1.6 billion people in developing and emerging countries have no access to electricity. 2.5 billion depend on biomass for cooking. They have to cover long distances to gather fuelwood, the smoke produced in their kitchens is a severe threat to their health, and without electric light in the evenings, the chances of studying or educating themselves decline. An adequate energy supply provides the basis for economic growth.

Energy-efficient stoves, solar systems and village-based power grids can improve the energy supply in developing countries. However, there are often obstacles to implementing these methods, for example inadequate know-how, the lack of suitable financial services and an unfavourable political environment.

In its partner countries, GIZ promotes sustainable basic power supplies generated from renewable energies and supports efficient energy use. We advise ministries, arrange training for producers, traders and service companies and jointly implement pilot energy supply projects, thus helping to establish a favourable economic and political framework for sustainable basic energy supplies.