Blog

With clean energy, Pact supports resilient communities around the world

January 23, 2025
Solar panels in Myanmar
A solar mini grid in Myanmar. Credit: Pact

As the world observes the International Day of Clean Energy, we are reminded of the critical role that renewable energy plays in creating resilient systems that empower communities to thrive in the face of global challenges. From mitigating climate impacts to improving public health and economic opportunity, clean energy solutions are a cornerstone of sustainable development. 

At Pact, we have dedicated our efforts to advancing distributed renewable energy and productive use of renewable energy solutions for critical health care systems and sustainable livelihoods that transform lives, foster resilience, drive inclusive progress, and contribute to a just transition to clean energy.

Resilient health systems: Powering essential services
Bridging the health-energy gap is a significant challenge in many communities around the world. Millions of health care facilities lack the reliable, affordable energy needed to deliver essential services like maternal care, vaccine storage, and emergency treatment. Power outages in underserved regions compromise patient outcomes, particularly during critical care moments.

The solution is climate resilience planning and the electrification of health care infrastructure. Pact does this in several ways: 

  • Climate Vulnerability Assessment and Planning (CVAP): This participatory, needs-based approach supports comprehensive climate resilience planning and implementation for critical energy and health systems. To support local communities in improving climate resilience, the CVAP ensures that climate risks and impacts are identified and prioritized, vulnerabilities are assessed and measured, and mitigation and adaptation processes are inclusively designed and implemented.
  • Integrated energy solutions: We design and deploy renewable energy systems tailored to the unique needs of health facilities, such as solar-powered refrigeration, diagnostic tools, and lighting.
  • Capacity building: We equip health workers and facility managers with the skills to maintain and optimize renewable energy systems.
  • Community-driven models: We collaborate with local stakeholders to ensure long-term sustainability through community ownership and governance mechanisms like Village Electrification Committees (VECs).

This has the power to transform health systems, as we have seen in communities around the world. In Myanmar, solarizing rural clinics through the Smart Power Myanmar (SPM) initiative improved vaccine refrigeration and emergency care, enabling consistent delivery of essential health services to underserved communities. The initiative’s success demonstrates how renewable energy can enhance health care outcomes even in remote regions.

In Nigeria, under the State Accountability and Quality Improvement Project (SAQIP), solar-powered solutions enabled 24-hour operations in 30 healthcare facilities, significantly reducing maternal and neonatal mortality. By equipping these facilities with clean energy, the project not only improved health outcomes but also resilience during power outages and emergencies.

In Tanzania, the Pact-led Kizazi Kipya project trained female caregivers as solar home system sales agents, linking energy access with better health care outcomes. This approach empowered caregivers economically while ensuring reliable energy access for vulnerable households and local health facilities.

Resilient livelihoods: Energy for economic empowerment
Economic vulnerability that results from energy poverty is another significant global challenge. Energy poverty limits the ability of small-scale industries and enterprises to sustain operations, adapt to shocks, and innovate. Communities in agriculture, fisheries, and small-scale industries face barriers to productivity and market access without reliable energy.

Pact is delivering several solutions, including:

  • Productive use applications: We introduce renewable energy to enable activities like solar-powered irrigation, fish processing and drying, and small-scale manufacturing.
  • Access to financing: We develop innovative financing models, including revolving loan funds and catalytic financing, to make renewable energy accessible to MSMEs.
  • Market enablement: We build connections between stakeholders—such as mini-grid developers, equipment manufacturers, and businesses—to unlock economic opportunities.

The impact is nothing short of livelihoods reimagined. In Malawi, solar-powered fish processing introduced through community partnerships increased incomes for fisherfolk while reducing reliance on environmentally destructive methods like traditional wood drying. This transition not only improved livelihoods but also supported environmental conservation by reducing deforestation.

In Myanmar, Pact’s Yaung Chi project electrified rural communities and supported more than 100 MSMEs to transition to cleaner energy solutions, boosting productivity and fostering job creation. The initiative also included vocational training and capacity strengthening, ensuring that local businesses could sustainably integrate renewable energy into their operations.

In Nigeria, our Productive Use and Demand Stimulation (PUDS) project strengthened rural economic development by helping micro-enterprises transition from diesel to electric motors. This shift increased local economic activity, reduced energy costs, and improved the environmental footprint of these enterprises. These projects demonstrate the broad socio-economic benefits of renewable energy, fostering resilience and economic empowerment in vulnerable communities.

A forward-looking vision
Globally, we have a long way to go before all people are able to enjoy reliable, affordable power. Pact’s approach to achieving this is multifaceted:

  • Implement comprehensive climate resilience planning: Through our bespoke CVAP advisory service, we help local communities, businesses, and governments identify and address climate risks. By employing participatory and data-driven approaches, the CVAP ensures that climate vulnerabilities are assessed and prioritized, and that effective mitigation and adaptation measures are designed and implemented.
  • Expand clean energy in healthcare: We are extending applications of renewable energy in health care facilities to ensure uninterrupted, high-quality care. This includes scaling solar-powered refrigeration, diagnostic tools, and lighting solutions while continuing to enhance facility resilience to climate impacts.
  • Foster economic resilience: We are empowering MSMEs and industries to transition to renewable energy through tailored financing models, capacity strengthening, and partnerships. By promoting productive use applications, we will drive economic growth, reduce costs, and support innovation in underserved communities.
  • Address climate challenges: We are aligning with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals to tackle climate impacts and energy inequality. Our work will emphasize scalable, inclusive energy solutions that mitigate environmental impact across sectors.

Building resilience through renewable energy requires collective action. As we celebrate the International Day of Clean Energy, we reaffirm our commitment to transformative, inclusive, and sustainable solutions for empowered communities.