Hundreds of millions of people in rural areas still lack access to basic energy. Subsidised Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models have the potential to fast track progress towards achieving SDG 7 and leave no one behind.
Traditionally used by utilities, the Energy as a Service (EaaS) model charges service fees to end users, who do not directly bear the capital expenditure (CapEx) of the infrastructure that supplies energy to their homes. There is no down payment, they only pay a fee for using the system.
While the growth of the off-grid solar market has driven an impressive increase in people accessing clean and renewable energy across Africa, hundreds of millions are being left behind, unable to access even the basic levels of light and electricity provided by a Tier 1 solar home system. SDG-7 cannot be achieved by simply scaling up existing models.
The Rural Energy Access Lab is a collective working on fast-tracking progress towards universal energy access in rural sub-Saharan Africa through innovative Energy-as-a-Service (EaaS) models.
REAL's approach emphasizes long term sustainability, incorporating strategies to ensure long term access and minimise e-waste, promoting products that are "built to last", developing more efficient subsidy models and encouraging the participation of local companies.
By overcoming affordability and risk barriers, EaaS models enable large scale universal access projects to be implemented rapidly and sustainably.
Help government, funders and private sector to fast track energy access across the continent.
Use infrastructure and project financing for large-scale projects that reach even the most remote areas.
We're developping new standards for off-grid solar products that are built to last longer, facilitating repairs and reducing e-waste.
Support the development of sustainable local companies to operate the model by empowering accountable local Energy-as-a-Service operators serving rural areas.
To date, more than 24.000 households in high-poverty areas across Malawi, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo are paying for Energy-as-a-Service, paving the way for sustainable operations and local job creation.
350 households connected in 5 villages, with penetration rates ranging from 88% to 100%.
20,000 households energized, 96% living in rural areas, 73% below the poverty line.
Reaching 4,000 hard to reach families across 10 villages, 97% living in extreme poverty.
50 isolated villages pre-electrified, with more than 80% penetration rate.
The Rural Energy Access Lab was created by three high-impact organizations with solid field experience in off-grid solar energy access.
REAL has received support from leading organisations, all sharing a common belief: solar energy access for rural communities is fundamental to end inequality and achieve a just energy transition.
