Roadmap of Solar Energy for Universal Energy Access

As a major intergovernmental forum, the G20 plays a crucial role in international cooperation on economic issues. In addition to its traditional areas of focus, the G20 also addresses key global issues such as trade, sustainable development, energy, the environment, climate change and more. In recent years, the irreversible effects of climate change have necessitated a transition to green energy, using low-carbon energy technologies and improving energy efficiency to meet growing energy demand. Under India's presidency of the G20 in 2023, the Energy Working Group is working on several priority areas related to this energy transition, including access to energy, which is crucial to reconciling energy transition and economic development.

Access to energy remains a major challenge, particularly in developing and conflict regions. In 2020, around 9% of the world's population did not have access to electricity, or 733 million people, and at this rate, 670 million could still be without it by 2030, or around 8% of the world's population. In addition, only 69% of the world's population had access to clean cooking systems in 2020, and at this rate, more than 500 million people could be without access by 2030. The challenge of access to energy is most acute in developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa and rural areas.

Although the technological solutions needed to ensure access to energy are available, a number of challenges need to be overcome if these solutions are to be deployed on a large scale and sustainably. These can be categorised into three main areas: policy and regulation, access to affordable finance, and training and capacity building. Once these challenges have been addressed, sustainable business models for energy access can be developed, which will attract private sector investment and contribute to the sustainable socio-economic development of energy-deficient populations and countries.