Bringing Energy to the People

“The obstacles to energy access are not technical. What is missing is a global commitment to move energy access up the political and development agendas.” The director of the U.N. Industrial Development Organization says the benefits of giving poor people proper access to electricity trump the costs: “Increasing energy access is not only about supplying better, more efficient cooking stoves or light bulbs. To promote economic development and growth, energy services must also work in the interest of creating wealth and jobs by providing power for businesses and improving healthcare, education, and transportation.”