Distributed Renewables: The Smart Shortcut to Resilient, Inclusive Development 

Distributed Renewable Energy (DRE) solutions — including standalone solar systems that power homes, businesses, and farms, as well as mini-grids and clean cooking solutions — already displace millions of tonnes of kerosene, diesel, and petrol. DRE is the least-cost pathway to reach roughly half of the 666 million people still living without electricity, and the 2.1 billion people relying on traditional cooking fuels.  

Scaling DRE generates immediate emissions reductions while enabling climate adaptation and economic development. Solar irrigation pumps can increase smallholder yields up to fivefold, while clean cooking solutions can reduce household energy spending by up to 30%. The off-grid solar industry has already created hundreds of thousands of green jobs and powers more than 11 million micro and small enterprises which have generated billions in savings and new income. 

By prioritising DRE within NDCs and National Climate Plans, governments can unlock climate finance for clean energy solutions that directly strengthen communities, food systems, health facilities, and local economies, particularly during climate emergencies. 

The DRE Task Force: Supporting Governments to Optimise DRE in Their NDCs 

Even though two thirds of countries have already submitted their NDCs, about a third of the nations with the highest energy access deficits haven’t. Additionally, many of the submitted NDCs are not fully harnessing the potential of DRE in their energy access strategies, or they are only in the early stages of implementing it. 

Recognizing this gap, six leading energy access and sustainable development organisations have developed a dedicated DRE Task Force for NDCs. With key expertise from GOGLA (the global off-grid solar association), the Africa Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA), CLASP, GeCCO, SEforAll, and UNDP, the DRE Task Force can provide practical, tailored support to governments: 

• Adding, enhancing, or operationalising DRE measures within NDCs; 

• Designing realistic implementation pathways aligned with national priorities; 

• Improving enabling policy and regulatory environments; and 

• Strengthening alignment with climate finance requirements and investment opportunities to unlock new funding streams for low-carbon, inclusive energy access. 

 This coordinated, multi-stakeholder initiative brings global and regional expertise together at the moment countries need it most. 

Opportunities for Action 

NDC Implementation Support: For countries with high energy access deficits that have already submitted their NDCs, the DRE Task Force can support work to fully integrate DRE into NDC implementation and investment plans and energy strategies, rapidly accelerating energy access and enabling a wide range of other development impacts. 

NDC Development Support: For countries still finalizing their NDCs, the Task Force can support governments to embed DRE in their submissions to ensure that energy access strategies become a driver of cross-cutting climate action supported by catalytic climate finance. 

We encourage interested governments and development stakeholders to connect with the Task Force, learn more and ensure that the most climate vulnerable communities are placed at the heart of the clean energy transition. 
 

About the DRE Task Force Members 

African Minigrid Developers Association (AMDA) is an industry body representing renewable energy minigrid developers across Africa, advocating for policies and investments that enable energy access and rural development. 

CLASP is an international NGO, is the leading global authority on efficient appliance’s role in fighting climate change and improving people’s lives.  

GOGLA is the global off-grid solar association, whose members are powering hundreds of millions of homes, farms and businesses with clean, affordable, and high-quality solar products and services. 

Global Electric Cooking Coalition (GeCCo) is a collaboration of eCooking advocates seeking to significantly scale up access to electric cooking solutions across the world. 

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is an independent international organization driving progress toward universal sustainable energy access, aligned with SDG7 and the Paris Agreement.  

United National Development Programme (UNDP) is a global development network that helps countries achieve sustainable development, reduce poverty, and promote human rights in line with the SDGs.