are closely linked. As humans, we have been able to survive and evolve thanks to fire and at the present time we are able to perform our daily chores thanks to electricity. The industrial and technological revolution brought new methods and machines with several inventions that changed the world and made our lives more comfortable. For instance, by having a washing machine at home we have more free time to focus on other activities instead of washing clothes by hand. 

We take electricity for granted as we grew up in a society used to turning on the lights when we get home at night, without realizing that the energy access we have is the bedrock for our development as a civilization.

Rural areas are the most affected ones by the lack of electrification. In developing countries, the integration of energy systems can have a direct impact on the population wellbeing. Refrigeration is a good case in point as it increases the durability of the food as well as storing medicines and vaccines which both allow improving health conditions. Also, the displacement of unhealthy kerosene lamps for lighting contributes not only to reduce respiratory problems, furthermore increases education as kids are able to study when there is no longer daylight. Lighting creates a feeling of less isolation and increased security. It has been shown that street lighting can reduce crime by 36% [5].

In addition, electricity improves connectivity and communication, there is more access to information and entertainment which promotes prosperity. Rural electrification increases the labor supply of men and women, household income, and expenditure which altogether helps to reduce poverty. 

Energy access is a human right and rural electrification should be one of the main priorities in every government’s agenda. Access to reliable electricity is a critical factor for a nation's development and furthermore, for human wellbeing.

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[1] World Bank.

[2] Mikel González-Eguino, Energy poverty: An overview, 2015.

[3] The World Energy Foundation.

[4] United Nations Development programme, Human Development Reports.

[5] Urban Labs, University of Chicago.