Prioritisation of clean energy interventions in Sub-Saharan Africa: A geospatial multi-criteria decision support tool

Abstract

Over 570 million people across Sub-Saharan Africa in 2022 lack access to clean energy, a stark contradiction given the continent's considerable untapped potential for renewable resources. This discrepancy results from historical underinvestment in the energy sector. In response to this challenge, this paper contributes to the advancement of sustainable energy in Sub-Saharan Africa, aiding the shift toward a low-carbon transition future. We introduce the Clean Energy Access Prioritiser, an open-source tool designed to guide decision-making for clean energy interventions and investments. The tool, which operates as a web-based, multi-criteria platform, facilitates the identification of feasible areas by integrating environmental, climate-related, and socio-economic factors. The Clean Energy Access Prioritiser allows stakeholders to identify priority areas for clean energy projects through an integrated spatial planning approach. It combines a suite of 25 variables to evaluate areas most and least suitable for investment—hot and cold spots—based on user-defined priorities, using a 5 km grid. As an instrument for strategic planning, the Clean Energy Access Prioritiser holds value for a range of actors involved in energy development. Institutional and private entities, including policymakers, international donors, government agencies, and philanthropic investors, stand to benefit from its data-driven insights. By leveraging this tool, stakeholders can make informed decisions that align with sustainable energy goals and promote the equitable distribution of clean energy resources across Sub-Saharan Africa.