F1ID 5095 - Access to Energy in Developing Countries: Development, Technology, Financing, and Policy

With more than 750 million people lacking access to electricity and clean cooking solutions, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia, energy access remains one of the 21st century's greatest developmental challenges. How can we accelerate progress towards universal access? What economic, financial, and governance conditions are needed? What technological solutions and challenges exist? What lessons can we learn from successful countries?

At the intersection of economics, geopolitics, finance, and public policy, energy access requires a multidisciplinary approach. The course combines academic perspectives with field experience through expert guest speakers.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of the course, the students will be able to:

• Discuss the global situation, trends, and challenges of energy access.
• Understand the economic and financial challenges and opportunities related to achieving universal energy access, including investment needs, affordability, and innovative financing models.
• Evaluate the importance of effective governance frameworks in promoting energy access, including regulatory environments, institutional capacity, and stakeholder engagement.
• Identify and discuss necessary public policies to support energy access, such as supportive legislation, incentives, and education programs.
• Explain various technological solutions for expanding energy access, including grid expansion, off-grid systems, and clean clean cooking technologies.
• Examine case studies of countries that have successfully improved energy access and identify key strategies and practices that can serve as models for other regions.

Professional Skills

• Students will learn to examine complex issues from a holistic and interdisciplinary perspective (including technical, economic, financial, policy, and geopolitical aspects).
• Students will learn to draft executive papers/presentations and participate in debates on these strategies.
• Students will learn to work both individually and in groups.

Basic knowledge of development issues and energy transition.

Feedback will be provided on a regular basis, through evaluation and comments on their factsheets, as well as feedback on case studies and strategy proposals

Country Profiles: Each student creates a 2-page factsheet on a country's energy access status, trends, & challenges.

Success Stories: Groups of 2-3 present a 2-page case study on a country's energy access success, focusing on a specific aspect & replicable lessons.

Strategy Proposal: Groups of 3-4 develop a strategy for a country, including analysis, goals, actions, and an implementation plan. These Strategy Proposals will be presented and discussed during the last two sessions of the course.

Timeline

• Factsheets: Week 3-4 20%
• Case Studies: Week 6-7-8-9 30%
• Strategy Proposals (paper and presentation): Week 11-12 50%

• Attendance: 2 hours a week / 24 hours a semester
• Reading and Preparation for Class: 3.5 hours a week / 42 hours a semester
• Research and Preparation for Group Work: 5.5 hours a week / 66 hours a semester
• Research and Writing for Individual Assessments: 3.5 hours a week / 42 hours a semester