News

A new ESMAP-funded open source tool for geospatial electrification planning is now available on ENERGYDATA.INFO as a free resource for energy sector stakeholders. The first of its kind, the Electrification Pathways application builds on a state-of-the-art geospatial modelling algorithm to provide countries with a ‘first pass’ rapid planning tool informing universal electricity access strategies.

The algorithm incorporates ESMAP’s Multi-tier Framework, the new approach to defining, measuring, as well as monitoring and evaluating energy access, and the open source tool aims to drastically speed up electrification planning and reduce its costs.

The application launches with data on three countries—Tanzania, Zambia, and Nigeria—and can be adapted for more. It has already been used in Zambia to inform and accelerate the preparation of the World Bank Zambia Electricity Service Access Project, as well as by off-grid energy companies in Tanzania to identify market potential. The tool results also were validated in Nigeria.

This work was funded through the ESMAP SEforALL Technical Assistance Facility and developed in partnership with KTH University under the Nigeria Electrification Access Program Development project.

Tool: http://electrification.energydata.info/presentation/

Blog: http://blogs.worldbank.org/energy/electrification-planning-made-easier-new-open-source-tool

Press Release: http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/press-release/2017/07/20/new-open-source-tool-a-breakthrough-in-electrification-planning

Webinar (training video): https://www.youtube.com/user/cleanenergypolicy