Renewable Energy

Electricity and heat generation are the single greatest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, and escalating energy costs are quickly becoming the greatest drain on household incomes and businesses. This dual crisis has led to a significant growth in clean energy markets. Global renewable energy markets are projected to reach a value of US$500b in 2020 and $1 trillion by 2030 (Morgan Stanley 2007), generating as many as 10 million jobs (UNEP 2008). Additionally, given the decentralized nature of many renewable energy sources, there is significant potential for local enterprise development in these markets, either for local energy supply, or in new partnerships between communities, government and industry. There are new opportunities for low-income communities in experiences such as:

• Community-owned utilities that generate savings for local residents and profits for community investment.

• Co-generation plants in large institutions that capture heat to generate electricity at low cost for local residents.

• Micro-enterprises that support poor households and small businesses to transition from diesel to solar lighting and power.