Emerging nations can overcome energy poverty by using affordable, small-scale electric technologies like solar and batteries to bypass expensive and unreliable fossil fuel systems, according to the authors of the newly released report. This electric fast-track allows communities to gain power in small, manageable steps rather than waiting for massive infrastructure projects that may never reach them.
The report states that “Unlike the centralised, capital-heavy systems of the fossil era, solar and batteries can be installed in small, affordable increments. This enables households to climb the energy ladder one step at a time.”
In the past, getting electricity usually meant waiting for a government to build massive power plants and run expensive wires over hundreds of miles, which many poor areas simply could not afford. Now, families can start small by buying a single solar panel and a light, then adding more pieces like batteries as they save money. This step-by-step approach makes getting power a realistic goal for people who were previously priced out of the traditional energy market.
The report “The electric fast-track for emerging markets” was published globally by energy think tank Ember, in partnership with the Climate Vulnerable Forum, on 2 April 2026. Authored by a team including Daan Walter and Sam Butler-Sloss, the analysis details how developing nations can bypass fossil fuel reliance through scalable and affordable electric technologies.
