The State of Affairs
In today’s economy, abundant electricity is the single biggest determinant of economic opportunity. In the 21st century, prosperity, security, and dignity all come through an electrical outlet. Every major development goal — from health and education to jobs and food security — now depends on reliable, affordable, sustainable, and abundant electricity. But still, more than 730 million people lack access to basic electricity, and billions more don’t have enough reliable, affordable and ‘always on’ energy to power basic economic activities.
Universal energy abundance means access to reliable, affordable and sustainable energy for everyone, everywhere.
We believe achieving universal energy abundance is one of the most important and effective investments we can make to advance human dignity and opportunity in the 21st century.
Why It Matters
- >0BillionBillion
people face energy shortfalls
including 730 million without access to any electricity worldwide
- 0%%
of people in sub-Saharan Africa
the continent with the lowest access rate, are without electricity today
- 0
countries where average daily
residential electricity use per person is less than the energy required to power an air conditioner for one hour
Our Strategy
- 1 Scaling impact on the ground through the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet: We’re taking urgent action to accelerate energy access and achieve universal energy abundance. We made the biggest bet in The Rockefeller Foundation's history in the Global Energy Alliance, to build transformative partnerships to unleash a renewable energy revolution for households, communities and economies.
- 2 Spurring Innovation in Energy Systems and Technology: We’re helping countries take charge of their energy future by supporting innovations in distributed renewable energy and on-grid technologies that modernize power systems and create economic transformation, including improving grid reliability and increasing baseload power through renewable energy.
Featured Content
- A recent analysis by Bayesian Energy, supported by The Rockefeller Foundation, examines how next generation nuclear technologies could help emerging economies meet rapidly rising electricity demand and provide communities with clean, reliable, and affordable power.
- Projects deployed by the Global Energy Alliance will contribute to delivering new and improved energy access for 10 million people and supporting jobs and livelihoods for an additional 2 million people.
- Lack of reliable power is a leading constraint to job creation and economic growth, particularly for less developed regions like sub-Saharan Africa and Asia. The Modern Energy Minimum lays out the amount of energy needed to pull people out of poverty and into the middle class. Set at 1,000kWh it correlates with an income of at least $2,500 per year or about $6.85 per day.
Related Grants
Through our partner Global Energy Alliance (GEA), we work to unlock renewable energy access in emerging economies.
Impact Stories
We are dedicated to equitably expanding clean energy and jobs globally.
Recent News
- Apr 14 2026Center on Global Energy Policy, Rockefeller Foundation Create New High-Level Panel on Universal Energy Abundance
- Mar 31 2026Mission 300 Launches Private Sector Council to Boost Electricity Access and Job Creation in Africa
- Mar 19 2026Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance Invest More Than US$100 Million To Expand Electricity in Africa
