Utilities are responsible for generating, transmitting, and distributing electricity, which powers homes and businesses, supporting modern economies and contributing to climate mitigation efforts. However, the majority of electric utilities in developing countries are ill-equipped to meet growing demand for power. In over 90 countries, fewer than 40 percent of utilities collect sufficient revenue to cover their annual operating and debt service costs, which is the minimum requirement for financial sustainability. Many power utilities face financial challenges, impacting energy access, reliability, affordability, and government budgets. Ensuring the financial viability of power utilities is a key focus in the M300 initiative and the National Energy Compacts.
In partnership with the Association of Power Utilities of Africa (APUA) and the Utility Knowledge Exchange (UKEP) Platform, the “Powering Sustainable Energy Utilities” Program aims at improving power utility performance to develop a sustainable power sector, secure public finance and attract concessional and private capital.
Participants to the program will:
- Formulate country-specific strategies to enhance the financial and operational efficiency of their power utilities.
- Learn strategies to improve utility performance, leading to more affordable and reliable electricity supply.
- Study examples from other countries to understand how this can reallocate public resources towards other policy priorities.
Program initiation: October 2025, TBC
Resources
- Energy
- Extractive Industries
- The Utility Knowledge Exchange (UKEP) Platform
- Sustainable Infrastructure Finance
Publications
- Energy Sector Management Assistant Program (ESMAP) publications
- Energy Knowledge Notes
- Scaling Up to Phase Down
- Global Gas Flaring Tracker Report
- Scaling Hydrogen Financing for Development
- The Energy Progress Report