Promoting Access to Modern Energy Sources in Small Island Developing States

Abstract

Energy is the mainstay of today’s economy in the developed world, in the rapidly industrializing developing world, and in other parts of the world. Such is its importance to the modern economy that energy security has been linked to national security. Yet one in five people in the world today has no access to electricity, and there are large inequalities in per capita electricity consumption across countries. Regions which are most affected by energy poverty are small island developing states, sub-Saharan Africa, and developing Asia. Such inequalities often have their roots in history, but some crucial questions arise: Is the global energy economy being collectively managed in an effective way that is steering us towards greater energy security for all? Is the global governance framework for energy security comprehensive and inclusive?

Keywords: energy security, energy access, energy equality, modern energy sources, small island developing states

JEL Classification: N76, N77, Q41, Q43