More than 500 leading renewable energy experts are taking part in the third International Off-Grid Renewable Energy Conference which opened on October first in Nairobi, Kenya. Organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency, the two-day conference aims to boost electricity access through the development of off-grid renewable, Trade Arabia reported. Today, roughly 15% of the world’s population lives without electricity, but off-grid solutions can provide an estimated 60% 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. "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.
