Solar power for developing countries: The key to electrification!

Solar power for developing countries: The key to electrification!

The challenges and progress in energy supply play a central role in the global development discussion. Around two billion people worldwide cook on open fires every day, which releases around one gigaton of CO2 every year. This practical and everyday reality is demonstrated by Dr. Elkhan Richard Sadik-Zada, a development and energy economist. He is particularly concerned with the sustainability of electricity supply through solar energy.

In many rural areas, such as Cambodia, Sierra Leone, Uganda, the Pamir Mountains and northern Syria, there is no central power supply. International development cooperation supports electrification in these regions. Decentralized, off-grid solar technologies in particular often represent the only option for electrification in low-income countries. Solar systems are available either as community-based mini grids or as standalone photovoltaic systems with battery storage.

Effects of electrification

Field research interviews in rural areas have demonstrated the positive impacts of electrification. Communities with and without solar power were compared. The results show that electrification offers significant benefits. Agriculture in particular benefits from electric pumps for irrigation, which enables the cultivation of market surpluses and reduces the negative effects of climate change.

Additionally, the availability of electric light means that businesses stay open longer, which increases business owners' profits. On average, family income in villages with solar-powered electricity increases by 15 to 20 percent. Women have a particular benefit because solar power means they have to spend less time gathering fuel. Electric stoves reduce health risks from smoke and allow women to use their time more productively.

Another important point is children's learning. When there is electric lighting, children spend more time on their learning activities. Even though a billion people worldwide don't have a bank account, solar power could increase access to mobile payment methods. What is particularly noteworthy is that up to 80 percent of people in villages powered by solar power cook electrically, which leads to a significant reduction in CO2 emissions.

The importance of sustainability

Electrification not only contributes to general life satisfaction, but can also be sustainable without further development cooperation. However, maintenance and cleaning of solar systems are crucial for their long-term functionality. These systems have a lifespan of around 30 years and no longer require subsidies after three to five years. Dr. Sadik-Zada emphasizes that solar off-grid electrification does not lead to immediate economic recovery, but opens up promising prospects for vulnerable population groups.

The economic effects of electrification are particularly important for countries like Uganda. Only around 5 percent of the population there has access to electricity. In rural areas, where about 70 percent of the population lives, the electrification rate is only 38 percent. Low access to electricity hinders economic development and poverty reduction. The Ugandan government plans to encourage private investment in island grids to provide reliable energy supplies to villages where expanding the central grid is not financially viable.

In Germany, the focus of the debate is now on CO2 emissions, which will average 363 grams per kilowatt hour of electricity in 2024. This value has decreased compared to 2023 (386 grams) and 2022 (433 grams). A higher share of renewable energy combined with a decrease in electricity consumption has contributed to this reduction. The electricity import surplus, which was achieved in 2023 for the first time since 2002 with 9.2 terawatt hours more imported than exported electricity, even rose to 24.4 TWh in 2024.

A closer look at the emissions makes it clear that these import quantities are not counted towards German electricity generation. This shows a reduction in the specific emissions factor from 2023, but is not necessarily an indicator of the actual sustainability of the emission reduction measures. Electricity consumption in Germany has experienced several fluctuations in recent years, but remains at a high level. Forecasts show a decline to 439 TWh for 2024.

In summary, electrification through decentralized solar energy in developing countries not only brings ecological benefits, but also opens up social and economic perspectives. At the same time, the challenge of CO2 emissions must be pursued further in countries with advanced infrastructure such as Germany.