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Energy

Introduction

The energy snapshot module is focused on data that can be used to shape energy markets, support the public and private sectors in planning grids and micro-grids, as well as innovate the provision of clean energy and the creation of smart grids. Specific data governance frameworks are needed to protect consumer data.

This module draws on both primary indicators and secondary data sources to assess the availability of energy data focused around:

  • generation (primary indicator);
  • distribution (primary indicator);
  • consumption (secondary source).

Prospective Indicators

Energy Data and the Public Good

The UN's Sustainable Development Goal 7 calls for ensuring access to affordable, reliable, sustainable, and modern energy for all. Data can be a key tool for tracking progress toward achieving this goal. Moreover, the creation and use of data itself relies upon access to, and the reliability of, energy supplies.

Energy sectors consistently produce some of the largest shares of a country's emissions. Consequently, data about generation, distribution, and consumption are important both for improving equitable access to energy and for empowering climate action (SDG 13). Energy data can help support clean energy innovation and the clean energy transition. As modern energy systems rely heavily on networked infrastructure, access and distribution are fundamentally entwined. Access to energy, as well as the energy sector more broadly, has wide gender inequities, and consequently, the World Bank (2017) and others have called for mainstreaming gender throughout energy positions, policies, and data. Energy data can help support SDG 5: achieve gender equality and empower all women and girls, particularly in conjunction with alleviating time poverty.

Module Development Notes

The development of this module has drawn upon the Open Up Guide on Climate Action and has paid particular attention to gendered dimensions of energy access.