Electricity Governance Initiative
A unique network of civil society organizations dedicated to promoting transparent, inclusive and accountable decision-making in the electricity sector.
Globally, more than 1.3 billion people still lack access to the electricity they need to raise their standard of living. As countries work to increase energy access and eliminate poverty, it is critical that the social, environmental, and economic importance of the electricity sector are considered. Decisions about how to generate, deliver and pay for electricity have a profound effect on people’s lives. Who gets electricity and at what price? What role should the private sector play in expanding generation and delivery? What is the right mix of technologies to meet growing demand for electricity, from conventional fuels to wind, solar and other renewables? How should the need for affordable energy be balanced against responses to climate change? Transparent and inclusive decision making processes are key in ensuring that electricity policies are aligned with public interest. By strengthening electricity governance, countries can develop more equitable and sustainable electricity policies.
What is the Electricity Governance Initiative?
The Electricity Governance Initiative (EGI) is a global network of civil society organizations dedicated to promoting transparent, inclusive, and accountable decision-making in the electricity sector. EGI facilitates collaboration of civil society, policymakers, regulators, and other electricity sector actors to ensure that sector decisions reflect public interest.
National Assessments. EGI empowers civil society organizations to assess and promote improved electricity sector governance in their countries. The first step is an accurate assessment of a country’s current practices and institutions using the EGI toolkit, an indicator-based methodology that helps our in-country partners map decision-making processes in the sector. In each country, partners then produce a branded assessment report which they can use as a foundation to promote improved governance.
National Engagement. EGI assessment reports, as well as tools such as the “10 Questions to Ask About” series, the Electricity Distribution Indicator Toolkit and Open Climate Network Toolkits, create a shared language and platform that bring stakeholders together to make meaningful improvements in policy, planning and regulatory decision-making processes. EGI convenes civil society, government, utilities, the private sector, and local people to discuss new solutions to pressing problems in the electricity sector.
A Global Network of Partners. EGI links national civil society groups to a global network of partners confronting similar challenges in different parts of the world. By convening these organizations, EGI provides the opportunity for our partners to share experiences and advance collective strategies for improving governance. EGI is a learning network that responds to the evolving challenges that various stakeholders confront in the sector.
Global Engagement on Electricity Policy. Drawing on the work of in-country partners, EGI works to provide a global analysis of electricity trends. As a result of growing concerns over energy security, energy shortages, environmental aspects and climate change, grid planning is expected to see a paradigm shift worldwide in the coming decades. EGI works with a global network of research partners and is undertaking a global study to identify the trends, impacts, threats and opportunities such a paradigm shift will have on the grid and the electricity sector as a whole. EGI also works with multilateral initiatives such as Sustainable Energy for All on electricity access in developing countries and around the world.