The Energy for Growth Hub (EGH) has proposed a new indicator to measure energy access. The Modern Energy Minimum sets an energy access target of 1,000 kWh per person annually. EGH argues that the Modern Energy Minimum metric is a more ambitious energy target that reflects historical trends and development aspirations and will lead to improved employment, higher incomes, prosperity, and economic transformation.
This 1,000kWh MEM comprises household (300kWh) and non-household electricity consumption (700kWh). For instance, using the MEM target, an unelectrified off-grid community of 5,000 people will need a mini-grid system of at least 571kW (171kW dedicated to household consumption and 400kW dedicated to larger community consumption) to sufficiently provide the energy needed to increase the community’s economic productivity and income.
EGH believes that the current International Energy Agency (IEA) global standard for measuring energy access is inadequate. The standard puts energy access as when individual household annual electricity consumption reaches 50 kWh per person in rural areas and 100 kWh in urban areas. This energy level, EGH says, can only power a couple of lightbulbs for a few hours daily, charge a mobile phone, and occasionally run a small fan. To achieve economic development and improve incomes, we have to set our sights higher.
Read more on the Modern Energy Minimum here.