USAID Energy

Powering economic and social development through affordable, reliable, and sustainable modern energy services.

Environment, Energy, and Infrastructure

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A smiling female renewable energy engineer stands in front of the large turbines on a wind farm.

Billions of people around the world lack access to clean and reliable energy sources. Energy sector reforms improve access and efficiency while reducing emissions and costs, powering development.

Featured Resource

Expanding Opportunities for U.S. Energy Companies Abroad

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Aerial photo of a wind farm. A line of large wind turbines stretch into the distance along a green ridge against a blue sky filled with white clouds. The wind farm's power transmission facility can be seen in the center of the ridge.

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USAID is catalyzing a huge market opportunity for the U.S. private sector by expanding markets for clean energy technology and services abroad—and in turn, boosting the economy and driving U.S. job growth.

Expanding Opportunities for U.S. Energy Companies Abroad

USAID is catalyzing a huge market opportunity for the U.S. private sector by expanding markets for clean energy technology and services abroad—and in turn, boosting the economy and driving U.S. job growth.

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While more than a billion people have gained access to electricity since 2010, and prices for clean energy technology have fallen dramatically in recent years, more than 675 million people worldwide still lacked access as of 2021, and many more suffer from poor service quality, including frequent and long power outages.

Today, many developing countries are in the process of creating policy, legal and regulatory frameworks necessary to attract private investment in clean energy, increase energy efficiency, and expand access. USAID works with these countries across all aspects of the energy sector to build strong systems that can power global economic and social development.

Recent Content

Energy Sector Photo Contest 2024

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Windmills

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USAID’s energy programs help countries build reliable and resilient energy systems that are widely accessible and affordable. We work across all aspects of the energy sector to fuel global prosperity by building critical skills among partners, strengthening institutions, and facilitating investment in technology and infrastructure.

A Learning Agenda for USAID Energy Programs

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A female Egbin Power engineer performs an equipment check in the generation station

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As part of the Evidence and Learning Framework for Energy, this Learning Agenda identifies priority questions concerning USAID energy programming, how those questions might be answered, and how those answers can be disseminated.

solar photovoltaic arrays and a wind turbine against a blue sky

Integrating Environmental Protection and Social Inclusion when Designing and Implementing Energy Infrastructure Projects

BIODIVERSITYLINKS.ORG – This report highlights the state of knowledge on interactions between energy infrastructure and the environment. Governments, regulators, and utilities are investing in new infrastructure to meet growing energy needs, but many projects fail to adequately consider broader environmental and social sustainability goals.

Energy Stories

A smiling woman engineer in the foreground of a hilltop with several wind turbines

USAID’s Climate Work: FY 2023 Year in Review

ARCGIS STORYMAPS – In FY 2023, USAID supported our partners to prevent 295 million tons of greenhouse gas emissions, help over 60 countries build resilience to climate impacts, conserve 82 million hectares of tropical rainforests, and mobilize $16.7 billion in climate finance.
A man walks through a garbage dump—a sack slung over his shoulder in one hand, a bundle of wire in the other—salvaging waste with residual value.

How a Circular Economy Can Cut Greenhouse Gas Emissions by One-Third

CLIMATELINKS.ORG – USAID has a unique and timely opportunity to help reshape the renewable energy ecosystem and promote a circular economy approach to renewable energy, plastics, and other sectors.
Two technicians examine solar panels

Accelerating the Clean Energy Transition Through Auctions

ARCGIS STORYMAPS – View data on USAID-supported renewable energy auctions worldwide and learn how partner countries use auctions to achieve sustainable cost reductions, reduce emissions, and increase energy security.
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Programs & Initiatives

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Representatives from Orb Energy in India prepare solar panels for installation

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Featured programs from USAID’s Energy portfolio

Training and Field Support Toolkits

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Wind farm on the island of Maui, Hawaii

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Customized toolkits gather information, resources and tools to help users understand complex global energy problems and design programs to effectively address them.

Featured Resources

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Photo of solar panels on a sunny green hillside shore

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USAID’s energy resources provide thought leadership, sector analysis and technical guidance for development professionals, implementers and policymakers.

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