More rural areas have access to electricity but still have low energy use, which is a problem for power utilities and consumers. Low energy use hinders the financial viability, operational efficiency, reliability, and future growth prospects of power utilities and threatens their ability to provide sustainable, reliable, and affordable electricity. 

Power utilities have high fixed costs associated with the construction, operation, and maintenance of power plants and transmission and distribution infrastructure. These include capital investment, staffing, fuel, and maintenance expenses. When utilization is low, the revenue generated from selling electricity may not be sufficient to cover these fixed costs, resulting in financial losses for the utility. Low energy use leads to inefficient allocation of resources where fuel or money is wasted. The utility may then need to increase electricity prices to compensate for the inefficiencies. Furthermore, if electrification investments are not viable, utilities are less motivated to expand infrastructure, which hampers economic activity in underserved communities.

Scaling Up Renewable Energy 

Through the Scaling Up Renewable Energy (SURE) program, USAID partners with power utilities and third-party providers to offer financing and payment schemes for energy-efficient and clean energy appliances that consider gender-based differences in energy needs, use, and access. Examples of productive use appliances include solar water pumps, refrigerators, electric cookers, agricultural processing units, and other products that enable income generation. 

SURE experts analyze utilities’ qualitative and quantitative data to map out electrification infrastructure, consumption patterns, payment behaviors, and other factors that affect the financial viability of electrification efforts. We conduct a baseline assessment then work with utilities or third-party providers to design a gender-sensitive demand stimulation program that encourages women to use more electricity. Our experts assist partners with program implementation and evaluation. We use mixed data collection and analysis methods to gain a deep understanding of the program’s impact on the utility and its female customers. We also use lessons learned to tailor the program and increase its scale and impact. 

Impact

Programs that are gender sensitive enable women and girls to reap the full benefits of electricity while increased use of clean energy and energy-efficient appliances expands energy utilization, optimizes power utility operations, increases power utilities’ revenue, and supports a sustainable electricity supply.  More women save time and money performing tasks like pumping water, cooking, and washing clothes by using solar-powered water pumps, electric cookers, and energy-efficient washing machines. This allows them to pursue education, participate in the workforce, or start businesses. Women’s productivity at home and in businesses increases and in turn contributes to economic growth.