ABSTRACT
Asia has a total of 543 million people without electricity access and 1.9 billion who depend on solid fuel for thermal energy use. The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 7 on affordable and clean energy presents an opportunity for governments in Asian countries and development agencies to address this challenge by 2030. It is estimated that Asian countries will require investments to the tune of US$ 394 billion to provide universal energy access. Financing universal energy access in Asia will likely prove to be a challenge in terms of resource mobilisation, business models and financing structures. The chapter examines existing financing mechanisms for energy access in Asia and considers alternatives to achieve the required scale. The chapter also showcases current best practices from Asia and elsewhere that may be used to finance universal energy access in Asia. Recommendations are also made on financing options and structures for energy access, which could help stakeholders in Asia raise resources to achieve energy access for all by 2030.
