Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South - One Year On

In a year defined by accelerating clean energy ambitions and growing geopolitical competition for resources, a transformative initiative has been taking shape across the Global South. The Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South—launched in mid-2024 by Sustainable Energy for All, Global South Centre for Clean Transportation, UC Davis, and Swaniti Global—was born from a simple but urgent premise: the developing countries, whether resource-rich or dependent, must have a more defining voice and role in global supply chains for energy transition technologies to ensure a just energy transition. In its first year, the Council has deepened engagements with governments, produced strategic research, convened over a dozen closed-door and public forums, and built action-oriented coalitions across continents. Together, they are reshaping how the Global South navigates its mineral future aligned with principles of equity and justice as emphasized by the United Nations Secretary General Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals.

Over the past year, the Council has emerged as a strategic platform to facilitate collaboration and exchange between countries worldwide—not just on sustainable extraction but also local beneficiation, manufacturing, trade, and equitable community benefits sharing. Countries are increasingly viewing the energy transition as a generational opportunity to build domestic industry, create jobs, and advance industrialization goals.

The Council’s first convening in July 2024 opened with a critical question: How can mineral development deliver long-term benefits for local communities? Experts from India, Brazil, and South Africa explored models for Community Benefit Agreements (CBAs). The roundtable highlighted the need for social infrastructure investment, going beyond compensation, and mitigation of long-term socioeconomic dependency on mining. Participants underscored that local communities must be partners in development—not passive recipients—to ensure the success and equitable development of these projects.

Momentum continued in September 2024, when the Council co-hosted a roundtable in Indonesia with the KADIN Net Zero Hub, focused on strengthening ASEAN green value chains for energy transition technologies. Discussions centered on how industrial clusters and Special Economic Zones could serve as platforms for building regional value chains and facilitating intra-ASEAN trade—from mineral extraction and processing to end-use products like batteries and electric vehicles. The discussions served as the basis for a deeper engagement beginning January 2025 on developing an ASEAN critical minerals demand-supply assessment analysis in support of key regional frameworks, including the ASEAN Carbon Neutrality Strategy, and the under development ASEAN Minerals Development Vision. 

Later that month, the Council hosted a high-level roundtable at the UN General Assembly 2024 with the Africa Program of the Carnegie Endowment for International Peace. The session convened Ministers from Nigeria, Ghana, and Malawi, alongside heads of financing institutions, UN agencies, and development partners. The roundtable identified gaps in data, tools, capacities, and policy frameworks that currently limit critical minerals development in the Global South and potential solutions. The discussion anticipated recommendations from the UN Secretary-General’s Panel on Critical Energy Transition Minerals. Alongside the high-level roundtable, the Council engaged with the Africa Minerals Strategy Group - an intergovernmental organization representing 16 African countries with the goal of promoting exploration, extraction, production, local beneficiation and commercialization to ensure a sustainable, transparent and secure supply of critical minerals.

The Council strengthened its south-south engagement activities hosting a public webinar Mineral Edge to Economic Boost in October 2024. Speakers from India, Brazil, and South Africa highlighted that while many critical minerals are found in the Global South, the majority of processing, manufacturing, and market power remains concentrated in the Global North. Discussants emphasized that without industrial policy, South–South cooperation, and strategic investment, mineral-rich countries risk remaining locked into low-value extraction. It explored specific areas of collaborations where action is needed to address pertaining barriers and what lessons are emerging from the Global South countries.

At COP29 in November 2024, the Council supported a private roundtable convened by Swaniti Global and the India Climate Collaborative. The focus was on cooperation between Brazil, India, and South Africa to develop local mineral value chains and implementation of ESG standards. Participants discussed how Global South countries can balance resource extraction with social equity and regional economic goals as they face similar constraints in investment, capacity, and trade.

In February 2025, the Council hosted two panels at Mining Indaba in South Africa, marking a milestone in engagement in key African policy forums. The first panel focused on how governments can enable mineral value chain development and the importance of south-south collaboration, featuring high-level decision makers from the Ministry of Solid Minerals Development, Nigeria and the Ministry of Mines, India. The second addressed what it would take to scale midstream and downstream investment, including insights from multilateral development banks, private equity, and industry leaders.

At Mining Indaba, the Council also shared an update with the Nigerian Minister for Solid Minerals Development on the national critical minerals demand-supply assessment being undertaken by the Council, which will highlight opportunities for Nigeria in the value chains of energy transition technologies such as batteries.

Building on its country-level data and analytics, the Council completed its minerals demand-supply assessment analysis for India, led by the UC Davis’s India ZEV Research Centre, with a deep-dive on lithium. Coming in the backdrop of the recently launched National Critical Minerals Mission, the study provides strategic inputs to the government on securing minerals supply chains and the role of south-south cooperation in advancing local value. In May 2025, the Council and the Indian Ministry of Mines hosted a closed-door roundtable in New Delhi focused on “Securing India’s Clean Energy Supply Chains: Upstream Lithium Sourcing Strategies for India”.

The session outlined a structured approach for India to build supply resilience through asset acquisition, strategic international cooperation, and the expansion of domestic recycling. Officials from India’s Ministry of Mines, National Security Council Secretariat, and NITI Aayog joined representatives from Australia, Argentina, the Netherlands, and the United States.

At the heart of the Council’s work is a commitment to evidence-based decision-making. Over the past year, it has produced a growing body of analysis to inform policy and guide implementation. A forthcoming report, led by Swaniti Global on behalf of the Council, examines how Community Development Agreements can serve as vehicles for domestic investments in infrastructure, jobs, and governance. A comparative brief Transition Minerals in South Africa, Brazil, and India: A Brief on Current Value Chains and Strategic Priorities analyzes the current state of critical mineral value chains in South Africa, Brazil, and India, identifying national strategies, gaps, and opportunities for collaboration among Global South countries. These insights are further consolidated in the Council’s Roadmap for South–South Collaboration, which outlines five priority areas for joint action: investment platforms, workforce development, regional R&D, interoperable ESG standards, and coordinated trade policy. Together, these publications form a strategic foundation already in-use by stakeholders that are exploring regional partnerships and cross-border initiatives.

As the world accelerates toward net-zero, demand for key energy transition minerals is set to skyrocket—lithium by nearly 12×, with strong growth projected for cobalt, graphite, nickel, and rare earth elements. This projected surge, based on the IEA's net-zero scenario, underscores the urgent need for investment in mineral value chains. For mineral-rich Global South countries, this is not just a supply challenge—it is an opportunity to lead across these value chains via sustainable, locally anchored development.

Governments and industry in the U.S., EU, and China are realizing national strategies to secure supply access. If Global South producers are to shape global markets, coordination is no longer optional—it’s essential. Africa alone holds over 30% of the world’s critical mineral reserves, including 70% of global cobalt and 85% of manganese; yet, the continent holds just a fraction of processing capacity^[1]. Without bold policy and regional cooperation, the Global South could miss out on an estimated $1.5 trillion in downstream value by 2040^[2].

In that landscape, the Council’s model stands out. It not only brings stakeholders together—it helps build the tools, data, and analyses needed to chart a new path. One year in, the Council is proving that critical minerals can power not just the clean energy transition, but a fairer global economy.

One year in, the Council is already demonstrating that the Global South can lead not only in supplying minerals—but in defining how they are produced, by whom, and to what end.

You can learn more about the Council for Critical Minerals Development in the Global South here.
You can access the publications here.

^[1] African Development Bank, Africa Natural Resources Center Annual Report, 2024.

^[2] UNCTAD, From Extraction to Transformation: Unlocking Value in the Global South’s Mineral Sector, 2023.

Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – 22 July 2025 – Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL), the World Food Programme (WFP), in partnership with the Government of Tanzania, with support from UKAid - Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS)launched the Kibasila eCooking Model Kitchen. The pilot school, Kibasila Primary School, has been successfully equipped and refurbished with modern cooking systems, laying the groundwork for scale-up across other schools in Tanzania. 

The unveiling of the Kibasila eCooking Model Kitchen marked the inauguration of the Accelerating Clean Cooking Transition in Schools in Tanzania initiative, a bold step forward in tackling the health, gender and environmental impacts of traditional cooking methods often used in school meal programs.

Kibasila Primary School is the first to be fully equipped and refurbished with modern electric cooking infrastructure under the partnership initiative, piloting in Tanzania. It sets the precedent for the roll-out of clean cooking technology in up to 50 government schools across Tanzania in 2025.

The newly equipped kitchen features a set of electric pressure cookers (EPCs) - including one 45-litre EPC, two 65-litre EPCs, and one 80-litre EPC - allowing for faster, cleaner, and more energy-efficient meal preparation. The retrofit also included comprehensive infrastructure upgrades such as the installation of a new electricity meter with proper grounding, complete re-wiring to support high-efficiency appliances, a water connection, and significant enhancements to hygiene and safety. The cooking space now features tiled floors and walls, two countertops, two sinks, new lighting, and four ceiling fans to ensure a comfortable working environment. The adjacent storage room was also refurbished to allow for both cooling and safe food storage.

Schools, due to the high volume of meals prepared daily, are among the largest consumers of biomass energy – second only to households. Over 400 million children around the world currently receive at least one meal a day at school. In sub-Saharan Africa, many of these meals are prepared using biomass stoves, which can place additional responsibilities on families and children, such as collecting firewood , and create an economic burden.

Transitioning to clean cooking in schools promises to deliver far-reaching health, environmental, and educational benefits. It reduces indoor air pollution, lowers greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthens school infrastructure, while also improving the health and working conditions of cooks and enabling more consistent, efficient meal delivery for students.

The successful launch of the Kibasila eCooking Model Kitchen represents a pivotal milestone in the clean cooking transition in schools, and the broader movement to ensure that every child is provided a meal that is cooked safely and reliably. As the initiative moves forward, it will not only support national policy goals on energy, climate, health, and education but also position Tanzania as a champion of clean cooking.

Quotes

“Transitioning to clean cooking requires a transformation. It begins with a change in mindset. Today at Kibasila, we are setting the springboard, where now we can jump to reach Tanzania’s national goal of 80% access by 203. We are therefore happy to collaborate with you (Sustainable Energy for All and the World Food Programme) on accelerating the clean cooking transition in schools.”

— Prof. Peter Lawrence Msoffe, Deputy Permanent Secretary, Vice President’s Office (Environment), the United Republic of Tanzania

“The UK is proud to support Tanzania’s clean cooking ambitions through our Modern Energy Cooking Services programme. Schools like Kibasila are leading the way, showing that clean, affordable, and sustainable energy is not only possible, but essential for every community.

This initiative will help transform schools into hubs of energy transition, shaping mindsets, empowering youth, and protecting both people’s health and Tanzania’s forests.

We thank Sustainable Energy for All and the World Food Programme for their innovation and drive, as well as the Government of Tanzania, school communities, and all supporting organisations and partners working alongside us on this shared journey.”

— Marianne Young, British High Commissioner to Tanzania

“This is a showcase of the power of partnerships, demonstrating how electrification and clean cooking can work hand in hand using homegrown electricity to create pathways that simultaneously address energy, health, and gender equality goals. The joint initiative also delivers significant environmental benefits by protecting forests, reducing CO₂ emissions, and eliminating harmful black carbon.

Championing a future-focused approach that emphasises the critical role of youth in scaling this transformation, the program has welcomed 8 STEM trainees who will serve as future leaders in expanding clean cooking access across Tanzania.”

— Mikael Melin, Director of Partnerships and Development, SEforALL

“The Kibasila Modern eCooking kitchen showcases our vision for clean cooking in schools in Tanzania. More than a cooking space for the school, it will serve as a hands-on learning facility for schools across the country - equipping school management and cooks with skills and knowledge needed to adopt electric cooking technologies. This initiative is an important step forward in raising awareness and building capacity required to scale up clean cooking solutions across the country.”

— Ronald Tran Ba Huy, Country Director and Representative, WFP

We were honored to welcome the management of NTPC Ltd led by Mr. Gurdeep Singh, Chairman and Managing Director, as well as a delegation from the Government of India, to discuss how to accelerate India’s clean energy transition.

Last month, NTPC Limited and Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU)to collaborate on advancing NTPC’s Energy Compact Goals and broader sustainability initiatives. As part of the MoU, SEforALL will provide strategic support to NTPC in developing a comprehensive energy transition roadmap. This partnership aims to align NTPC’s long-term goals with global climate commitments, including the integration of renewable energy, decarbonization of operations, and enhancement of energy efficiency.

SEforALL, NTPC and the Government of India explored energy planning, energy efficiency, renewable energy, cooling and green industrialization that can support India’s growing demand while minimizing environmental impact. We also discussed the critical issue of data gaps to inform policy and management decisions and SEforALL committed to support NTPC and the Government of India to fill some of its data gaps.

The partnership will also focus on identifying opportunities to enhance energy efficiency across NTPC’s operations, contributing to reduced emissions and improved sustainability. Furthermore, SEforALL will assist NTPC in mobilizing investment mobilization to scale innovative pilot projects. This support will be critical in scaling NTPC’s clean energy projects and achieving its net-zero aspirations.

This collaboration marks a major milestone in NTPC’s journey toward becoming a leading sustainable energy player and reinforces India’s commitment to global climate action.

Universal access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy by 2030 (SDG7) is within reach, but only if we find ways to unlock and accelerate investments where they are needed most, fueling inclusive growth and shared prosperity.

The Tracking SDG7: Energy Progress Report 2025 unveiled this week, points to the risk of leaving millions without clean and sustainable energy. According to the report, the number of people without electricity stands at 666 million,19 million fewer than the previous year, while progress on clean cooking has largely stagnated, with roughly a quarter of the world’s population, around 2.1 billion people remaining dependent on polluting fuels and technologies.

At the same time, the report indicates that the energy transition is not progressing fast enough to accomplish international climate and development objectives. A successful global energy transition depends on where the next billion people get their electricity and how they consume this electricity. If these communities are powered by coal and diesel, and do not utilize energy efficiency measures, the climate goals of Paris and beyond will fail.

While the 2025 report highlights areas where the world is off track, it also offers a blueprint for action. Here are seven key opportunities we see for accelerating progress towards SDG7.

1.  Expand Decentralized Renewable Energy Solutions

The 2025 report shows that rural areas continue to bear the brunt of the electricity access challenge, with 84 percent of those lacking electricity living in rural communities. Moreover, the report shows that decentralized renewables are often more fit-for-purpose in remote areas. 

Therefore to close the gap,reach universal electricity access and ultimately industrialize, we see an opportunity in investing in solar home systems, mini-grids, and off-grid solutions focused on productive use for rural communities.

At SEforALL, we manage the Universal Energy Facility (UEF), which is a multi-donor results-based financing (RBF) facility designed to pool funding from various partners and ensure ongoing delivery of energy access programmes. Since its launch in 2020 with an initial capitalization of USD 8.5 million, the UEF has grown into a USD 67.3 million facility and currently operates in six Sub-Saharan African countries and provides RBF grants to developers of green mini-grids, and standalone solar systems for productive use. The solutions we promote create local jobs, improve resilience, and reduce reliance on diesel and biomass.

2.  Triple Renewable Energy Capacity

Sustained action is needed to drive the uptake of renewable energy solutions, and the 2025 report indicates that current ambitions fall short of achieving the COP28 goal to triple global renewable power capacity by 2030. The gap risks slowing the penetration of renewables and electrification in key sectors such as industry, transport, and buildings, sectors that are critical for increasing the overall share of renewable energy.

We see an opportunity to accelerate electrification and renewable energy deployment to align with the COP28 target and advance the broader energy transition outcomes envisioned. 

Emerging economies have vast potential in wind, solar, hydro, and geothermal energy. Realizing this potential requires targeted policies that improve access to financing, support technology and knowledge exchange, and build local capacity, which are key to achieving equitable energy access and sustainable economic growth.

3.  Double the Rate of Energy Efficiency Improvements

SDG7 calls for doubling the rate of global improvement in energy intensity by 2030, relative to the 1990-2010 average. Sluggish global progress in recent years means that energy intensity will have to improve by 4 percent per year on average in order to meet the original SDG 7.3 target. This is consistent with the goal of doubling the global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030 agreed on at COP28.

We see an opportunity in implementing stronger policies and incentives to scale up efficiency gains in buildings, transport, and industry. Although current improvement is only 0.8%, technical potential is high. Digital tools, smart meters and updated building codes are underused levers.

SEforALL, working with the Government of India and an ecosystem of partners - including the Bureau of Energy Efficiency of India, the Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy and the International Energy Agency - has developed a Voluntary Action Plan on doubling the global rate of energy efficiency improvement by 2030, that outlines potential measures along key pillars such as energy efficiency financing and sustainable consumption patterns, to be implemented in line with national goals and objectives.

4.  Leverage Clean Cooking as a Health and Gender Equity Solution

The 2025 report shows that roughly a quarter of the world’s population remains dependent on polluting fuels and technologies for cooking, and if current trends continue, only 78 percent of the global population will have access to clean cooking by 2030. This shortfall would leave nearly 1.8 billion people without clean cooking fuels and solutions.

We see an opportunity in mobilizing multi-sector investment into clean cooking solutions. The recent Summit on Clean Cooking in Africa shows donor interest and policy momentum. The Summit, which mobilised USD 2.2 billion in financial pledges from governments and the private sector, included a pivotal announcement by SEforALL and the World Food Programme (WFP) on an innovative partnership that will bring clean and efficient cooking solutions to schools in Africa, helping them shift away from polluting and harmful cooking methods currently used for preparing student meals.

Working with the Government of Tanzania and the UK-funded Modern Energy Cooking Services (MECS) programme, the project kicked-off in Tanzania, where the first model eCooking kitchen in Kibasila Primary School was officially inaugurated in July 2025. The initiative aims to expand to up-to 50 grid-connected primary schools. Using learnings from Tanzania, SEforALL, WFP and partners will also explore opportunities to scale the initiative globally.

5.  Expand Results-Based and Innovative Financing Models

The SDG7 Tracking Report 2025 estimates that annual investments between USD 4.2 and 4.5 trillion are needed to achieve SDG7 targets by 2030. 

We see an opportunity for sector players to deliver investment to those who are most-in-need. This can be done through reforming multilateral and bilateral lending to expand the availability of public capital; mobilizing more concessional finance, grants, and risk mitigation instruments to attract private sector capital; improving risk tolerance among donors; and enacting appropriate national policy frameworks, regulations, and reforms through integrated and rigorous planning. 

At SEforALL, we are working with the World Bank, the African Development Bank, the Rockefeller Foundation and the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet to implement Mission 300, the ambitious initiative to electrify 300 million people by 2030. To help achieve this objective, SEforALL is collaborating with partners to develop innovative financing instruments to enable private participation in local currency financing platforms with an aim to create a new pan-African local currency mechanism that will not only protect local investors from the risks associated with the volatility of currency markets, but also lays the groundwork to unlock currently unavailable sources of capital for developers across Africa. 

In March this year, together with Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA), Africa50, and International Solar Alliance (ISA), we unveiled the USD 500 million DRE Nigeria Fund, which is the first country-focused DRE fund established under the DRE Africa Platform that will develop and invest in distributed renewable projects across Africa.

6.  International Cooperation and Dialogue to Unlock Financing

International cooperation and dialogue are more critical than ever to advance energy action aligned with SDG7. 

The UN General Assembly’s decision last year to extend the UN Decade of Sustainable Energy for All to 2030 provides an important platform to mobilize a final push towards SDG7. Importantly, the review of SDG7 at the HLPF 2026 will be a unique opportunity to strengthen international cooperation on energy and its interlinkages, and to consider potential building blocks that could inform the intergovernmental discussions on a post-2030 development framework, which will be initiated at the SDG Summit 2026.

Here, we see an opportunity for the multilateral institutions, and the global community to step up efforts with bold, collaborative action to unlock the trillions sitting in global financial markets and channel them toward the world’s most underserved.

7.  Harness Digital and Data Technologies

The 2025 report shows that improved data on energy access gaps, cooking usage, and performance can sharpen policy and funding.

We see an opportunity to deploy digital platforms, satellite mapping, and smart meters to better target interventions. Further, open data tools (like those highlighted in the 2025 report) enhance transparency and accountability.

At SEforALL, we believe that integrating AI in the energy sector planning and evidence – especially for developing countries, will go a long way in designing comprehensive solutions for many of the developmental challenges currently facing those in developing countries. In collaboration with IBM, we developed the Open Building Insights (OBI) Tool, which is helping energy planners overcome critical data gap challenges to inform energy access and energy transition interventions and better deliver results for those most in need.

The global community has the tools, finance models, and technology to make SDG7 achievable by 2030. The seven opportunities that we have highlighted, if acted upon now, can deliver huge co-benefits for development, climate, health, and jobs.

Read the Tracking SDG7: Energy Progress Report 2025: https://trackingsdg7.esmap.org/downloads

Photo credit: P. Vasic/UN DESA

As the largest economy in Southeast Asia and one of the region’s top emitters, Indonesia sits at the heart of the global energy transition. Its choices today will shape not only its domestic development but also climate outcomes across the Global South. In 2024, Indonesia made its ambitions clear by launching a bold national Energy Compact—outlining a pathway to affordable, reliable, and sustainable energy in alignment with Sustainable Development Goal 7. Now, the Energy Compact Action Network (ECAN) is helping make that vision a reality.

Launched in 2022, ECAN serves as a global platform to match offers of support with requests for support, facilitating the implementation of Energy Compact commitments. It provides technical assistance, fosters partnerships, and monitors progress to ensure accountability and continuous improvement. Its recent work in Indonesia illustrates how this platform can accelerate systemic change—through convening, matchmaking, and results-based action.

We were honoured to welcome the UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina J. Mohammed to SEforALL’s headquarters in Vienna. Her visit was a powerful affirmation of both the urgency and the opportunity in achieving SDG7. Her words underscored the vital role SEforALL plays within the UN system and reinforced the importance of aligning climate action with national development—a mission that drives our support to countries designing inclusive, data-driven energy transitions.

Photo credits:  UNIS Vienna

The seventh edition of the London Climate Action Week (LCAW25) taking place in London, UK, from 21 to 29 June 2025, is a pivotal opportunity to accelerate global climate action on the path to COP30.

As climate change becomes more central to increasingly complex geopolitics, trade, security and bilateral relations, LCAW has become a pre-eminent forum to discuss and shape the global conversation on the politics and practicalities of climate action.

Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) will use LCAW25 to advocate for greater action and investments to close energy access gaps, increase commitments on just energy transitions and accelerate clean energy development. To achieve our objectives, we will showcase innovative solutions such as the Energy Compacts championed by UN Energy and SEforALL.

A key focus of LCAW25 is demonstrating the “whole of society” engagement needed to support delivery of deep decarbonisation and resilience. We will showcase ambition, engage the right partners to leverage innovative financing solutions to bridge the energy access gap, and amplify the call to action on Mission 300, the ambitious effort to electrify 300 million Africans by 2030.

Led by SEforALL's CEO Damilola Ogunbiyi, our team will be participating in several key sessions at LCAW25, sharing our expertise and advancing partnerships, including the Energy Tech Summit, Unlocking High Integrity Demand for Carbon Credits government-led event, and the PPCA Coal to Clean Transition event, among many others.

For all press inquiries, interviews or other editorial questions contact:
Sherry Kennedy, Communications Director, SEforALL 
email sherry.kennedy@seforall.org

As India advances on its path toward a clean energy future, Demand Flexibility is rapidly gaining recognition as a key enabler in balancing rising electricity demand and integrating higher shares of renewable energy. Demand flexibility is the ability to shift or adjust electricity use by consumers to reduce pressure on the grid during peak times and to better align consumption with periods when renewable energy is most available.

Amid this transition, collaborative efforts among regulators, distribution companies, think tanks, and implementation partners are proving vital to unlocking Demand Flexibility’s full potential. Sustainable Energy for All (SEforALL) is contributing to this ecosystem by supporting state authorities and distribution companies in four states to help design and implement DF initiatives, aiming to unlock 2–3 GW of flexible demand by 2026.

The recent Demand Flexibility Interactive Forum organized by Alliance for an Energy Efficient Economy (AEEE) and Collaborative Labeling and Appliance Standards Program (CLASP) and several knowledge partners including SEforALL, marked a major milestone, bringing together diverse stakeholders to showcase early progress, identify practical challenges, and reaffirm the need for coordinated strategies to scale Demand Flexibility nationwide. Key themes included regulatory innovation, data-driven planning, and consumer-centric program design.

Building the Regulatory Foundation

The regulatory ecosystem for Demand Flexibility is strengthening. The Maharashtra Electricity Regulatory Commission (MERC), for example, has taken a pioneering step by notifying Demand Flexibility and Demand Side Management Regulations, 2024.

The regulations introduce a Demand Flexibility Portfolio Obligation, requiring distribution licensees to achieve flexibility equivalent to 1.5% of their peak demand in the first year, progressively increasing to 3.5% by the fifth year. To ensure compliance, a performance-based incentive/disincentive framework of INR 2 million per MW is also provided.

With detailed provisions for Cost Effectiveness Assessment tests and Evaluation, Measurement & Verification framework, the MERC regulation provides a strong model for mainstreaming demand flexibility into the state's power sector planning and acting as a blueprint for the other states to follow suit.

Addressing the Full Spectrum of Demand Flexibility Solutions

Demand Flexibility opportunities span across a spectrum of two customer segment types – bulk consumers such as commercial battery energy storage systems (BESS), public water works, electric buses, etc., who have large loads but are few in number; and disaggregated consumers, such as residential air conditioners (ACs), who individually have small loads but collectively offer significant potential when aggregated.

In Delhi, BSES Rajdhani has demonstrated Demand Flexibility's commercial viability through India's first grid-scale commercial BESS. This installation showcases three key value propositions: energy arbitrage (storing cheap off-peak power for use during expensive peak periods), ancillary services for grid stabilization, and capital expenditure deferral by reducing peak demand. Similarly, strong cost-benefit studies will be critical to securing broader regulatory support for Demand Flexibility programs.

Another successful example comes from Tata Power’s Demand Flexibility Pilot at the Bhandup water pumping station with Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. Over a 23-day trial, Tata Power successfully shifted 345 kW for three hours daily. Building on this, Tata Power has identified 50 water pumping stations with demand flexibility potential, targeting a 50 MW monthly shift.

On the disaggregated consumer side, residential ACs represent a major opportunity. According to a study by CLASP, peak demand savings from ACs alone could reach 8-10 GW by 2030 in India. With the largest growth in AC adoption still ahead, developing standards for manufacturing IoT-integrated and demand-response-ready ACs is critical. Such efforts are essential to build confidence across the ecosystem — among manufacturers, distribution companies, and consumers — to ensure that automated AC demand response programs are trusted, scalable, and effective.

National Coordination: Building a Platform for Scaling

Recognizing the importance of national coordination, Energy Efficiency Services Limited, Central Electricity Authority, and Bureau of Energy Efficiency have joined forces to build a National Platform for Demand Flexibility, supported by a newly formed steering committee.

This coordinated effort reflects a growing consensus: that scaling demand flexibility requires more than isolated pilots—it demands a national architecture that aligns policy, technology, and market signals. This platform aims to standardize program designs, aggregate demand flexibility opportunities across states, and harmonize regulatory and market mechanisms.

Data as a Key Enabler to Scaling Demand Flexibility Programmes

A major roadblock persists: the lack of accurate, granular data. Without robust data, it is difficult to identify flexibility potential by consumer segment, set realistic Demand Flexibility targets in state-level regulations, and tailor programs to maximize participation and cost-effectiveness.

Bridging this data gap is critical to moving from proof-of-concept pilots to mainstream adoption. It will require investments in data infrastructure, transparent access protocols, and cooperation between distribution companies, regulators, and technology providers.

India now has the building blocks in place—proactive state regulations, successful pilot learnings, and a coordinated national vision. The path forward will require sustained collaboration, targeted capacity building, and data-driven planning to embed Demand Flexibility as a central pillar of India’s clean, affordable, and resilient power system.

The need for accelerated action on sustainable cooling and energy efficiency was on display at the SEforALL Global Forum on 12–13 March 2025 in Bridgetown, Barbados.

Champions and experts from Mission Efficiency, the Cool Coalition, Sustainable Energy for All, and implementing partners such as RMI highlighted scalable solutions to accelerate energy efficiency, expand access to sustainable cooling, and support the just energy transition in climate-vulnerable countries at the Barbados event.

Small islands, big solutions

Small Island Developing States (SIDS) face acute challenges from limited access to cooling, impacting livelihoods and resilience. Rising temperatures, coupled with a lack of reliable and affordable cooling solutions, exacerbate food spoilage, disrupt critical cold chains for fisheries and agriculture, and increase health risks from heat stress. This lack of access disproportionately affects vulnerable populations, especially those in SIDS, and hinders economic development.

In Bridgetown, a SIDS Ministerial on climate finance, energy transitions, and resilience highlighted the urgent need for sustainable cooling solutions to build climate-resilient economies. The 'Call to Action' issued by the Ministers and high-level representatives signalled their collective ambition to scale up access to sustainable cooling technologies, aligning with commitments made in the Global Cooling Pledge.

SIDS delegates also asked development partners to improve access to concessional financing and support strengthened regional cooperation to address climate vulnerabilities. In this context, mitigating the impacts of extreme heat in SIDS will be a key enabler of just and inclusive energy transitions.

Innovation for impact

At the Forum, RMI CEO Jon Creyts delivered a presentation on “Efficiency first: cooling without compromise,” where he elaborated on how doubling the pace of efficiency gains and tripling renewables capacity through 2030 can dramatically reduce emissions, ease pressure on power systems, and expand access to affordable, sustainable cooling for vulnerable populations.

In addition, he noted to the audience that rethinking cooling technologies is only the beginning while drumming up support for a systems-based approach to energy efficiency, including built environment, transportation, and heavy industries.

He highlighted several flagship initiatives that RMI is championing across the cooling sector, including the Global Cooling Prize—a global competition to reimagine residential air conditioning; Palava City, a living laboratory for cutting-edge energy efficiency solutions; and the Global Cooling Efficiency Accelerator, a coalition laying the foundation for next-generation, scalable cooling technologies.

Durodoluwa Femi-Ajala Co-founder of Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN), provided an overview of the CoolCycle project, which aims to create sustainable agro cold chains across Nigeria through solar-powered cold storage systems utilizing a 12-ton cold room powered by 15 kWp solar energy.

Global ambition

Brian Dean, Director of Energy Transition at SEforALL, spoke during the session on “Driving Ambition on Commitments To Just And Inclusive Energy Transitions.”

This session spotlighted key commitments on efficiency, the integration of renewable energy and battery storage into energy grids and sustainable cooling. It also drew on lessons from Brazil’s G20 Presidency and explored avenues to catalyze South Africa’s G20 leadership in advancing a people-centered energy transitions.

Outcomes included identifying opportunities to address critical barriers to implementing commitment frameworks in developing countries, including the Global Cooling Pledge, and spotlighting key efforts such as the SEforALL Grid Health Assessment for African countries. Notably, discussions revealed a significant financing gap hindering progress on energy efficiency commitments. Data indicates we are substantially behind projected investment levels needed to meet global efficiency goals.

To bridge this gap, discussions focused on strengthening multi-stakeholder collaboration and leveraging frameworks like NDCs and UN-Energy Compacts to drive implementation. Prioritizing energy efficiency and cooling solutions within NDCs and ensuring they can help attract adequate financing with concrete action plans was identified as a key next step ahead of COP30.

In conclusion, the SEforALL Global Forum in Barbados identified the need for faster and more effective financing to meet our commitments under the Global Cooling Pledge, the COP 28 Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge, and the Global Energy Storage and Grids Pledge.

As global temperatures continue to rise at an alarming rate, the demand for cooling has never been higher. In 35 African countries analysed in SEforALL’s Chilling Prospects 2023 report, 370 million people are at high risk due to a lack of access to cooling—53% are women, and 47% are men. In Nigeria, about 114 million people (53% of the population) are at high risk. This lack of cooling severely impacts key sectors such as agriculture, especially in countries like Nigeria, where many depend on farming to earn a living.

CoolCycle, a Youth Sustainable Development Network (YSDN) co-led initiative, aims to reduce post-harvest losses, enhance food security, and promote clean energy use, pioneering a transformative approach to Nigeria's agricultural sector by integrating renewable energy with cold storage technology, aiming to revolutionize food security and enhance livelihoods.

Through the successful deployment of a 12-ton walk-in, solar-powered cold storage facility and a pack house in Epe, a key agricultural hub in Lagos, the project has established a reliable and continuous energy supply. This is achieved via a robust solar energy system, comprising 24 units of 350-watt solar panels, a 7.5kVa hybrid inverter, and a 20kWh lithium-ion battery.

Epe was strategically selected due to its significant agricultural output and the pressing cooling infrastructure challenges identified by Eweko farmers. The local government's support further solidified Epe as an ideal location to address both environmental and agricultural needs.

Waste to wealth

To ensure this initiative’s success, CoolCycle tracks  energy consumption, temperature stability, food preservation rates, and end-user feedback. This data-driven approach will go a long way to ensure the system's efficiency and impact.

According to Mr. Saheed Adams- CEO, Eweko aggregate, Epe, Lagos, “Reducing post-harvest losses starts with the right infrastructure. The CoolCycle solution has provided cold storage support to over 50 farmers within the immediate community and is expanding to more than 200 potential farmers, reducing the post-harvest losses to about 5%.” Mr. Saheed Adams added that it supports jobs and economic development, noting that “over 20 job opportunities were created in post-harvest handling because of the CoolCycle solution, and it is growing as Eweko aggregate continues to connect farmers to efficient storage and market linkages, ensuring higher earnings, reduced food waste, and a more resilient food system.”

Farmers in Epe are projected to experience a significant reduction in post-harvest losses, with potential savings of up to 60% for crops like tomatoes. This translates to substantial financial gains, as spoilage-related losses can reach up to N1.4 million (GBP 703) annually for tomatoes alone.

“CoolCycle offers affordable weekly cold storage access for as low as N150 (GBP 0.075) per kilogram, eliminating prohibitive upfront costs”, said Damilola Hamid Balogun, CEO and Co-founder of YSDN, which co-implements the project. “This idea enhances accessibility while minimizing operational expenses through reliance on solar power,” added Damilola.

CoolCycle's solution also supports the circular economy by repurposing discarded generator casings, reduces emissions by displacing fossil fuels with solar-powered systems. Ultimately, it aims to showcase innovation in tackling food security through sustainable and scalable solutions.

To learn more about CoolCycle visit https://www.ze-gen.org/circularity-challenge/

To learn more cooling solutions for food, nutrition, and agriculture, click here.