Sustainable Energy for All in South Asia: The need, potential, challenges and solutions
Muhammad Naveed Iftikhar*
Fatima Najeeb**
Sardar Mohazzam***
Shahida Khan****
Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL) has considerable relevance for the energy situation in South Asia. In 2010, approximately 417 million people in South Asia did not have electricity, equivalent to more than a third of the world’s population without such access. The challenge of meeting energy demand is likely to get tougher as it will need to keep pace with an expanding population and growing economies. However, projected demand could be reduced substantially if energy efficient technologies are introduced and renewable energy potential exploited. Regional cooperation and trade may also enhance energy security in the region. Energy deficient economies could benefit by importing energy from neighbouring countries, and renewable resource rich countries could gain by attaining much needed capital to tap indigenous resources.

This position paper describes the current energy scenario and highlights renewable energy potential of South Asian countries; discusses the challenges faced in promoting energy efficiency and renewable energy; and recommends how governments, private sector, and civil society can contribute further to enhance access to more equitable, sustainable, and efficient energy throughout the region to achieve the goals under SE4ALL by 2030.
* Mr. Muhammad Naveed Iftikhar is working as Governance Advisor with public and international development organisations.
** Ms Fatima Najeeb is a development policy practitioner based in Islamabad and holds an Economics degree from  the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), Pakistan.
*** Mr. Sardar Mohazzam is a doctoral scholar at the Center for Energy and Environmental Policy (CEEP), University of Delaware, USA.
**** Ms Shahida Khan is working as an Intern at the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI), Islamabad, Pakistan.