A joint report by the International Energy Agency and the United Nations revealed a significant decline in access to electricity globally, as the number of people deprived of this basic service increased for the first time in a decade.

This report, released annually, shows that 685 million people did not have access to electricity in 2022, 10 million more than in 2021.

This increase is due to population growth exceeding the pace of new electricity connections amid multiple challenges such as the energy crisis, rising inflation, and geopolitical tensions.

The report notes that the COVID-19 pandemic and rising energy prices—resulting from the war in Ukraine, instability in the Middle East, and worsening droughts and floods in sub-Saharan Africa—have all contributed to this rollback of progress in the field of household electrification.

On the other hand, 2.1 billion people still rely on unhealthy cooking systems powered by coal, manure, wood, or agricultural waste, almost the same number as in 2021.
The fumes emitted by these practices cause 3.2 million premature deaths every year. Despite these challenges, the report highlights the strong growth of renewable energy sources, especially wind and solar energy.

Wind and solar energy production reached a new record high in 2022, with an average of 424 watts per capita, and global consumption of renewable electricity increased by more than 6% compared to 2021, reaching 28.2% of total electricity consumption.

Financial assistance for low-carbon energy in developing countries also increased in 2022 to reach 15.4 billion dollars, up 25% from 2021.

The report warns that the world is still far from achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals related to energy by 2030, which require tripling the capacity to produce renewable energy.

If current policies continue, 660 million people will remain without electricity in 2030, of which 85% are in Sub-Saharan Africa, while about 1.8 billion people will remain dependent on harmful cooking systems.