Empowering Communities Worldwide
While significant progress has been made to expand access to electricity in undeserved, low-income communities worldwide, core challenges remain. That is why we are pioneering a groundbreaking enterprise with Tata Power called TP Renewable Microgrid, building innovative programs like Smart Power India and Smart Power Myanmar, driving progressive utility partnerships and the first project financing facility for multiple countries in Africa, and expanding access to reliable, renewable power for critical facilities in Puerto Rico.
- 840Million
people have no access to power worldwide
- 650Million
people will still be without power by 2030, at the current rate of progress
- 5/46Countries
in sub-Saharan Africa today consume above 1,000 kWh per capita, the threshold for a middle-energy economy
At The Rockefeller Foundation, we are leading the development of large-scale, innovative partnerships, crowding-in investment, and piloting breakthrough and sustainable solutions to power the last mile.
I had mostly used non-electrical tools to do the woodwork. I now use electrical machines only. I have managed to triple my earnings by taking more orders and delivering faster.
Suresh Kumar SharmaAccesses power via Tara Urja, the non-profit that operates the mini grid in Derni, Bihar, India
Our Goals
As part of our commitment to end energy poverty by 2030 we are committed to empowering 10 million people with access to reliable, renewable power by 2022.
- 6.6Million
lives impacted in India & Myanmar
- 3Million
lives impacted in Africa
- 315Thousand
lives impacted in Puerto Rico
Meet our Partners & Grantees
We are proud to bring energy to millions of people. and we look forward to empowering communities across India by creating micro enterprises and opportunities for all people.
Praveer SinhaCEO, Tata Power
Led by the Government’s outstanding efforts, India has witnessed a massive transformation. Enhancing these efforts with actions that can enable the supply of quality electricity to the last mile is an ongoing task. SPI has been constantly striving to innovate and test solutions to enable quality and reliable access to its customers.
Jaideep MukherjiCEO, Smart Power India
We believe in creating innovative solutions that are scalable, affordable and can quickly be deployed to address the urgent need to end energy poverty. The Utilities 2.0 partnership provides us an opportunity to pilot and learn, with a view of future rollout to drive household access from the current 25% to 60% by 2027.
Selestino BabungiManaging Director and CEO, Umeme
Project finance is an established way to finance large infrastructure projects, but this is the first time it has been applied to rural mini-grids in Africa. We believe that this is key to unlocking more than $11 billion dollars for mini-grids needed from investors to connect at least 100 million people to power.
Gabriel DaviesHead of Energy Access, CrossBoundary
Beyond fixing energy issues, there is a lot more that needs to be done to help Indian communities. TPRMG will look to leverage the infrastructure that it establishes for its microgrid business by also offering potable water to the communities it supplies.
Manoj GuptaCEO, TP Renewable Microgrid
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Tata Power and The Rockefeller Foundation Announce Breakthrough Enterprise to Empower Millions of Indians with Renewable Microgrid Electricity
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Recent Updates
Transforming the Power System in Energy-Poor Countries
The world has long been at loggerheads over how to move forward most aggressively to combat energy poverty while also avoiding a looming climate crisis. The gathering of world leaders at COP26 presents a unique opportunity to address these twin energy challenges. By 2030, the cost of renewables will undercut fossil fuels almost everywhere. These […]
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