More than 500 leading renewable energy experts are taking part in the third International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference (IOREC) which opened yesterday (September 30) in Nairobi, Kenya.

Organised by the International Renewable Energy Agency (Irena), the two-day conference aims to boost electricity access through the development of off-grid renewables.

Today, roughly 15 per cent of the world’s population lives without electricity, but off-grid solutions can provide an estimated 60 per cent of the additional generation needed to achieve universal access.

“Access to electricity is a central building block for socio-economic development. It empowers communities to increase income and productivity, gain access to healthcare and education, enhance water and food security, and improve general well-being,” said Irena director-general Adnan Z. Amin.

"Thankfully, a confluence of factors including cost declines and technology innovations, are making it more possible than ever to achieve universal electricity access through off-grid renewables," stated Amin.

Speaking at the opening session, cabinet secretary Charles Keter of the Kenya Ministry of Energy and Petroleum detailed the many examples of standalone and mini-grid renewable energy systems in place and under development throughout the country.

"Kenya is committed to ensuring universal access to energy by 2020. This will be achieved through exploitation of the locally available energy sources including off-grid solutions," said cabinet secretary  Charles Keter, adding that his country welcomes private sector players both locally and internationally to invest in the country's energy sector.

To further support the proliferation of off-grid renewables, three new reports will be released during the event, he added.-TradeArabia News Service