The global shift to renewable energy must not leave behind those in African countries who currently lack electricity, warn University of Huddersfield researchers.
While the world is transitioning towards renewable energy systems, there are about 600 million people across Africa who still lack access to reliable and affordable energy.
A study by researchers at the University of Huddersfield found that this energy poverty creates barriers to development and human rights concerns.
For example, it stifles industrial growth, reduces agricultural efficiency (for example, irrigation systems need energy), denies access to technologies that rely on electricity to charge and affects healthcare.
Oyeniyi Abe, study lead and research fellow at the Centre for Comparative Law in Africa, said: “Our findings indicate that the transition to renewable energy must primarily aim to eradicate energy poverty. This requires careful planning and cooperation between all organisations, communities and institutions...
