SNV welcomes new energy access goals by Minister Ploumen

SNV welcomes the new energy access target set by Dutch Minister for Foreign Trade and Development Cooperation, Lilianne Ploumen. The Minister has announced to provide access to renewable energy for 50 million people by 2030. This ambition is in line with the international acknowledgement of energy access as one of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG7).

SNV is very pleased with this new energy target which puts additional attention on an issue with many drastic consequences. Globally, over 1.3 billion people are without access to electricity and 2.6 billion people are without clean cooking facilities.

SNV is active in energy in 26 countries, particularly in biogas, clean and improved cookstoves, solar PV market development and mini grid solutions. Achievements are solid, such as the installation of 660.000 biodigesters in Africa, Asia and Latin America with multiple benefits especially for health of women, and the distribution of 85.000 solar products through private sector companies.

Providing access to energy will remain one of the key intervention sector for SNV in the years to come, as we grow our ambition to scale up existing programmes and identify the best approaches for success. "Support by the Dutch government has enabled SNV to innovate, build local capacities, grow our expertise, build new partnerships and above all to ensure access to affordable climate-smart energy for 4,5 million of low income women and men in developing countries” says Andy Wehkamp, Managing Director Renewable Energy of SNV. “Together with our local and international partners including private enterprises, we intend to contribute significantly to the ambitious goal for 2030 set by Minister Ploumen”.