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Global Energy Access Progress Slows Despite Renewable Gains, IEA Says

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The world is falling behind its 2030 energy access goal, with 655 million people still living without electricity, the International Energy Agency said Wednesday in its latest Tracking SDG 7: The Energy Progress Report.

About 2 billion people still rely on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, while Sub-Saharan Africa remains the most underserved region, with 970 million people lacking access to clean cooking, the report said.

Most regions continue advancing toward universal energy access, but progress has slowed sharply in Sub-Saharan Africa. The report said the pace of electrification must triple to achieve universal access by 2030.

Renewables generated more than 30% of global electricity, while renewable energy capacity climbed to a record 544 watts per person. International public clean energy finance reached $24.6 billion, and energy efficiency improved to 3.76 megajoules per US dollar.

Global electricity access remained unchanged at 92% in 2024, while annual progress slowed to about half the pace recorded over the previous decade. The rural electricity gap in Sub-Saharan Africa widened from 376 million to 447 million in 2010, the report said.

Clean cooking remains the largest energy access challenge. Urban access reached 89%, compared with 56% in rural areas, and 1.8 billion people could still depend on polluting fuels by 2030 without stronger action, the report warned.

The number of people without access to clean cooking in Sub-Saharan Africa could reach 1 billion by 2027. Household air pollution from traditional fuels also contributes to about 3 million deaths every year, the report said.

Renewables continue expanding, but significant disparities remain. Low-income countries average only 33.6 watts of renewable generating capacity per person, compared with 1,224 watts in high-income economies.

Energy efficiency gains slowed to 1.5% in 2023 from 2.4% in 2022, leaving progress well below the pace needed to meet global targets. The report said stronger efficiency measures will help reduce energy demand, costs and emissions.

International public financial flows supporting clean energy in developing countries rose slightly to $24.6 billion in 2024 from $24.4 billion a year earlier. Debt financing accounted for about 80% of total flows, while grants represented 13%, equity 2% and guarantees 5%.

"Access to modern energy starts with two fundamentals: clean cooking and electricity. Since 2010, 1.5 billion people have gained access to clean cooking and 800 million have gained access to electricity, showing that with the right policies, progress is possible," IEA Director Fatih Birol said.

Birol added that the IEA is working with governments, industry, and international partners to speed up investment and policy efforts needed to achieve universal energy access, particularly for clean cooking.

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