If you were unable to join us for this webinar discussion on April 27, 2017, you can view the recording here.

This webinar is based on the recently published case study on the energy lending program of Saija Finance, one of the seven MFI partners receiving TA from the PACE-D TA Program. The webinar will share the insights and knowledge gained under the Program for a broader audience in India and beyond including MFIs, renewable energy companies, donors and investors.

In India, energy access is a huge challenge; 80 million households have little or no access to grid electricity due to the lack of grid access in certain geographies.  Providing quality, safe and reliable alternatives to kerosene and other traditional fuels means addressing two main challenges: distribution and affordability.

Microfinance institutions (MFIs) are ideally positioned to solve both of these challenges. They can offer innovative financing mechanisms that make lighting systems affordable, and, because of their client networks, can reach millions of people. At the same time, by offering energy loans, MFIs are able to diversify their portfolios and develop new business channels.

To develop profitable energy lending programs, MFIs need technical assistance (TA) to navigate the many potential hurdles along the way. The PACE-D TA Program works with several MFIs, energy solution providers, and other stakeholders to facilitate and scale up financing for energy access. To date, the Program has reached over 1.3 million household members across nine states in India.

Arc’s Managing Director Nicola Armacost participated at the 2017 Sustainable Energy for All Forum in New York. During the event kicking off the launch of the Energy Access Practitioner Network online survey, Niki addressed the need for comprehensive, well thought out strategies for financing clean energy. On the Forum’s last day of activities, Niki shared her experiences of how energy practitioners are pushing boundaries and creating opportunities that result in broader economic and development gains. Niki focused her discussion on the ways that women are gaining agency through control and usage of clean energy products, as well as challenges entailed in working with this demographic.