Over 666 million people remain without any access to electricity, according to International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)‘s report. This electricity-deprived population is more likely to live in remote areas and have lower incomes. Owing to their ease of deployment and cost efficiency, decentralized renewable energy (DRE) solutions are set to play a growing role in closing the access gap in underserved communities.
Although largely unrecorded in most countries, off-grid electricity production from renewables has seen steady increase. Each year, IRENA attempts to show major trends in global off-grid renewable energy deployment through its annual Off-grid Renewable Energy Statistics report. At the end of 2024, global off-grid renewable power capacity reached 11.1 gigawatts (GW), connecting 86 million people to electricity. Africa alone accounted for over three-quarters of the total beneficiaries in 2024.
Over 2 million off-grid renewable systems were delivering energy services across various end-use sectors—agriculture, health, education, public lighting, tourism and communication—excluding households. However, the majority of households with no grid access using off-grid systems had under 8 hours of electricity per day for basic lighting and entertainment in 2024. This shows that many off-grid households still lack access to sufficient energy services that can improve their livelihoods.
Off-grid renewable power has great potential to improve livelihoods in rural and remote areas, supporting the achievement of different Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Since DRE brings electricity generation and distribution close to the final consumer, its deployment creates local jobs and business opportunities. Off-grid solutions also increase access to clean water and sanitation. With lighting and electricity, students in remote areas can extend their studying hours and access digital learning. Greater use of off-grid products are also strengthening women and girls’ equitable economic participation in the energy workforce by making electricity more affordable for female-headed households.
Examples show how DRE supports different SDGs in communities beyond the reach of national grids. In Kwale County, Kenya, off-grid solar power is providing reliable electricity for cold storage, helping local fishermen preserve their catch and secure sustainable incomes. In Bugesera, Rwanda, a group of women installed a solar-powered irrigation system on their farm, growing better-quality fruits and vegetables that feed their families and boost the local economy. In Epworth, rural Zimbabwe, a school installed an off-grid solar-powered water borehole, giving children and families access to clean water. In Hogave, Papua New Guinea, mini-hydropower brings electricity to shared facilities including the local school, where students can now use digital devices and study in the evening with lighting.
