I recently came across a good article in Forbes by Wood Mackenzie about how off-grid energy access is shaping the energy transition. To share some of the highlights:

Off-grid populations (namely those in rural, remote, or developing areas) is going to be a huge story as the energy transition takes hold-- both in a humanitarian sense as well as a business sense. The most affordable option may likely be providing them energy in an off-grid manner, rather than building the grid out to them.

Why is this such a big story? Almost 1 billion people still don't have access to electricity, and population growth is expected to outpace new connections in many of these regions

people still don't have access to electricity, and population growth is expected to outpace new connections in many of these regions By the numbers: "Between 2010 and 2017, over 400 million people globally gained access to electricity from off-grid solar solutions, and by 2030, an estimated 71% of new electricity connections will be provided via off-grid or mini-grid solutions"

So, while traditionally a sign of the development of countries and regions has been their ability to electrify and connect to traditional grid systems, the trends today and moving forward look to be taking advantage of technologies like renewable energy, distributed energy resources, and energy storage. In this way, electrification can happen in these areas more rapidly and in a more modular sense.

What do you think? Is pushing off-grid the right solution for populations currently without power? Should it be done in conjunction with a wider plan to connect the grid to them? Which should take priority?

Please leave your thoughts in the comments below!